What Happens When Options Expire & How Expiry Date is Decided

Introduction

Imagine you find a coupon for a free pizza in your drawer. Excited, you head to the pizza place, only to be told that the coupon expired last week.

Disappointed, you realize that your pizza dreams are dashed, all because you didn’t notice the expiry date. Expiry Date in options trading is just as crucial as the pizza coupon.

They can determine the value of your options and your overall option trading strategy.

Understanding what happens when options expire is crucial for any trader.

The expiry date can affect the pricing, the decision to exercise the option, and the potential profits or losses. In this guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of expiration dates in option trading and explore their impact on your trading activities.

Understanding Expiration Dates in Options Trading

In options trading, the expiration date is the last day on which the option can be exercised. After this date, the option expires worthless if it hasn’t been exercised or sold.

This date is crucial because it directly impacts the pricing and the time value of the option. Understanding the expiry date is essential for effective risk management in options trading.

The Components of an Option

Before diving deeper into expiration dates, let’s recap the components of an option:

Strike price

Strike price is the price at which the underlying asset can be bought (for call options) or sold (for put options).

Premium

The price paid for the option.

Expiration date

The date on which the option expires.

These components interact to determine the option’s value and potential profitability.

How is the Expiration Date Determined in Options Trading?

The expiration date of an option is a pre-specified date when the option contract becomes void, and the right to exercise it ceases.

This date is crucial for both the buyer and the seller of the option as it influences valuation, trading strategy, and risk management. Here’s how expiration dates are determined:

1. Standardization by exchanges

In most markets, options are standardized by the exchanges where they are traded. This standardization includes the expiration date, which follows a specific schedule set by the exchange. For example:

• Monthly options: Typically expire on the third Friday of the expiration month.
• Weekly options: Expire on the Friday of the expiration week, except when that Friday is a holiday, in which case they expire on the preceding business day.

2. Expiration cycles

Options have different expiration cycles. These cycles determine the months in which options contracts expire. Common cycles include:

• January cycle: Options expire in January, April, July, and October.
• February cycle: Options expire in February, May, August, and November.
• March cycle: Options expire in March, June, September, and December.

3. LEAPS (long-term equity anticipation securities)

LEAPS are long-term options with expiration dates extending up to three years into the future. The specific expiration date for LEAPS is also set by the exchange and follows a similar third-Friday-of-the-month rule.

4. Weekly and quarterly options

To provide more flexibility, exchanges also offer weekly and quarterly options:

• Weekly options: Expire every Friday and provide short-term trading opportunities.
• Quarterly options: Expire on the last trading day of each calendar quarter (March, June, September, and December).

5. Corporate events and adjustments

Sometimes, the expiration date of an option may be adjusted due to corporate events such as mergers, acquisitions, or stock splits. The exchange or the clearinghouse will determine the new expiry date and adjust the terms of the option contract accordingly.

The Role of Expiry Dates

Expiration dates play a pivotal role in options trading. They affect several aspects of an option’s value and the strategies traders employ.

Time decay (theta)

Options lose value as they approach their expiration date, a phenomenon known as time decay or theta decay. The closer an option gets to its expiration date, the less time it has to move into a profitable position, decreasing its value. This time decay accelerates as the expiration date nears.

Intrinsic and extrinsic value

An option’s price consists of:

• Intrinsic value: The difference between the underlying asset’s price and the strike price.
• Extrinsic value: Includes time value and volatility.

As the expiration date approaches, the extrinsic value diminishes, leaving primarily the intrinsic value. Understanding this shift is crucial to anticipate what happens when options expire and how it affects your positions.

Exercise or expire

The expiration date dictates when you need to make the decision to exercise the option or let it expire. If the option is in-the-money (profitable), you may choose to exercise it. If it’s out-of-the-money (not profitable), you might let it expire. Knowing what happens when call options expire in the money is essential for maximizing profits and minimizing losses.

The Relationship Retween Expiration Date and Options value

The expiration date of an option plays a crucial role in determining its value. This relationship is primarily influenced by factors such as time value, intrinsic value, and the Greeks (delta, gamma, theta, vega). Let’s understand each of these in detail.

TimeValue and Intrinsic Value

Time value

The portion of the option’s price attributable to the amount of time remaining until expiration. It represents the premium investors are willing to pay for the possibility that the option will increase in value before expiration.

Intrinsic value

The difference between the underlying asset’s current price and the option’s strike price.

• For call options: Intrinsic value = Current market price – Strike price
• For put options: Intrinsic value = Strike price – Current market price

Impact of expiration date

• Short-term options: Have lower time value because there is less time for the underlying asset’s price to move in a favorable direction. The price is mostly determined by intrinsic value if the option is in-the-money.
• Long-term options: Have higher time value as there is more time for the underlying asset’s price to change. These options are often more expensive due to the extended period of uncertainty.

The Greeks and their Influence on Options

The Greeks measure the sensitivity of the option’s price to various factors:

• Delta: Sensitivity to price changes in the underlying asset.
• Gamma: Rate of change of delta over time.
• Theta: Time decay of the option’s value.
• Vega: Sensitivity to volatility changes.

