Investor Glossary-naked optionInsightful stock market charts - Click here

 # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     
Term of the Day Email this Definition Link to this Definition

Naked Option


A naked option is an option contract that creates potentially significant exposure because the option writer does not have an offsetting position. For instance, if an investor sells a call option for a stock without owning shares of that stock, the call is said to be a naked option. If the call option is exercised, the naked option writer must buy shares at the market price, no matter how high, then sell those shares at the strike price. This type of naked option is sometimes called an uncovered call. Similarly, the uncovered put is a naked option contract in which the writer does not have a short position in the asset. If the put is exercised, the writer of this naked option will be forced to buy shares for above market price. A naked option can be extremely profitable provided the price of the underlying moves in the right direction. Writing a naked option is an extremely speculative investment.

Rate this naked option definition...

               


Where is the market headed? The answer may surprise you. Find out
right now with the exclusive & Barron's recommended charts of Chart of the Day.


Popular Terms: EBITDA, liquidity ratio, 401a, deferred tax, command economy, 144a, per diem, margin rate, deferred revenue, required rate of return, cancelled check, open position, stock split, ex-dividend, implied volatility, in escrow, irrevocable trust, limit order, quality assurance, risk management, 1035 exchange, Key Rate Duration, class C shares, current ratio, Zero Cost Collar, 1031 exchange, wholly-owned subsidiary, VIX, reverse mortgage, retained earnings, phantom income, option premium, minority interest, labor relations, ex-dividend date, covered put, real GDP, LIBOR, inflation, dividends payable, diluted share, debt service coverage, balance sheet, APR, equities, average price per share, FICO score, FTSE, stock market close


Home | Term of the Day | Tell a Friend | Suggest a Term | Edit Subscriber Detail
Accounting | Banking | Bonds | Brokers | Economy | Futures | Mutual Funds | Options | Real Estate | Retirement | Stocks | Taxes | Technical Analysis
©2004-2009 Investor Glossary - All rights reserved - Terms of Use