Options
We offer a full range of online options on stock indices, currencies, interest rates, commodities and individual shares. All your option trading can be done online or over the phone.
An option is a type of derivative, that is, a financial instrument which is derived from the price of a different instrument. At IG Index we offer bets on two types of option, calls and puts:
- A call option is the right to buy a particular market at a fixed level on or before a fixed date. For example, the December US SPX500 futures 1500 call is the right to buy December SPX500 futures at 1500 (the 'strike price') on or before a particular day in December.
- A put option is the right to sell a market at a fixed level on or before a fixed date. For example, a September 1.9500 British Pound/$ put is the right to sell the British Pound/$ at 1.9500 on or before a date in September.
Options will be offered at a range of different strike prices, and option trades can be made in either direction. The price of an option is based on the level of the underlying market relative to the strike price, and the time the option has left to expiry.
It is important to remember that, with IG Index, options can never be exercised. You are only betting on their value.