Option Chain - Definition, Usages, Examples & How to Read it (2024)

An option chain, sometimes referred to as an option matrix, is a fundamental tool in the world of options trading. It provides traders and investors with a comprehensive view of available options for a particular underlying asset, such as stocks, indices, or commodities. Think of it as a menu of choices, each representing a different contract that grants specific rights and obligations.

Option chains are typically organised in a tabular format, with calls and puts displayed side by side. Calls and puts are the two primary types of options available, and they provide different ways to study the price movement of the underlying asset.

Understanding calls and puts

1. Call options: A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right, but not the obligation, to buy the underlying asset at a predetermined price, known as the strike price, on or before a specified expiration date. Call options are often used by investors who anticipate the underlying asset's price to rise.
2. Put options: On the other hand, a put option provides the holder with the right, but not the obligation, to sell the underlying asset at the strike price on or before the expiration date. Put options are favoured by those who anticipate a decline in the underlying asset's price.

What is an option chain?

Option chains display a variety of available option contracts for a particular stock, showing different strike prices and expiration dates. Each contract is defined by its unique combination of strike price and expiration date, enabling investors to select the one that best fits their trading strategy and market outlook.

In the following sections, we will break down the components of an option chain, explain how to read it, and explore its practical uses in the options market.

Characteristics of an option chain

An option chain has several key characteristics that provide valuable information to traders:

1. Underlying asset

• The first element to consider is the underlying asset itself. An option chain is associated with a specific security, it a stock, index, exchange-traded fund (ETF), or commodity. The underlying asset is the reference point for all the options within the chain.

2. Expiration dates

• Option chains display a range of expiration dates, which are typically organised in chronological order. These dates represent the last day on which the option can be exercised. Expiration dates are critical as they influence the time value and overall pricing of options.

3. Strike prices

• Strike prices, also known as exercise prices, are another vital component of an option chain. They represent the price at which the underlying asset can be bought (for call options) or sold (for put options) when the option is exercised. Option chains list various strike prices, allowing traders to select options that best align with their market outlook.

4. Option type

• In an option chain, you will find two primary types of options: calls and puts. Call options grant the right to buy the underlying asset, while put options grant the right to sell it. Traders choose between these types based on their market expectations.

5. Option symbols

• Each option contract has a unique identifier known as its option symbol. These symbols provide information about the underlying asset, option type, expiration date, and strike price. Understanding how to interpret these symbols is essential when trading options.

6. Bid and ask prices

• Option chains display bid and ask prices for each option contract. The bid price represents the maximum price a buyer is willing to pay for the option, while the ask price is the minimum price at which a seller is willing to sell. The bid-ask spread is the difference between these prices and influences the cost of entering and exiting option positions.

7. Volume and open interest

• Option chains often include information about the trading activity for each contract, such as the daily trading volume and open interest. Volume reflects the number of contracts traded on a given day, while open interest represents the total number of outstanding contracts. These metrics can provide insights into the popularity and liquidity of specific options.

8.In-The-Money (ITM)

• An option is considered "in-the-money" if exercising it would lead to a profitable transaction. For call options, this means the underlying asset's price is above the strike price. For put options, it means the asset's price is below the strike price. ITM options typically have higher premiums because they have intrinsic value.

9.At-The-Money (ATM)

• An option is "at-the-money" when the underlying asset's price is equal to the strike price. ATM options are often actively traded and have a premium that reflects the time value and implied volatility since they do not yet have intrinsic value.

10.Out-Of-The-Money (OTM)

• An option is "out-of-the-money" if exercising it would not be profitable. For call options, this means the asset's price is below the strike price. For put options, it means the asset's price is above the strike price. OTM options have lower premiums as they consist solely of time value.

11.Implied Volatility (IV)

• Implied volatility measures the market's expectation of the underlying asset's future volatility over the life of the option. Higher IV indicates a higher expected volatility, which generally increases the option's premium. IV is crucial for pricing options as it reflects the uncertainty or risk associated with the asset.

12.Bid price

• The bid price is the highest price that a buyer is willing to pay for an option contract. It indicates the demand for the option and is part of the bid-ask spread. Traders looking to sell their options quickly might sell at the bid price.

