mbergforeducation.com Bloomberg 4-8… ns LLLL LE C Pro 1 L Blackboard NAR Issues 202… ? Which of the following is NOT true. An options contract Lawrence Yun is a contractual agreement between two parties. is based on the value of an underlying security. Fullscreen obliges the holder to exercise it at the expiration date. gives a trader the right to buy or sell the underlying security. ( * Submit Answer Next Module: Using the Language of the Options Market About Us | Privacy Policy Higher mortgag…
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
“Obliges the holder to exercise it at the expiration date.” — This statement is NOT true.
Explanation:
An options contract is a financial derivative that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset (such as a stock) at a predetermined price (called the strike price) before or on a specific expiration date. The four main components in understanding this are the parties involved, the underlying asset, the right to exercise, and the expiration date.
Here’s a breakdown of the given statements:
- “An options contract is a contractual agreement between two parties.”
This is true. Every options trade involves a buyer (holder) and a seller (writer). - “An options contract is based on the value of an underlying security.”
Also true. Options derive their value from an underlying asset such as a stock, index, or commodity. This is what classifies them as derivatives. - “An options contract gives a trader the right to buy or sell the underlying security.”
True again. A call option gives the holder the right to buy, while a put option gives the right to sell. - “An options contract obliges the holder to exercise it at the expiration date.”
This is false, and thus the correct choice for what is NOT true. The holder of the option has the right, but is not required to exercise the option. If exercising is not beneficial, the holder can simply let the option expire worthless.
In conclusion, the fundamental characteristic of options contracts is that they provide flexibility. The holder may choose to exercise the contract only if it is profitable to do so. Otherwise, the contract can expire without any further action.
