A conservative strategy used to limit investment loss by effecting a transaction which offsets an existing position. Hedging is taking a position through options or futures opposite to the current position they hold in the market.
Delta-Hedged: An options strategy protecting an option against price changes in the option's underlying instrument by balancing the overall position delta to zero. These hedges are constructed by taking a position in the underlying instrument that is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign (+/-) to the option's delta.
Hedge Ratio: The mathematical quantity that is equal to the delta of an option. It is useful in that a theoretically neutral hedge can be established by taking offsetting positions in the underlying stock and its call options.
Hedged Position: A position established with the specific intent of protecting an existing position. For example, an owner of common stock may buy a put option to hedge against a possible stock price decline.