What is CALL OPTION?
Imagine you're buying a ticket that lets you buy something later at a set price. That's kind of like a CALL option. It's a bet that the price of something, like a stock, will go UP. If it does, you can buy it at the cheaper price and make money!
What is PUT OPTION?
Now imagine you're buying a ticket that lets you SELL something later at a set price. That's a PUT option. It's a bet that the price of something will go DOWN. If it does, you can sell it at the higher price you locked in and make money!
Key Differences
The main difference is which way you think the price will go. CALL options are for when you're hoping things get more expensive. PUT options are for when you're expecting things to get cheaper. Think of it like this: CALL = UP, PUT = DOWN. Another difference is how you make money. With a CALL, you want the price to go ABOVE a certain level. With a PUT, you want the price to go BELOW a certain level. Finally, both options cost money to buy. If you're wrong about which way the price will go, you lose the money you spent on the option.
When to Use Each One
Let's say your favorite toy company is about to release a super cool new toy. You think everyone will want it, and their stock price will go up. You might buy a CALL option on their stock. If the price goes up like you thought, you make money! But if the toy is a flop, and the stock price goes down, you lose the money you paid for the option. Now, imagine there's a big storm coming, and you think people will stop going to the movies. You might buy a PUT option on a movie theater company's stock. If fewer people go to the movies and the stock price goes down, you make money!
The Bottom Line
CALL and PUT options are ways to bet on whether the price of something will go up or down. CALL options are for when you think the price will rise, and PUT options are for when you think the price will fall. They can be a fun way to learn about investing, but it's important to understand the risks before you start. Always ask a grown-up for help!