Expiration Date
The expiration date is the final day on which an option contract is valid. After this date, the contract ceases to exist, and any rights granted by the option are extinguished.
If the option is in-the-money at expiration, it is typically exercised or settled in cash, depending on the contract specifications. If it is out-of-the-money, it expires worthless.
The time remaining until the expiration date is a key component in calculating the time value of an option. As the expiration date approaches, the time value of the option decays, a process known as theta decay.
Traders must carefully manage their positions as the expiration date nears to decide whether to close, roll, or exercise their options. The expiration date is a fixed parameter that defines the duration of the trader's exposure.
It is a critical factor in planning trading strategies and managing the overall risk of a portfolio. It marks the conclusion of the contract's lifecycle.