Intrinsic value defines the worth of an option. It's the portion of the option's premium that reflects actual value if exercised – its executable value.
For a long call option, intrinsic value is present when the market price of the underlying stock is above the strike price of the option. If you can buy the stock for less than its current market value, that difference represents your intrinsic value. In other words, intrinsic value exists when the option contract contains more favorable terms than the market is pricing.
Lesson 5: Understanding intrinsic value
Consider stock ABC, which is currently trading at $105 per share. Remember, these call options contain the right to buy ABC at the strike at any time through the expiration date. We'll evaluate different strike prices of ABC call options, all with the same expiration date:
- The $95 and $100 strike price options are in-the-money. They have intrinsic values of $10 and $5 per share, respectively. The market price ($105) minus the strike price gives us the intrinsic value. These options also have extrinsic values of $2 and $3 per share, respectively—the extra amount on top of the intrinsic value.
- The $105 strike price option is at-the-money since the strike price equals the market price. It has no intrinsic value, as buying the stock at the market price offers no advantage. Its entire $5 premium is extrinsic value.
- The $108 strike price option is out-of-the-money. With the market price ($105) below the strike price, it would not make sense to exercise this option. It has no intrinsic value, and its premium of $4 is entirely extrinsic value.
Lesson 5: Understanding intrinsic value
Key Takeaways
1. Intrinsic value is the component of an option's premium that reflects its exercisable value, existing only for in-the-money options.
2. For call options, intrinsic value exists when the underlying's market price exceeds the strike price.
3. For put options, intrinsic value exists when the underlying's market price is below the strike price.
4. Any portion of an option's premium that exceeds its intrinsic value is termed extrinsic value, accounting for factors like time and volatility.
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Understanding intrinsic value
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