What is options trading?

Options trading involves buying and selling contracts that give the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specified price before a certain date. These contracts are known as 'options' and are commonly used for hedging risk or for speculative purposes. There are two main types of options: calls (which allow buying the asset) and puts (which allow selling the asset). Options trading can be complex and carries significant risk, so it's important to understand the strategies and risks involved before participating.