Stock Option

Stock option

An option whose underlying asset is the common stock of a corporation.

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stock option

An option to buy or sell a specific number of shares of stock at a fixed price until a specified date. See also call, capped-style option, incentive stock option, put.

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Stock Option

1. An option contract giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a certain number of shares in a stock at a certain price on or before a certain time.

2. A non-tradeable call option giving an employee at a publicly-traded company the right to buy shares in that company for a certain price. Stock options in this sense are often a part of compensation for major and mid-level executives in large publicly-traded companies. If the share price for the company increases, stock options can be very profitable for the employee. These stock options have certain rules governing when and how the option can be exercised.

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Stock option. A stock option, or equity option, is a contract that gives its buyer the right to buy or sell a specific stock at a preset price during a certain time period.

The exact terms are spelled out in the contract. The same contract obligates the seller, also known as the writer, to meet its terms to buy or sell the stock if the option is exercised. If an option isn't exercised within the set period, it expires.

The buyer pays the seller a premium for the privilege of having the right to exercise, and the seller keeps that premium whether or not the option is exercised. The buyer has the right to sell the contract at any point before expiration, and might choose to sell if the sale provides a profit. The seller has the right to buy an offsetting contract at any time before expiration, ending the obligation to meet the contract's terms.

Stock options are also a form of employee compensation that gives employees -- often corporate executives -- the right to buy shares in the company at a specific price known as the strike price. If the stock price rises, and an employee has a substantial number of options, the rewards can be extremely handsome.

However, if the stock price falls, the options can be worthless. Often, there are time limits governing when employees can exercise their options and when they can sell the stock. These options, unlike equity options, can't be traded among investors.

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Stock Option

What Does Stock Option Mean?

An instrument sold by one party to another party, giving the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) a stock at an agreed-on price within a certain period or on a specific date. In the United Kingdom, it is known as a share option.

Investopedia explains Stock Option

American stock options can be exercised any time between the date of purchase and the expiration date. European options may be redeemed only at the expiration date. Most exchange-traded stock options are American.

Related Terms:
• Call Option
• Index Option
• Premium
• Put Option
• Strike Price