Stocks Options

Spread betting is a risky game of trading in which you can lose more than you have in your account. That's because of leverage. Every time you buy or sell a market, you just need a small fraction of your total trade – a margin, which can be as low as 1-2%. If the market goes against you quickly, then you could be in trouble. That's what most people think – but are they correct? Spread betting has in fact some risks, and losing more than what you have in your account is a real possibility, but depending on your provider and on the type of trades you carry, it can be a really low one. Before going broke, there is a margin call trigger, in which most providers will automatically start closing positions you have in your account until the margin is again satisfied.

On CNBC's Options Action, Mike Khouw suggested that investors should consider a long position in Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC). He explained that Intel (INTC) struggled recently, but usually it bottoms around 9.5 times earnings. Intel (INTC) is currently trading at 9.6 earnings, and Mike Khouw thinks that it would be a good idea to have a long position in this stock. He thinks that it is better to use options to make that purchase. Specifically, Mike Khouw wants to buy the May 20 call for $0.40. The break even for this trade is at $20.40, and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) closed today's session at $19.49 with a decline of 1.17%.