Investors and traders interested in the foreign exchange market have a variety of products from which to choose. Options , which are typically associated with the stock market , can also be applied to the forex market.

This article will briefly explain what forex options are, and provide an introduction to how the various Greeks are used to determine risk and evaluate options positions. For more, see Using "The Greeks" To Understand Options. An Introduction To The Greeks. Forex Options Forex options provide exposure to rate movements in some of the most widely traded currencies, using the same techniques that investors use for equity and index options.

Like other options, forex options are used by traders to limit risk and increase profit potential. Traditional options give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an option from a seller at a predetermined price and time. Traditional options generally have lower premiums than SPOT options. SPOT options allow traders to guess price activity for a specified date in the future; if the trader is correct, he or she will receive a cash payout.

Both traditional and SPOT options incur a premium - the total cost of the option. One of the fundamental analysis techniques used in options trading - whether for stocks, futures or forex - is the Greeks: For more, see Getting To Know The "Greeks.

Delta - Sensitivity to Underlying's Price Delta, the most popular options Greek, measures an option's price sensitivity relative to changes in its underlying asset's price, and is the number of points that an option's price is expected to move for each one point change in the underlying market.

Delta is important because it provides an indication of how the option's value will change with respect to price fluctuations in the underlying instrument, assuming all other variables remain the same. Delta is typically shown as a numerical value between 0.

In other words, option delta will always be positive for calls and negative for puts. It should be noted that delta values can also be represented as whole numbers between 0.

Option (finance) - Wikipedia

Call options that are out-of-the-money will have delta values approaching 0. For related reading, see Using Options Tools To Trade Foreign-Exchange Spot. Vega - Sensitivity to Underlying's Volatility Volatility is a measurement of the amount and speed at which price moves up and down, and is frequently based on changes in the recent highest and lowest historical prices in a trading instrument, such as a currency pair.

Vega , the only Greek that is not represented by a Greek letter, measures an option's sensitivity to changes in the volatility of the underlying asset. Vega represents the amount that an option's price changes in response to a one percent change in volatility of the underlying market. The more time that there is until expiration, the more impact increased volatility will have on the option's price. Because increased volatility implies that the underlying instrument is more likely to experience extreme values, a rise in volatility will correspondingly increase the value of an option and, conversely, a decrease in volatility will negatively affect the value of the option.

For related reading, see Options On Futures: A World Of Potential Profit. Gamma - Sensitivity to Delta Gamma measures the sensitivity of delta in response to price changes in the underlying instrument. Since delta values change at different rates, gamma is used to measure and analyze delta. Gamma is used to determine how stable an option's delta is; higher gamma values indicate that delta could change dramatically in response to even small movements in the underlying's price.

Gamma increases as options become in-the-money, and decrease as options become in- or out-of-the-money. Gamma values are generally smaller the further away the date of expiration: As expiration approaches, gamma values are typically larger as delta changes have more impact.

For related reading, see Rolling LEAP Options. Theta - Sensitivity to Time Decay Theta measures the time decay of an option - the theoretical dollar amount that an option loses every day as time passes, assuming there are no changes in either the price or volatility of the underlying. Theta increases when options are at-the-money; theta decreases when options are in- and out-of-the money.

Long calls and long puts will usually have negative theta; short calls and short puts will have positive theta. By comparison, an instrument's whose value is not eroded by time, such as a stock, would have zero theta.

The value of an option can be expressed as its intrinsic value and time value. The intrinsic value represents the dollar value gained if the option were exercised immediately: An option's time value, on the other hand, is a function of the time remaining until expiration and how close the option's strike price is to underlying's price. The time decay that theta represents is not constant; the rate increases as expiration nears. For related reading, see The Ins And Outs Of Selling Options.

The Forex Greeks And Strategies

Using the Greeks in Forex Options Strategies Similarly to stock options , forex options can be used to either make money or reduce risk in existing positions. Options provide a means to enter the foreign exchange market with limited risk: The upside potential can be far greater than any loss of premium, making a favorable risk-to-reward ratio. Forex options are also used to hedge against existing foreign exchange positions.

Because forex options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the currency pair at a specific exchange rate and time in the future, they can be employed to protect against potential losses in existing positions. Whether a trader is long or short a foreign currency pair, forex options can be used to protect the trader from risk, while giving the existing position room to move without getting stopped out.

For more, see Offset Risk With Options, Futures, And Hedge Funds. The Bottom Line The Greeks are an important tool for all options traders, and can be helpful in identifying and avoiding risk in individual options positions or in options portfolios. The Greeks can be applied in complex strategies involving mathematical modeling, generally using software that is available through trading platforms or proprietary vendors.

Alternatively, forex options traders may use just one or two of the Greeks to confirm investing decisions.

Because of their complexity, the Greeks demand patience and practice in order to fully realize their potential as part of an overall options strategy. Using the Greeks for any type of options analysis can help traders determine an option's sensitivity to price and volatility changes, and to the passage of time. For more, see The Basics Of Buying Options. This article is an introduction to advanced trading concepts, and is not intended to serve as a comprehensive guide to trading options.

Options are complicated and should be thoroughly studied and understood prior to engaging in any actual trades or positions. Traders and investors should consult a broker , financial advisor or other qualified financial professional before placing any trades. Dictionary Term Of The Day.

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This Mistake Could Cost You Guides Stock Basics Economics Basics Options Basics Exam Prep Series 7 Exam CFA Level 1 Series 65 Exam. Sophisticated content for financial advisors around investment strategies, industry trends, and advisor education. The Forex Greeks And Strategies By Jean Folger Share. An Introduction To The Greeks Forex Options Forex options provide exposure to rate movements in some of the most widely traded currencies, using the same techniques that investors use for equity and index options.

Foreign exchange option - Wikipedia

These risk-exposure measurements help traders detect how sensitive a specific trade is to price, volatility and time decay. Find out how you can use the "Greeks" to guide your options trading strategy and help balance your portfolio. Stocks are not the only securities underlying options. Learn how to use FOREX options for profit and hedging. A thorough understanding of risk is essential in options trading. So is knowing the factors that affect option price.

Options can be an excellent addition to a portfolio. Find out how to get started. Futures contracts are available for all sorts of financial products, from equity indexes to precious metals. Trading options based on futures means buying call or put options based on the direction Options are available for trading in almost every type of investment that trades in a market. Most investors are familiar Understand how options may be used in both bullish and bearish markets, and learn the basics of options pricing and certain Learn about delta and gamma hedging options, why gamma is a better metric to use to hedge and how gamma can be used with Learn about investing in put options and the associated risks.

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FOREX Pip Calculation | Profit and Loss - P/L Calculation

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