An average rate option is a type of option contract in which the pay-out depends on the average price of an underlying asset over a period. Investors often use average rate options to hedge against market volatility or to speculate on the future movement of the price of an asset. They can be used in various financial markets, such as the forex and commodity markets.
Traders may choose to purchase average rate options instead of regular options for a few reasons:
Reduced risk: Average rate options that span several months can iron out the impact of short-term price fluctuations, reducing the risk of volatility.
More flexibility: Average rate options can be customised to meet the needs of traders and have more flexibility in terms of exercise price, giving traders more freedom to use complex strategies.
Lower costs: Average rate options generally have lower premiums compared to regular options, making them more appealing to traders who want to limit their transaction costs.
Commodity traders can use average rate options to speculate on the price of assets over a period. For example, a trader can purchase an average rate option on gold with a strike price of $2,000 and an expiry date of four months. The option contract would pay out based on the average price of gold over those four months.
If the average price of gold in the four-month period is $2,500, the investor can realise a profit $500 – the difference between the average price and the strike price. However, if the average price of gold in the period is less than $2,000, the trader can instead let the option contract expire worthless.
ADSS offers a range of global markets for traders, with CFD opportunities in indices, commodities, forex, equities and more. We also feature tutorials, how-to guides, and weekly webinars to help you navigate the financial markets and find better trading opportunities. You can start trading and investing online by opening a live trading or demo trading account.