Buying put options on the allows you to profit from or protect against a decline in the broader U.S. stock market. As of April 28, 2026, the S&P 500 is trading at 7,173.91 , having recently recovered from a 9% dip caused by geopolitical tensions earlier in the year. S&P 500 (.INX) 9.10% since Apr 1, 2026 As of Apr 27, 23:34 GMT+3 • Disclaimer Apr 27, 2026 Open7,152.72 Low7,146.72 52-wk high7,178.74 High7,178.74 Prev close7,165.08 52-wk low5,356.17 Strategic Utility

: Acts as "insurance" for your stock holdings. If the index drops below your strike price, the put's value increases, helping offset losses in your long positions.

: You can gain significant downside exposure with a relatively small amount of capital. Critical Risks & Considerations Using S&P 500 Put Options to Hedge a Downturn

: Unlike shorting a stock—which has theoretically unlimited risk—buying a put limits your maximum loss to the premium paid .