
Example
Sale of 100 LIFFE BT May 600 Calls @ 69
The seller or writer of this option has opened a short position
giving the buyer or holder of the option the right to ask for
delivery of British Telecom shares at 600 p any time until expiry
of the option in May.
For that right the buyer has paid the seller a fee called a premium
of 69 p. Each contract is for 1000 shares so the seller has
received a premium of £69 000 (100 000 × 69 p) but must
deliver the shares at 600 p irrespective of the price of BT in the
market if the buyer exercises their right.
Clearly the buyer is expecting the shares to be above 669 p
(600 p + 69 p) by May.
In settlement terms there ...