13.Bid quantity

• The bid quantity represents the number of option contracts that buyers are willing to purchase at the bid price. Higher bid quantities can indicate strong demand for the option at that price level. This metric helps traders gauge the market interest and potential liquidity for an option.

Understanding these characteristics helps traders analyse option chains effectively, allowing them to make informed decisions based on their strategies, risk tolerance, and market expectations.

How to read an options chart?

Understanding how to read an options chart is a vital step in your journey to mastering option trading. An options chart is a visual representation of the data found in the option chain, allowing traders to analyse the relationships between various options and assess potential trading opportunities. Here is how to navigate an options chart effectively:

1. Identifying the underlying asset and expiration date

• Begin by identifying the underlying asset and the expiration date of the options you are interested in. This ensures that you are looking at the correct set of options in the chart.

2. Understanding the axes

• An option chart typically features a horizontal axis representing the price of the underlying asset and a vertical axis representing the profit or loss associated with holding the option at various underlying asset prices.

3. Lines representing options

• The chart consists of a series of lines, with each line representing a different option. These lines are color-coded to distinguish between call options (commonly represented by green lines) and put options (typically represented by red lines).

4. Strike prices and slopes

• Each line on the chart corresponds to a specific strike price. The slope of these lines indicates the option's delta. Delta measures the sensitivity of an option's price to changes in the underlying asset's price. A delta of 1 suggests that the option's price will move in direct proportion to changes in the underlying asset's price, while a delta of 0 implies that the option's price will remain unchanged in response to changes in the underlying asset's price.

Analysing the options chart

To read an options chart effectively, consider the following steps:

• Identify the strike price associated with each line on the chart.
• Observe the direction and steepness of the lines to gauge the options' delta values. Steeper lines (higher delta) indicate options that are more responsive to changes in the underlying asset's price, while flatter lines (lower delta) signify options that are less sensitive.
• Assess the options' positions concerning the current market price of the underlying asset. In-the-money options will be above the current price for calls and below it for puts, while out-of-the-money options will be located in the opposite direction.
• Visualise how changes in the underlying asset's price would affect the profit or loss of each option position, helping you identify trading opportunities and potential risk exposures.

Usage of an options chain

Here are some of the key uses of an options chain:

1. Option selection
   Traders use an options chain to choose the specific option contracts that best align with their trading strategy. They can select options with the desired strike prices and expiration dates based on their market outlook.
2. Risk management
   Options chains are crucial for assessing and managing risk. Traders can use them to identify potential risk exposures and tailor their positions to mitigate risk by employing strategies like covered calls, protective puts, and collars.
3. Price discovery
   Options chains help traders gauge market expectations regarding the future price movements of the underlying asset. The bid and ask prices provide insights into supply and demand, influencing pricing decisions.
4. Strategy development
   Experienced traders use options chains to develop and refine their trading strategies. By analysing various combinations of options in the chain, they can create complex strategies like straddles, strangles, iron condors, and butterfly spreads.
5. Hedging
   Investors often use options chains to hedge their existing positions in the underlying asset. By purchasing put options, for example, they can protect their portfolio from potential price declines.
6. Income generation
   Traders looking to generate income may sell covered calls using options from the chain. They collect premium income in exchange for agreeing to sell the underlying asset at a specified price.
7. Liquidity assessment
   The volume and open interest data in an options chain offer insights into the liquidity of specific options contracts. High liquidity options are typically easier to trade with narrower bid-ask spreads.
8. Timing decisions
   Traders can use options chains to determine when to enter or exit options positions. They may look for options with specific expiration dates that align with anticipated market events or price movements.

Additional read: What is Forex Trading

Options chain example

Let us consider a fictional company named "Tech Innovators Ltd (TIL)" to illustrate the concept of an options chain in the Indian stock market.

Scenario: Tech Innovators Ltd (TIL)

Imagine you are interested in trading options on shares of Tech Innovators Ltd (TIL), a fictional technology company listed on the Indian stock market. TIL is currently trading at Rs. 1,500 per share, and you want to explore the options available to potentially profit from price movements in TIL's stock.

