The Greeks

This interactive tool allows you to analyze the Greeks—sensitivities of the option price to various parameters—using the Black-Scholes-Merton model.

Parameters

Greek Values

Detailed Analysis

Below you can see how each Greek varies with the Stock Price (\(S_0\)) and Time to Maturity (\(T\)).

Formula:

\[ \Delta = e^{-qT} N(d_1) \quad \text{(call)}, \qquad \Delta = -e^{-qT} N(-d_1) \quad \text{(put)} \]

Delta measures the sensitivity of the option’s price to changes in the underlying asset’s price.

  • Call Delta: \(0 \le \Delta \le 1\) (for European calls without dividends).
  • Put Delta: \(-1 \le \Delta \le 0\).
  • Interpretation: Roughly the probability that the option finishes in-the-money (in a risk-neutral world). Also the hedge ratio (number of shares to hold to hedge a short position).

Formula (per year):

\[ \Theta_c = -\frac{S_0 \sigma e^{-qT} N'(d_1)}{2\sqrt{T}} - r K e^{-rT} N(d_2) + q S_0 e^{-qT} N(d_1) \]

\[ \Theta_p = -\frac{S_0 \sigma e^{-qT} N'(d_1)}{2\sqrt{T}} + r K e^{-rT} N(-d_2) - q S_0 e^{-qT} N(-d_1) \]

Theta measures the rate of time decay of an option’s value.

  • Sign: Usually negative for long positions (option loses value as time passes).
  • Behavior: Decay accelerates as expiration approaches for at-the-money options.
  • Note: The formula gives the time decay for one year. Traders often divide this by 365 (calendar days) or 252 (trading days) to estimate the daily decay.

Formula:

\[ \Gamma = \frac{e^{-qT} N'(d_1)}{S_0 \sigma \sqrt{T}} \]

Gamma measures the rate of change of Delta with respect to the underlying price (curvature).

  • Sign: Positive for long positions (both calls and puts).
  • Peak: Highest for at-the-money options.
  • Risk: High gamma implies that Delta changes rapidly, making hedging difficult (Gamma risk).

Formula:

\[ \nu = S_0 e^{-qT} \sqrt{T} N'(d_1) \]

Vega measures the sensitivity to changes in volatility.

  • Sign: Positive for long positions.
  • Peak: Highest for at-the-money options.
  • Interpretation: The calculated value represents the price change for a 1 unit (100%) change in volatility. Traders typically divide this by 100 to estimate the sensitivity to a 1 percentage point change in volatility.

Formula:

\[ \rho = K T e^{-rT} N(d_2) \quad \text{(call)}, \qquad \rho = -K T e^{-rT} N(-d_2) \quad \text{(put)} \]

Rho measures sensitivity to the risk-free interest rate.

  • Call Rho: Positive (higher rates \(\rightarrow\) higher call prices).
  • Put Rho: Negative (higher rates \(\rightarrow\) lower put prices).
  • Relevance: Usually the least significant Greek for short-dated equity options.
  • Note: Like Vega, the formula assumes a 1 unit (100%) change in interest rates. Divide by 100 for the sensitivity to a 1 percentage point change.

N’(d) denotes the standard normal probability density function (PDF):

\[ N'(d) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-d^2/2} \]