Who was the better basketball player: Larry Bird or Magic Johnson?
Which is the better-tasting ice cream flavor: vanilla or chocolate?
Which is the better asset-based strategy for trading commodities: options or futures?
The answer to the first two questions is obviously debatable and you’ll find strong opinions on both sides.
The answer to the third question, while you’ll certainly find personal preferences based on each asset’s risks, can also be debated from the standpoint of what specific market you’re following, the price change you’re expecting that market to experience and the timeframe within which you expect that price change.
Adding additional complexity to this, there is the concept of “chocolate/vanilla swirl,” whereby you can conclude that trading a combination of both positions is the answer to the question.
A classic and simple example is going long a futures contract and buying a close-to-the-money put option to use as protection rather than placing a stop loss order.
Now that I’ve danced long enough around the question, let me try an answer in a more specific way:
- For short-term trades in futures trading – mainly day trading – I prefer futures over options.
- For LONG-term trades – possibly trend following trades – I like futures over options.
- For swing trading, I like to use a combination of futures with options.
- In volatile markets, I personally like to use options over futures.
- Ahead of big reports, I normally prefer options over futures.
For THINNER, less liquid markets, keep an eye out for the spread between the assets bid and ask spread. Make sure you investigate if that specific market is suitable for options.
When I have a trade in mind where I think the odds of the market going my way are less than 45% BUT if there is a move my way and it might be pretty powerful, I will use options over futures.
A trader should understand the use of both trading vehicles - both the outright futures contracts, which are more “black and white,” as well as how to utilize options. The latter have time value, volatility and the underlying contract act as factors.
I will also add that one can create much more advanced strategies which involve option spreads, selling option premium, going long /short the futures and selling options against the positions and much more. Futures trading offers many different ways to both make and lose money….
Based on the above, I failed to answer the topic question as the answer will vary based on the investor, the market, the trade set up and many other factors. Learn more by visiting our
Options 101 educational piece.
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Important: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss. The recommendations contained in this letter are of opinion only and do not guarantee any profits. There is not an actual account trading these recommendations. These are risky markets and only risk capital should be used. Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.