Learn how the option price, or premium, is determined and calculated

As the holder of an option has a right, and the seller has a potential obligation, the holder needs to pay a certain amount of money to the seller. The price of the option, or the premium, is determined by two sets of variables: contract-specific variables and market-specific variables. Discover how these variables impact the price of an option and how option prices are calculated.

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Moneyness

Discover the concept of ‘moneyness’

Moneyness is the relationship between the strike price and the market price of the underlying asset during the lifetime of an option. Learn about the difference between ‘at the money’, ‘in the money’, and ‘out of the money’ and what each term means. 

Moneyness

Premium & Valuation explained in detail

In addition to their potential intrinsic value, options also have another element of value: the option premium. The premium has to be paid by the buyer, which is then transferred to the option seller. To a certain extent, the purchase of an option contract can be compared to the acquisition of an insurance policy, where a premium is charged by the insurance seller. The insurance buyer pays the premium in advance of the period during which the insurance agreement is valid. The contract embeds a potential claim, which will only be lifted if certain conditions are met.

The option holder has a right. The option writer takes the risk for a potential obligation, for which the option writer receives a financial compensation. This is called the option premium. The potential obligation to take or make delivery incorporates risk. This is why the writer needs to receive a premium from the option buyer.

The option premium (price) is based on the price of the underlying value and the movement of that price (volatility), but also on factors such as the remaining lifetime of the option, and on supply and demand in that particular option series.

The higher the price volatility, the larger the price risk, but that also means more opportunity. In the case of high price volatility, the chance of a significant price change is large. Price volatility must be considered when pricing an option. The future price volatility must be included in the pricing process.

A Rational market participant should be indifferent to buy an asset now or in time. Pricing of products should be accordingly. Therefore, the forward price or future price should be equal to the ‘spot price’ plus cost of carrying the underlying asset forward in time. The cost of carrying a stock forward in time are the cost of capital (interest) minus the financial compensation (dividend). Interest raises the future or forward price of an asset. A higher future price will lead to a higher value of call options and a lower value of put options. Dividend payments lower the cost of carrying an asset forward in time because the holder of the security faces a cash inflow. Such cash inflows lower the future or forward price of an asset.

The strike price is the price at which that underlying value can be transacted as stated in the option agreement. Obviously, the strike price must be compared to the price of the underlying value. In case the price of the underlying value exceeds the strike price at expiration, a call option has intrinsic value. On the contrary, when the price of the underlying value is below the strike price, a put option has intrinsic value.

The longer the time to maturity, the more time there is for the price of the underlying asset to make a move. In other words, the longer the time to maturity, the more chance there is for the price of the underlying value to change and the more significant this move can be. Therefore, long-term options are priced at higher premiums than short-term options.

European-style options can only be exercised at expiration. American-style options may be exercised during their lifetime, but at the latest at expiration. When an option is exercised before maturity it is called “early exercise”. Early exercise is often performed for equity options on the day before the underlying share will be traded ‘ex-dividend’. The more flexibility an option offers, the higher its price. Hence, American style options are priced (somewhat) higher than European style options.

The premium or value of an option consists of two components: the intrinsic and the extrinsic value. The extrinsic value is also known as “time value” or “expectations value”. The time value is the extra premium on top of the intrinsic value. The time value reflects the possibility of a possible move beyond the strike price before the option expires. At expiration of an option, only intrinsic value applies, if it applies at all (i.e., only when the option is “in-the-money”).

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The Euronext Option Investing E-learning training (“the Training”) is provided as a service to the public for information purposes only and is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities. The Training is provided “as is” without representation or warranty in any kind. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content of the Training, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on the information provided in the Training. Retail investors who wish to trade on the regulated markets operated by Euronext and require any information or advice in this regard should consult their financial intermediary. All propriety rights and interests in or connected with this Training shall vest with in Euronext and Entrima. No part of it may be redistributed or reproduced in any form. © 2021, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved.