Hedging: Hedging means taking a position that offsets a risk you already have, so a bad outcome hurts less.

What it means

Hedging means taking a position that offsets a risk you already have, so a bad outcome hurts less.

Example

A business that loses money if interest rates rise could buy YES on a 'rate hike' contract. If rates rise, the contract pays out and softens the blow.

Practical tip

A hedge costs money when the feared event doesn't happen. Think of it like insurance, not a way to profit.