HFM information and reviews
HFM
96%
FXCC information and reviews
FXCC
92%
FxPro information and reviews
FxPro
89%
FBS information and reviews
FBS
88%
Vantage information and reviews
Vantage
85%
XM information and reviews
XM
82%

Short Selling vs. Puts: An In-depth Analysis of Market-Contrarian Strategies


Sandro Pontedra   Written by Sandro Pontedra

Navigating the intricate landscape of the stock market can be overwhelming for newcomers. Amidst a sea of financial jargon, you may have come across terms like "short selling" and "puts" without a clear understanding of their implications. Interestingly, while most investors buy low to sell high, these strategies open the door to profit from anticipated declines in stock prices.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the realms of short selling and puts, explaining their mechanics, risks, benefits, and the rich history of traders who've masterfully wielded these tools to amass fortunes.

A Prelude to Contrarian Trading

For many, the default mode of investing is to buy a stock, anticipate a rise in its value, and then sell it for a profit. This strategy, commonly referred to as 'taking a long position', hinges on a bullish market sentiment. However, savvy investors recognize that markets don’t just go up; they also come down. Two primary tools to capitalize on these declining markets are short selling and puts.

Historically, luminaries like George Soros earned a whopping one billion dollars by short selling the British pound. Similarly, Michael Burry brilliantly shorted the mortgage bond market, earning a staggering hundred million dollars for himself and an additional seven hundred million for his investors.

So, what's the magic behind these strategies?

Unraveling Short Selling

For instance, if a trader borrows and sells a stock at $100 and buys it back when its price falls to $80, they make a profit of $20 per share.

However, short selling comes with its unique set of challenges:

Introducing Put Options

For instance, if an investor buys a put option with a strike price of $100, and the stock plummets to $80, they can sell the stock for $100, securing a $20 profit per share (minus the premium paid).

Benefits:

Contrasting Short Selling and Puts

Both short selling and puts offer avenues to profit in bearish market conditions. However, as with all investment strategies, they carry risks. Prioritizing diligent research, leveraging technical analysis, and staying attuned to market dynamics are pivotal to maneuvering these tools effectively. Remember, the goal isn't just to swim against the tide but to do so with precision and strategy.

Unraveling Profit Potential, Risks, and Decision Making in Bearish Strategies

Profit Potential and Inherent Risks

In the realm of bearish strategies, both short selling and put options are critical tools. They share similar profit potentials when deployed correctly. However, it's essential to highlight the temporal distinction between them. Put options come with an expiration date, setting a boundary on the timeframe of potential profitability. Short selling, if maneuvered carefully with risk management tools and sufficient margin, can remain open for an extended period.

But what about the risks? With put options, the potential loss is confined to the premium paid. Short selling, on the other hand, requires a closer look. Theoretically, the losses can be infinite if market dynamics aren't in your favor and risk management tools like stop losses aren't employed.

Cost Variables

Dissecting the cost factors, several variables come into play. The choice of broker is paramount. While some brokers might lean towards fixed spreads with short selling, others may fluctuate based on market volatility. For put options, costs are primarily upfront and defined. However, short selling, especially with ever-shifting spreads, demands a more intricate cost projection and understanding.

Unraveling Commissions, Fees, and Margin Costs

Commissions and fees can widely differ depending on the broker you choose. Transparency is a desirable trait; firms like PrimeXBT, for instance, not only publish their fees but are also known for competitive rates. Margins become crucial in short selling and depend on factors such as leverage, underlying asset, and margin type.

Market Dynamics and Their Impact

For those wielding bearish strategies, understanding the pulse of the market is pivotal. Employing momentum or volume indicators can discern strong trends from potential reversals. But remember, while technical analysis is potent, it's not all-encompassing. Current events, fresh news, and upcoming market shifts can sway the dynamics. Hence, staying informed and receptive is the key to success in this arena.

Volatility, Liquidity, and Their Interplay

Volatility is a double-edged sword. While it can spell potential profit, it can also signify lurking risks, especially for short sellers who might get caught in sudden price reversals. Put options have a degree of insulation unless they're nearing expiration. High liquidity, a sign of market stability, minimizes slippage risks, making bearish strategies operate smoother.

Trading, irrespective of the strategy, has tax implications. Capital gains or profits from investments are typically taxable. Hence, it's wise to liaise with local authorities or financial experts to ensure compliance.

Deciding on the Right Strategy

The ideal strategy harmoniously blends multiple variables—profit potential, market conditions, risk tolerance, and timing. It's about adaptability. Put options, for instance, are ideal for hedging during bear markets. In contrast, short selling, with its unlimited profit potential, might be the route for those with a higher risk threshold.

Bearish markets aren't devoid of opportunities. Whether you opt for put options for their defined risks and expiry-driven approach or prefer the unlimited potential of short selling, both strategies can be highly rewarding when employed with insight and prudence.

