Worried About an AI Bubble? Here's Exactly How to Limit Stock Risk by Hedging With Put Options

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of hedging as a risk management strategy for investors, highlighting that it is essential to manage risk proactively rather than reactively [1][2] - Long puts are presented as a form of insurance against market losses, allowing investors to protect unrealized profits from potential downturns [2][3] Hedging Concept - Hedging is defined as a method to protect unrealized profits from downside risks, akin to insurance for investments [2] - The article notes that while investors hope they never need to use their hedge, having one in place provides peace of mind [2] Long Put Options - A long put option grants the buyer the right to sell an underlying asset at a predetermined strike price before the expiration date, providing downside protection [2][3] - The maximum loss is capped when using a long put, as it allows the investor to sell the stock at the strike price regardless of how much the stock price falls [3] Practical Example - An example is provided where an investor owns 100 shares of Microsoft purchased at $500 per share. Without a hedge, a drop to $450 would result in a $5,000 loss [4] - By purchasing a $490-strike put option, the investor secures the right to sell the shares at $490, thus limiting potential losses [4]