Automatic Exercise

This is a spread trading strategy that involves buying and selling options, but the trader typically sells a greater number of contracts sold than what is purchased. See also Ratio Back Spread & Ratio

This is an options contract, put or call, that can be exercised at any time prior to expiration. Stock, exchange-traded funds, and some index options also settle American-style. The alternative is the European Style Option which can only be exercised at expiration.

Time value is whatever the premium of the option is in addition to its intrinsic value. Time value is that part of the premium that reflects the time remaining before expiration. An American-style option may ordinarily be expected to trade for no less than its intrinsic value prior to its expiration, although occasionally an American-style…

This is basically the level of volatility reflected in the current options prices. Each options contract has a unique level of implied volatility that is computed using an options pricing model. The Implied Volatility (IV) is fluid and consistently changing. When the IV is high, it indicates that the option premiums are expensive. When the…

This is the process of satisfying put exercise or call assignment. In either case, stock is delivered. In the case of indexes, delivery involves the transfer of cash equal to the settlement value of the index minus the strike price of the options contract. See also: Options Assignment, Automatic Exercise, American Style Option

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,…