Stock Options

Stock Options Definition

Stock Options are derivative instruments that provide the holder either the right to buy or sell any stock based on the predetermined stock prices regardless of the prevailing market prices.

Generally, the following are its components –

#1 – Strike price – Strike PriceStrike Price Exercise price or strike price refers to the price at which the underlying stock is purchased or sold by the persons trading in the options of calls & puts available in the derivative trading. Thus, the exercise price is a term used in the derivative market.read more is the price for which options are purchased or getting written.
#2 – Expiry date – All the stock options will have a predetermined expiry date on which instrument will be squared off.
#3 – Premium – The price of the options, at which one can write or buy, is termed as premium.
#4 – Lot size – Stock options based on the prevailing market price of a share will be consist of a fixed number of shares, termed as Lot Size.

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Source: Stock Options (wallstreetmojo.com)

Types of Stock Options

The following are the two types –

1 – American Style – American option that can be exercised at any time, even before the expiry
2 – European Style – European option that can be exercised only at the time of expiry

Calculation and Example

Pay off in options will always be considered at maturity. Initially, while writing or buying options, either premium inflow or outflow will take place. On maturity, Cash inflow (in case of profit) or cash outflow (in case of loss) net off premium will take place.

Hence, the following is the formula of Payoffs:

Payoffs Formula = (Maturity Price – Strike price) * Lot Size – Premium paid on the inception.

Example #1

Call option of Amazon.com :

Current market price – $ 30
The strike price of the option – $ 40
Premium – $ 5
The market price on expiry- 1. $ 20, $ 60
Lot size – 100 shares

Solution

If the Market price is $ 20, then it is below the strike price. Hence, the option will lapse.

Hence total loss = $ 5

If the Market price is $ 60, then it is above the strike price. Hence, the option will be exercised.

Calculation of Payoff Maturity

Pay off on maturity = ($ 60 – $ 40) * 100 – $ 5

= ($ 20) * 100 – $ 5 = = $ 2000 – $ 5 = $ 1995

Example #2

Mr. A bought the put optionPut Option Put Option is a financial instrument that gives the buyer the right to sell the option anytime before the date of contract expiration at a pre-specified price called strike price. It protects the underlying asset from any downfall of the underlying asset anticipated.read more of Facebook, Inc. with the expiry of 30^th April, on 1^st April. On 1^st April, the Market price of Facebook, Inc is $ 136. The premium of the Put option for a strike price of $ 150, with the expiry of 30^th April, is $ 1000. The lot size is 1000 shares. Calculate the payoff for the option if the market price on 30^th April is

$ 110 $ 180

Solution

Here Mr. A is the buyer of the Put option. Hence he has the right to buy the share if the price goes below the strike price. On 30^th April, if the Market price is $ 110, then it is below the strike price of $ 150.Hence, put is in the money, and options will be exercised.

On 30^th April, if the market price is $ 180, then it is above the strike price, and hence calls will lapse.

Therefore, total loss = $ 1000

Calculation of Payoff

Therefore, payoff = ($ 150 – $ 110) * 1000 – $ 1000

= $ 40,000 – $ 1000

= $ 39,000

Benefits of Stock Options

Leverage – Buying Stock physically requires upfront payment on the inception, which requires a huge cash outflow. However, In option, with less amount of initial investment, an investor can take huge exposure over the underlying assetUnderlying Asset Underlying assets are the actual financial assets on which the financial derivatives rely. Thus, any change in the value of a derivative reflects the price fluctuation of its underlying asset. Such assets comprise stocks, commodities, market indices, bonds, currencies and interest rates.read more.
Ease of Shorting – Short selling Short Selling Short Selling is a trading strategy designed to make quick gains by speculating on the falling prices of financial security. It is done by borrowing the security from a broker and selling it in the market and thereafter repurchasing the security once the prices have fallen.read more of shares brings a huge amount of risk along with legal repercussions. However, with options, one can easily take a short positionShort Position A short position is a practice where the investors sell stocks that they don't own at the time of selling; the investors do so by borrowing the shares from some other investors to promise that the former will return the stocks to the latter on a later date.read more, just by paying a premium based on the speculation or having specific insight.
Flexibility – Options can be structured based on the need of investors. There are numerous strategies like a straddle, stranded, bull call spreadBull Call Spread A bull call spread refers to a trading strategy where the trader speculates a limited price appraisal of the stock. Here, the trader bets on the same stock via two call options for the upper and lower strike price range.read more refers to a trading strategy where the trader speculates a limited price appraisal of the stock. Here, the trader bets on the same stock via two call options for the upper and lower strike price range.” url=”https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/bull-call-spread/”]bull call spreadBull Call Spread A bull call spread refers to a trading strategy where the trader speculates a limited price appraisal of the stock. Here, the trader bets on the same stock via two call options for the upper and lower strike price range.read more[/wsm-tooltip], bull put spread, etc., based on which investor can design and earn huge profits.

Disadvantages of Stock Options

Risk – Option buyer will be having loss limited to the premium amount paid. However, the writer of the options will be facing a huge amount of risk. It can be even unlimited. Hence, Stock options come with a huge amount of risk as compared to a direct stock purchase.
No Stock Holder Privileges – Shares, once purchased, can be sold even after hundred years. It will be sold at the wish of investors. However, in options, there will be a fixed, predetermined expiry date on which instrument is needed to be squared off. Due to this, even if the investor is in a position to incur negative profits, the investor will have to forcefully square off the instrument even at a loss.
Constant Observation of Market Prices for Premium Payoffs – Generally, an investment in the shares, the investor will upfront pay the purchase price. After that, no payment is needed. However, Option Seller will have to constantly monitor the market prices, as based on that market to marketMarket To Market Marking to market (MTM) is the concept of recording the accounts, i.e., the assets and liabilities at their fair value or at the current market price, which varies with time rather than historical cost. It helps to represent the company's actual financial condition.read more of an instrument will be settled down at the end of the day.

Indicators of the Stock Options

The following are the indicators of Stock option performance:

Delta: Degree at which option price will change with respect to change in the market price.
Gamma: Degree at which delta( as discussed in 1) of the option is getting the change with respect to change in market price. In simple terms, it is termed as the delta of the delta.
Theta: Degree of change in option price with respect to a change in the expiry of option instrument
Rho: Degree of change in option price with respect to a change in risk-free interest rate.
Vega: Degree of change in option price with respect to the change in volatility.

Conclusion

Stock options are a preferred financial instrument by the asset management companiesAsset Management Companies Asset Management Company is a company that takes the financial assets of a person, company or another asset management company (generally this will be high net worth individuals) and use the assets to invest in companies that use those as a operational investment, financial investment or any other investment in order to grow the investment.read more, portfolio managers, foreign institutional investors, etc. It gives the benefit of betting with huge exposure just based on the specific insight of the movement of the stock price in a particular direction.

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Stock Options