Impact of Expiration Date

Greek	Impact on short-term options	Impact on long-term options
Delta	Approaches 1 (for calls) or -1 (for puts) quickly if ITM, reflecting higher sensitivity to the underlying asset’s price	Changes more gradually, offering more stable sensitivity to price changes
Gamma	Higher gamma, meaning delta can change rapidly, increasing risk and reward potential	Lower gamma, leading to more predictable changes in delta
Theta	High theta, experiencing rapid time decay. The option’s value decreases quickly as expiration approaches	Lower theta, with slower time decay. The option retains more value over time
Vega	Lower vega, less sensitive to changes in volatility	Higher vega, more sensitive to volatility changes, affecting the option’s price more significantly

Volatility’s Role

Volatility affects the time value of an option. Higher volatility increases the likelihood of significant price movements, which can raise the option’s premium.

Impact of Expiration Date

• Short-term options: Less influenced by volatility due to limited time for price changes.
• Long-term options: More influenced by volatility, as there is more time for the underlying asset’s price to experience significant fluctuations.

What Happens When Options Expire?

Understanding what happens when options expire is essential for any trader. When options reach their expiration date, they either expire worthless or are exercised, depending on whether they are at-the-money (ATM), in-the-money (ITM), or out-of-the-money (OTM).

Expiry Outcomes for Call Options

Option type	Scenario	Underlying Price (S)	Strike Price (K)	Intrinsic Value	Outcome
Call Option	In-the-Money (ITM)	S > K	e.g., ₹110	S – K = ₹10	Holder exercises the option to buy the asset at K. If not sold, the option is auto-exercised.
	At-the-Money (ATM)	S = K	e.g., ₹100	S – K = ₹0	Option expires worthless. Holder loses the premium paid.
	Out-of-the-Money (OTM)	S < K	e.g., ₹90	₹0	Option expires worthless. Holder loses the premium paid.

Expiry Outcomes for Put Options

Option Type	Scenario	Underlying Price (S)	Strike Price (K)	Intrinsic Value	Outcome
Put Option	In-the-Money (ITM)	S < K	e.g., ₹90	K – S = ₹10	Holder exercises the option to sell the asset at K. If not sold, the option is auto-exercised.
	At-the-Money (ATM)	S = K	e.g., ₹100	K – S = ₹0	Option expires worthless. Holder loses the premium paid.
	Out-of-the-Money (OTM)	S > K	e.g., ₹110	₹0	Option expires worthless. Holder loses the premium paid.

How to Pick the Best Expiry Date in Options Trading

Choosing the right expiration date for your options trades is a crucial aspect of developing a successful options strategy. The expiration date can significantly influence the potential profitability and risk of your options position. Here are key considerations and steps to help you pick the best expiration date:

1. Define your Trading Strategy

Your trading strategy will greatly influence the expiration date you choose. Different strategies require different time frames to unfold:

• Short-term strategies: For strategies like day trading or swing trading, you may prefer weekly or monthly options.
• Long-term strategies: For strategies like covered calls or long-term protective puts, LEAPS might be more suitable.

2. Consider Time Decay (theta)

Time decay is the rate at which an option loses its value as it approaches expiration.

• Short-term options: Have higher time decay, meaning their value erodes quickly.
• Long-term options: Have slower time decay, providing more time for the underlying asset to move in your favor.

3. Evaluate Market Volatility (Vega)

Market volatility can impact your choice of expiration date.

• High volatility: If you expect high volatility, shorter-term options might be advantageous to capitalize on quick price movements.
• Low volatility: For low volatility periods, longer-term options might be preferable.

4. Analyze the Underlying Asset

Consider the characteristics of the underlying asset, including its typical price movements and any upcoming events that might impact its price:

• Earnings reports: Timing can influence price movements.
• Economic data releases: Be mindful of how they might affect the asset.

5. Assess your risk tolerance and profit objectives

Your risk tolerance and profit objectives will guide your expiration date choice:

• Higher risk tolerance: Might opt for shorter-term options.
• Lower risk tolerance: Longer-term options can provide a buffer against short-term volatility.

Tips for Managing Risk Around Expiration Dates

Monitor positions regularly

Stay updated on price movements and option value.

Understand the greeks

Be aware of how delta, gamma, theta, and vega impact your options.

Set exit strategies

Define clear profit targets and stop-loss levels.

Use hedging strategies

Implement protective options or other option hedging strategies.

Ensure liquidity

Trade options with sufficient liquidity to avoid issues with wide bid-ask spreads.

Real-life example: What happens when call options expire in the money

Let’s consider an investor who purchased a call option for XYZ stock with a strike price of ₹100, paying a premium of ₹5. On the expiration date, the stock price is ₹110.

• Intrinsic value: ₹110 – ₹100 = ₹10
• Profit: Intrinsic value – Premium paid = ₹10 – ₹5 = ₹5

Since the option is in-the-money, the investor can exercise the option to buy the stock at ₹100 and sell it at the market price of ₹110, realizing a profit. Alternatively, the option might be auto-exercised if not sold.

Understanding what happens when call options expire in the money enables traders to make informed decisions to maximize their returns.

Conclusion

Expiry dates in options trading are crucial as they determine an option’s value and influence trading strategies. By understanding their impact on the greeks, time decay, and market volatility, traders can make informed decisions and effectively manage risk. Knowing what happens when options expire—whether they are in-the-money, at-the-money, or out-of-the-money—is essential for any options trader.

Selecting the optimal expiration date aligned with your strategy and risk tolerance can significantly enhance your trading outcomes.