Chapter Introduction

This chapter covers the mechanics that turn a futures or options position into a live obligation: performance bonds, premiums, price limits, delivery, exercise, and assignment.


What You'll Learn

UnitFocus
Margin RequirementsInitial, maintenance, hedge, and spread margin
Options PremiumsIntrinsic value, time value, delta, and quotations
Price LimitsLimit moves, expanded limits, lock limits, and circuit breakers
Offsetting Contracts and DeliveryClosing, notices, delivery, warehouse receipts, and EFPs
Options Exercise and AssignmentAssignment, post-exercise margin, and expiration dates

Chapter Strategy

Keep three distinctions clear: futures margin is a performance bond, a market order prioritizes execution rather than price, and exercise of an option on futures produces a futures position rather than stock.

Start Margin Requirements