I am looking at a NS option and trying to understand what the rights and responsiblities are.
it is the CTIC Jan 2.5 Put (l-10) (+KGXMZ)
it says it is just 10 shares.
I am thinking about selling the put and anticipating the option to be worthless at expiration. But I am not sure what I will get if the option is exercised.
How can I figure this out?
TIA
Hello,
1) I assume NS refers to a non-standard option.
2) CTIC underwent a reverse stock split of 1 for 10. Each 10 shares is now one share. Thus each option contract is now exercisable into 10 of the new, post-reverse split shares. Details: http://search.cboe.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=41053&query=kgxmz&hiword=kgxmz
The symbol changed to CTICD, but is once again CTIC.
3) The original contract allowed the put owner to exercise and receive $250 by delivering (selling) 100 shares. Nothing should change for that put owner as a result of the reverse split. By that I mean that he/she neither makes nor loses money. Thus, the put owner has the right to sell - and you as the seller would be forced to purchase - 10 shares of stock at a cost of $250.
With the stock trading near $1.40 and 10 shares of stock being worth $14, it seems that these puts are valuable, and deep in the money (deep ITM for a put with a 2.5 strike price!).
4) If you are assigned an exercise notice, you will 'get' 10 shares (100 old shares) for each option you sold, and you will be obligated to pay $250 cash for those 100 shares.
But there is something going on that I don't get. My broker (Interactive Brokers) does not show that this option exists, yet the CBOE circular (link above) clearly states that it does.
Because a bad decision here may cost a lot of money, I suggest that you get the definitive answer from the options clearing corporation (OCC) (http://www.optionsclearing.com). You can reach them: options@theocc.com. They reply fairly quickly. You can call, but I feel safer with a response in writing.
Mark
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Mark D. Wolfinger
The Rookie's Guide to Options:The Beginner's Handbook of Trading Equity Options
blog: http://blog.mdwoptions.com/options_for_rookies
website: http://www.mdwoptions.com