At-The-Money Option [ATM]

This is a spread  where the premium received from selling part of the spread is greater than the premium paid for the other part of the spread. For instance, if you sold the AAPL 140.00 Calls @ 4.00 and bought the AAPL 142.00 Calls for 2.00 you have a credit of 2.00. See also Bear…

Options with intrinsic value, or in-the-money options, are automatically exercised at expiration so that option holders don’t inadvertently leave money on the table. Since June 2008 , all options that are a penny or more in-the-money at expiration are exercised at expiration.

This method is normally used when Options are overpriced. The trader would simply buy stocks in the open market and sell the equivalent position in the options market. This is done because the trader sees that the Options price is too high and anticipates that it will eventually decrease. So he/she decides to cash in…

The time Value of Options refers to the value of the options contract beyond its intrinsic value. Time value is equal to the extrinsic value of the options contract. Out-of-the-money options consist only of time value. The value of in-the-money options can include both intrinsic value and time value. See also In The Money Options,…

This is when you enter into a position by purchasing one part of the spread at a time rather than buying it all at once. Legging can improve the risk-reward of the trade if the underlying stock moves in the right direction. If not, it can reduce the potential loss.

The holder of a physical delivery XYZ call option has the right to purchase shares of XYZ Corporation stock at the specified exercise price upon exercise prior to the expiration of the option. The holder of a physical delivery XYZ put option has the right to sell shares of XYZ Corporation at the specified exercise…