A stock option is a contract that gives you the right to buy or sell a stock at a certain price in the future. Stock options can be used to hedge against potential losses in your portfolio. Employee ...

An option is a contract that allows the buyer to buy or sell shares of stock at an agreed-upon price. Investors can get outsized returns by using options instead of simply owning stocks. Be forewarned ...

It’s the dream of any freshly-hired startup employee: Start with stock options in your fledgling company, work hard to see that company become a success and reap the rewards of your equity with a ...

Private companies issue stock options for a few reasons according to SmartAsset, such as providing competitive compensation and benefits packages that attract and retain top talent. While private ...

Stock options are contracts that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific number of shares of a company's stock at a predetermined price within a set time period.

Although typically associated with startup companies, equity compensation has become increasingly popular as part of an employee's overall compensation package. Financial advisors can help their ...

As technology stocks ascended in the second half of the 1990s, employee stock options were the dominant form of equity compensation, with companies distributing them to rank-and-file employees as well ...

While stocks appeal to beginners and long-term investors, options can work well for active traders who appreciate flexibility. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our ...

Lea Uradu, J.D., is a Maryland state registered tax preparer, state-certified notary public, certified VITA tax preparer, IRS annual filing season program participant, and tax writer. Vikki Velasquez ...

Forms of compensation like restricted stock units and performance shares—whereby executives receive a batch of stock from their companies after meeting a performance target—have some key advantages ...

Employee stock options can be lucrative, but knowing when to exercise your options isn't always straightforward. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners ...