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Options vs ETFs Explained

What Is the Difference Between Options and ETFs? Options and ETFs both give you exposure to financial markets but they work in completely different ways. An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a straightforward investment that holds a basket of assets and trades on a stock exchange — when you buy an ETF you own a proportional share of everything it holds. An option is a financial contract that gives you the right — but not the obligation — to buy or sell an underlying asset at a fixed price before a set expiry date. The key difference is that ETFs are designed for long-term investing with no expiry and no complexity around pricing, while options are time-limited contracts with more sophisticated pricing dynamics suited to experienced traders.

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