How do you make money by betting the stock market will go down?
Ive only done regular stock purchases and sales before with my account. How do I go about in essence playing the stock market and betting it will go down? Are there any good websites to learn how to do this? Any keywords I can search? Thanks for any help!
So I dont get it… I do a put option on a specific stock?
Question posted by: shirt
Answer
To make money by betting that the stock market will go down, you can use a financial instrument called a “put option.” A put option is a contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell an underlying asset (in this case, a stock) at a specified price within a specified time frame. Put options increase in value as the price of the underlying asset decreases, so if you correctly predict that the stock market will go down, you can profit from this decrease in value.
To purchase a put option, you would need to open an account with a brokerage firm that offers options trading. There are many reputable online brokerage firms that offer options trading, such as TD Ameritrade, E-Trade, and Charles Schwab. Once you have opened an account, you can search for put options on the specific stocks that you believe will decline in value.
To find information on how to trade options and learn more about the process, you can search for keywords such as “options trading,” “put options,” or “betting against the stock market” online. There are also many educational resources available, such as books, online courses, and webinars, that can help you learn more about options trading and how to profit from a declining stock market.
It’s important to keep in mind that options trading can be complex and risky, and it’s important to understand the potential risks and rewards before getting started. It’s a good idea to do your research and start with small trades until you feel comfortable with the process. Additionally, it’s important to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to understand the potential tax implications of options trading.
You can buy put options or short the stock. If you open an acoount with optionsxpress.com they have a education section that will teach u all the bearish and bullish strategies.
Currently I have 15 short positions and have 2 long put positions.
Life is good.
Remember when you buy long you know how much you can lose, when you short you have unlimited liability
You can short or purchase put options on market indexes such as DIA (Dow Jones Industrials), SPY (S&P500), or QQQQ (Nasdaq 100).
I’m a futures trader, and trade the mini dow or YM. Check out You can sign up for a free daily news letter, and John Carter provides daily updates on the markets he is trading.
You can trade futures using a number of brokers. I use Tradestation for sharting and Infinity for order execution.
If you are based in the UK, you can also spread bet the stock indexes, as well as commodities and individual stocks, and it is tax free.
For spread betting, check out, or
As long as you have a good trading plan and good money management, you can make some good money whether the stock market goes up or down. Shorting the market is not more risky than going long, just make sure you have a stop in place, the same as going long…
Good luck!