Option Moneyness (ITM / ATM / OTM): Definition + Case Study

Option Moneyness (ITM / ATM / OTM)

Classification of an option based on whether the underlying asset price is above, at, or below the strike price.

Definition

For a call option: in-the-money (ITM) when the underlying price exceeds the strike; at-the-money (ATM) when they are equal; out-of-the-money (OTM) when the underlying is below the strike. For a put option, the relationship is reversed: ITM when the underlying is below the strike, OTM when above. Only ITM options have intrinsic value; OTM options have only time value. An ITM call with a strike of $50 on a stock trading at $58 has $8.00 of intrinsic value; the remaining premium above $8.00 is time value. At expiry, a call is exercised only if it is ITM; if OTM at expiry it expires worthless and the buyer loses the full premium paid. Moneyness directly affects the delta of an option: deep ITM options have a delta approaching 1.0 (call) or -1.0 (put), ATM options have a delta near 0.5 (call) or -0.5 (put), and deep OTM options have a delta approaching zero.

Source

Options Industry Council educational material; CIRO IDPC KYP obligations for options

Where this shows up on the CIRE

Outcome 5.3

Test yourself

Two real CIRE-bank questions on this exact outcome. Click to reveal the answer and the rule citation.

1
Statistics Canada releases a monthly report showing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 4.1% year-over-year, above the Bank of Canada's 2% target. Which economic indicator has been reported, and what is its primary significance for investment analysis?
Outcome 5.3 · click for answer
A.The CPI measures the change in the price of a fixed basket of consumer goods and services over time; a reading above the Bank of Canada's 2% target signals that inflation is running hot, which may lead the Bank to raise its overnight rate to reduce demand and bring inflation back toward target.Correct
B.The CPI measures the trade balance; a 4.1% reading means Canada is importing more than it exports.
C.The CPI measures corporate earnings growth; a 4.1% reading signals that corporate profits are rising.
D.The CPI measures unemployment; a 4.1% reading means unemployment has risen significantly.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by Statistics Canada measures changes in the price of a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by Canadian households. It is Canada's primary inflation indicator. The Bank of Canada targets inflation of 2% (within a 1% to 3% control range). A CPI reading of 4.1% year-over-year indicates above-target inflation, which historically leads the Bank to raise its policy rate to cool demand. This has direct implications for fixed income prices, equity valuations, and currency movements.
2
A registrant is explaining economic indicators to a client. The client asks what the Consumer Price Index measures and why it matters for investment decisions. Which response is most accurate?
Outcome 5.3 · click for answer
A.The CPI measures the total market value of all goods and services produced in Canada during a quarter, making it the primary measure of economic output.
B.The CPI measures changes in the average prices of a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by Canadian households and is the primary indicator used to track inflation, which directly influences interest rate decisions and the real return on fixed income investments.Correct
C.The CPI measures unemployment rates among manufacturing workers and is used exclusively by labour market economists.
D.The CPI measures the profitability of the S&P/TSX Composite Index constituent companies and is used to forecast equity market returns.
The Consumer Price Index tracks changes in the average price of a representative basket of goods and services purchased by Canadian households, serving as the primary measure of inflation in Canada. Inflation directly affects investment decisions: it erodes the real return on fixed income securities, influences the Bank of Canada's policy rate decisions, and affects the purchasing power of savings. GDP measures total economic output, unemployment measures labour market conditions, and corporate profitability is tracked through earnings reports; not the CPI.

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