A long position in investing
In investing, taking a long position involves purchasing a security with the expectation that the price will rise. This method fits into an investment strategy known as passive or buy-and-hold investing. Going long or buying (often used interchangeably) is a bullish action for an investor to take. In short, being a bull or having a bullish attitude stems from a belief that an asset’s value will increase. As a result, you will be able to sell it for a higher cost, reaping a profit. A long position is a preferred strategy for most individual investors. Indeed, it takes less effort to manage once you have chosen and purchased the stock. Beginners’ corner:
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Pros and cons of a long position
A long position in options trading
Options are a contract giving you the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) a security at a fixed price before a predetermined date. Long positions in options trading can be divided into long calls or long puts.
A long call option grants the buyer the right to buy shares of a stock at a preset (today’s) price in the future and profit by selling it on the stock market at the then-higher price. The investor believes the price will go up in the future, expressing a bullish sentiment on the underlying stock; A long put option grants the buyer the right to sell shares of stock at a preset price in the future. The holder of a long put option assumes the price of an asset will fall, and purchasing a long put option contract gives them the right to sell shares of that stock in the future for today’s (higher) price. A long put option expresses a bearish sentiment on the underlying stock.
Long call options are more common, while long put options are often used in tandem with a long position as a hedge. In short, the long position holder owns the underlying asset and hopes the price will appreciate, but if it doesn’t, the long put acts as insurance coverage, offering a chance to sell in case of a price slump.
Long call option example
You predict stock X, selling today for $100 a share, will be worth more in a few months. So you purchase a long call option contract (100 shares), set to expire in three months, at a strike (preset) price of $100 per share and a premium of $2 per share for the option itself. Stock X does as you predicted, and shares are worth $150 a piece in two months. So if you exercise your option, buy 100 shares at $100 each, and sell them for $150 each, you make a profit of $4,800 ($15,000-$10,000-$200).
Long put option example
Conversely, if you believe stock X will decline in a couple of months. Then, you purchase a long put option contract, also set to expire in three months, at a strike price of $100 and a premium of $2 per share. Stock X does as you expected, and in two months, shares are selling for $50. So you buy 100 shares at $50 each, exercise your option, and sell them for $100 each, making a solid gain of $4,800.
A long position in futures contracts
A futures contract is a derivative contract that obligates the holder to buy or sell a particular stock, commodity, or financial instrument at a set price at a predetermined date. Investors and businesses (called hedgers in futures trading) can enter into a futures contract to hedge against adverse price movements. An investor expects to profit from a rise in the underlying security price (long position) by purchasing the right to buy. For example, a company can employ a long hedge to lock in a purchase price today to lessen market volatility between now and when goods are delivered or received. Speculators also go long on futures contracts when they believe the asset’s value will increase to capitalize on the price movement.
Futures long position example (hedging strategy)
Let’s imagine a jewelry manufacturer that anticipates the price of silver to increase in the short term. As a result, the establishment enters into a long futures contract with its supplier to purchase silver in two months at $700. In two months, whether the price is above or below $700, the company with a long position on silver futures is obligated to purchase the silver from the supplier at the predetermined contract price of $700. The supplier, in turn, is bound to deliver the physical commodity when the contract expires.
In conclusion
To sum up, all types of long positions are bullish strategies because you are purchasing a stock that you predict will increase in value. The bottom line is that you think your investment, be it the underlying stock, stock option, or futures contracts, will, in time, prove to be a gainer.
