Why and how to use an Options Calculator

The Montreal Exchange (MX) offers users an online tool to help understand and calculate the theoretical value of options. Known as the Montreal Exchange option calculator, users can take advantage of a free offering to better understand potential investment returns and risk management decisions.

Montreal Exchange option calculator: why you should use it

The MX option calculator is used to evaluate the premium of a Canadian equity, ETF, index, and currency option. It can be used for both American or European style options and can be tailored to factor in dividends.

Users have the ability to input a delayed quote from an existing options contract or use theoretical data.

The option calculator can be accessed at https://m-x.ca/optionscalculator 

How to use the Montreal Exchange option calculator

Once you access the free to use Montreal Exchange option calculator, you will need to input data in the blank fields. Important to note that the first step required is to select American or European style options.

The S&P/TSX 60 index options (SXO) are European-style options. The same is true for currency options, especially options on the US dollar (USX). European style options can only be exercised on the expiration date.

This contrasts with iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund (XIU) options that are American-style options. Also, options on stocks and ETFs are American style. This type of option can be exercised on or before the expiration date.

With that out of the way, you will need to input eight inputs.

1. Type of Underlying = the desired stock, ETF, index, or currency.
2. Option type = call or put.
3. Expiration Date = the expiration month or the days until expiry.
4. Strike Price ($) = the strike price of the option you wish to evaluate.
5. Underlying Price ($) = the current price of the stock or index.
6. Volatility (%) = the fluctuation in the market price of the underlying asset. This can be obtained through your stock broker, another financial source, or an estimate.
7. Interest rate (%) = the risk free interest rate that in most cases is equal to the annualized Treasury Bill rate for the period corresponding to the maturity of the option.
8. Dividend amount ($) = the quarterly dividend amount paid to shareholders.

Once all the variables are entered into the option calculator, simply press the calculate. The results will generate the theoretical price of the option, along with several other variables that are known as the “Greeks” because they are represented by Greek letters.

Understanding the ‘Greeks’

The Montreal Exchange options calculator offers more than just the theoretical price of an option. Specifically, the value of the five “Greeks” are very important for measuring the change in value of an option given a change in one of the pricing variables.

The five “Greeks” include: 

1. Delta represents the change in option price given a small change in the underlying stock price. 
2. Gamma is the rate of change of an option’s delta derived on a single-point move in the delta’s price.
3. Vega measures the change in price of an option for a small change in the level of implied volatility.
4. Theta, also known as the rate of decay, represents the rate of change in price of an option for a small change in the time to maturity.
5. Rho represents the change in value of an option given a small change in the value of the risk-free interest rate.

Disclaimer:

The strategies presented in this blog are for information and training purposes only, and should not be interpreted as recommendations to buy or sell any security. As always, you should ensure that you are comfortable with the proposed scenarios and ready to assume all the risks before implementing an option strategy.

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