FAQs


RELATED

Synthetic and Crypto Currency: What Are They, How to Create and Use Them

The set of trading tools that NordFX offers to its clients is a whole arsenal that allows a trader to apply the most effective strategies and win on the fields...

Libertex: Dash Price Prediction for 2021-2025

At one point, investments in Dash were highly profitable. Many traders received significant gains from the Dash cryptocurrency when the price action surpassed the $1,500...

How did investors survive the crises of past decades?

The world indexes have never fallen so quickly and strongly before. The financial crisis that has begun is unique for its trigger - it was caused by a virus COVID-19...

Is Ripple a good investment and can you profit on XRP in 2020?

Cryptocurrency trading has become a big business and is extremely popular for people just entering into the trading space, as well as for major institutional traders...

Ethereum trading in 2020: step-by-step guide

The Ethereum cryptocurrency is an open software platform based on blockchain technology that allows developers to create and release decentralized applications...

Elevate Your Trading Game with ModMount's Index CFDs

If you're ready to showcase your financial acumen in optimal trading conditions, ModMount invites you to explore the dynamic world of Index Contracts for Difference (CFDs)...

Advantages and disadvantages of forex rebate

If you are really concerned about your profit on the forex market you should definitely use one of the mayor forex rebate providers...

ETFs vs Mutual Funds: Similarities, Differences and the Know-Hows

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds have a lot in common. These two funds both pool investor investments into a combination of securities such as bonds, commodities, and stocks...

Analyzing Cryptocurrencies: Key Notions

Today few professionals can boast of an impeccable trading process with cryptocurrencies - there are many nuances. In our article...

Dealing With Volatility: What Is VIX Index?

Volatility is a great factor when it comes to trading and the market. Hence, market indicators were developed to help traders quantify the volatility expectations of the market...

All You Need to Know About Trading in the Best UK Penny Stocks in 2021

Ford, JD Sports, and Monster Beverage were among the many well-known firms that once traded for less than 1 pound a share. Those who bought these businesses...

Wrapped Bitcoin and relationship with Ethereum explained

The cryptocurrency industry and both the Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems are rapidly evolving, and have come to the point of converging together as Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)...

Top Tech Trends of the Future for Trading

Tech development impacts our daily lives as well as traders’ profits. Technologies change rapidly, creating new opportunities in everyday routine and the stock market...

Secrets of Successful Forex Gold Trading

Most beginners and intermediate traders when choosing financial instruments for trading limit themselves to currency pairs. Today, many Forex brokers...

Copy trading: tap into the knowledge of top-performing traders and earn money

To be a successful Forex trader, you need to have extensive experience and knowledge of financial markets. But what if you are a novice trader who is just getting started?

How to Invest in Facebook Stock with Libertex

Facebook is now a popular social media platform all over the world. Aside from that, Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) is now one of the biggest companies...

Currency Pairs and Stocks: A Comparative Analysis

Currency pairs and stocks are the most popular assets for day trading, long-term, and medium-term investing. The daily turnover volume on Forex exceeds $5 trillion...

US Stock Indices: The Past and the Present

There is a saying in the world of finance: "America will sneeze, but the whole world will catch a cold." But what is the way to determine how serious...

How Can You Best Trade Free Float Stocks?

Understanding free float and the main features of their subgroup, low float stocks, is important to many traders. This article provides essential information on this topic to help them...

Trading opportunities during the football world championship

The world football championship is fast approaching. Fans around the world are already thinking about how to best spend their time during this event, and soon...

FP Markets information and reviews
FP Markets
81%
RoboForex information and reviews
RoboForex
77%
IronFX information and reviews
IronFX
77%
T4Trade information and reviews
T4Trade
76%
Exness information and reviews
Exness
76%
Just2Trade information and reviews
Just2Trade
76%

© 2006-2025 Forex-Ratings.com

The usage of this website constitutes acceptance of the following legal information.
Any contracts of financial instruments offered to conclude bear high risks and may result in the full loss of the deposited funds. Prior to making transactions one should get acquainted with the risks to which they relate. All the information featured on the website (reviews, brokers' news, comments, analysis, quotes, forecasts or other information materials provided by Forex Ratings, as well as information provided by the partners), including graphical information about the forex companies, brokers and dealing desks, is intended solely for informational purposes, is not a means of advertising them, and doesn't imply direct instructions for investing. Forex Ratings shall not be liable for any loss, including unlimited loss of funds, which may arise directly or indirectly from the usage of this information. The editorial staff of the website does not bear any responsibility whatsoever for the content of the comments or reviews made by the site users about the forex companies. The entire responsibility for the contents rests with the commentators. Reprint of the materials is available only with the permission of the editorial staff.
We use cookies to improve your experience and to make your stay with us more comfortable. By using Forex-Ratings.com website you agree to the cookies policy.