Understanding the options chain

1. Underlying asset:TIL shares serve as the underlying asset in this scenario.
2. Expiration dates:Upon examining the options chain for TIL, you find a variety of expiration dates, including monthly options with expirations in one month, two months, and three months. Longer-term options with expirations extending several months or a year into the future may also be available.
3. Strike prices:Within each expiration date, you encounter a list of strike prices. For instance, call options might have strike prices ranging from Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 1,600, and put options could have strike prices from Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 1,600. These strike prices are typically in increments of Rs. 100.
4. Option type:The options chain segregates call options, which allow you to buy TIL shares, and put options, which grant you the right to sell them.
5. Bid and ask prices:Each option contract at a specific strike price and expiration date comes with bid and ask prices. For example, a call option with a strike price of Rs. 1,500 might have a bid price of Rs. 20 and an ask price of Rs. 25. The bid price represents the highest price a buyer is willing to pay, while the ask price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept.
6. Option symbols:Option symbols, accompanying each option contract, contain information about the underlying asset, expiration date, and strike price. These symbols facilitate the identification of specific contracts.

Analysing the options chain

Suppose you have a bullish outlook on TIL and anticipate its stock price will increase. You decide to explore the options chain for a one-month expiration date and find the following call options:

• A call option with a strike price of Rs. 1,500 has a bid price of Rs. 20 and an ask price of Rs. 25.
• A call option with a strike price of Rs. 1,550 has a bid price of Rs. 15 and an ask price of Rs. 18.
• A call option with a strike price of Rs. 1,600 has a bid price of Rs. 10 and an ask price of Rs. 12.

In this scenario, you might consider buying the call option with a strike price of Rs. 1,500 at an ask price of Rs. 25. If TIL's stock price rises above Rs. 1,525 (the strike price plus the premium paid), your call option could potentially become profitable.

Option chain vs price action - Key differences

Understanding the differences between option chain and price action can help traders decide which method suits their trading style and goals better.

1. Nature of analysis

• Option chain: An option chain primarily focuses on options contracts associated with an underlying asset, such as stocks, commodities, or indices. It provides information about the available options, their strike prices, expiration dates, bid-ask prices, and other contract-specific data. Option chains are essential for options traders, helping them select, evaluate, and trade options contracts based on their market expectations.

• Price action: Price action analysis, on the other hand, is a technical analysis method that focuses on studying historical price movements and patterns of the underlying asset itself, such as the price of a stock or a currency pair. It involves analysing price charts, candlestick patterns, support and resistance levels, and other price-related data to make trading decisions. Price action is used by traders of various financial instruments, including stocks, forex, and commodities.

2. Data and information

• Option chain: Option chains provide specific data related to options contracts, including strike prices, expiration dates, implied volatility, and open interest. Traders use this data to construct options strategies, manage risk, and profit from price movements in the underlying asset.

• Price action: Price action analysis focuses exclusively on the historical price movements of the underlying asset. It considers factors like price patterns, trends, and key price levels to make trading decisions. Price action traders do not rely on options-related data but instead use historical price data to predict future price movements.

3. User base

• Option chain: Option chains are primarily used by options traders and investors who engage in derivative trading.These traders often employ complex strategies involving options contracts to analyse the price movements and manage risk.

• Price action: Price action analysis is more widely used across different trading disciplines, including stock trading, forex trading, and commodities trading. It is not limited to a specific type of financial instrument and is applicable to any asset with price data.

4. Purpose

• Option chain: The primary purpose of an option chain is to facilitate options trading and risk management. Traders use option chains to construct option strategies that align with their market outlook and risk tolerance.

• Price action: Price action analysis is used to understand the historical behaviour of an asset's price. Traders employ it to identify potential entry and exit points, trend reversals, and support/resistance levels. It is often used for making trading decisions in various markets.

5. Trading strategy

• Option chain: Traders using option chains are more likely to employ options-specific strategies like covered calls, protective puts, iron condors, and straddles. These strategies involve combinations of call and put options to achieve specific risk and reward profiles.

• Price action: Price action traders typically employ technical analysis techniques such as trend following, breakout trading, and support/resistance trading. Their strategies are based on price chart patterns and price movement analysis.

Conclusion

Option chains offer a comprehensive view of available options contracts, empowering traders to make informed decisions. Understanding the components of an option chain, including strike prices, expiration dates, and option types, is crucial. By effectively reading and analysing option charts, traders can identify potential trading opportunities and manage risk. Mastering option chains is a valuable skill for navigating the complex world of options trading.