When you purchase an options contract, you're purchasing the right to buy or sell a stock (or other security) at a set price. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our ...

Stock options are contracts that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific number of shares of a company's stock at a predetermined price within a set time period.

Options are short-term securities. The expiration date for most options can range from a few days to a few months. So, investors must make a decision towards the end of the options contract. If you ...