ATM and OTM Pricing

[louisjxn]

I am relatively new to options and have been focusing on buying mostly ATM calls with expiration dates at least 4-6 months away. I was comparing two Jan17 calls, one ATM and the other far OTM. The stock is currently trading at around $14. Based on the theoretical analysis, the ATM call appears to be losing money as soon as it is bought, while the far OTM call (at $20 strike) seems to increase in value when it goes slightly north of $14. I'm just wondering if someone can tell me why these OTM calls can go up when they are so far away from the strike price? Thanks in advance.

 

[rmorse]

It's hard to tell the size of the increase in the Out of the money call to see if it's material. And, are you looking at the bid/ask spread or last sale.

 

[louisjxn]

Hi rmorse, I'll attach a screenshot. Both the OTM and ATM seem to have about the same spread.

https://smile.amazon.com/clouddrive...vL7DPSl3MXm?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

 

[rmorse]

Can you tell me the option info for each option. (symbol, month, strike, P/C) Your screen shot is hard for me to follow. I can look at it, on my own. What is this taken from?

 

[louisjxn]

Thanks, rmorse. The screen was taken from the OptionsHouse platform. I was specifically looking at symbol : GDX - expiration Jan17 at the $13 and $18 strike prices.

 

[rmorse]

I see a relatively flat Vol skew. If it were more or less yesterday, it might be just the bid/ask spread. See attached. Ignore the downside. Good markets for 01/2017.

 

[rmorse]

You said 4 to 6 months away. Did I look at the correct month/year? Jan 2017 is way out.

 

[louisjxn]

Thanks again, rmorse. In general, I try to buy calls that have at least 4-6 months until expiration. In this case, though, I'm really just looking to gain exposure to gold without actually buying the stocks, gold, paper gold, etc. The Jan17 expiry just seemed like the best way to play it.

 

[rmorse]

I understand. Most 2017 options are VERY wide. These are not bad.

Good luck.

 

[OptionGuru]

Thanks again, rmorse. In general, I try to buy calls that have at least 4-6 months until expiration. In this case, though, I'm really just looking to gain exposure to gold without actually buying the stocks, gold, paper gold, etc. The Jan17 expiry just seemed like the best way to play it.

GLD tracks gold much better than GDX.


EDIT: And if you are trading options your results will be much different than the underlying.