About Options

An option contract enables the holder to buy or sell a fixed quantity of a security at a set, or strike price, within a specified period. A call gives the holder the right to buy the security , while a put gives the right to sell the security within the specified time. A buyer of a call option hopes to profit from a rise in the price of the underlying stock. The seller of a put expects the price of the underlying stock to hold above the striking price, thus enabling him to profit from the premium obtained from the sale of the put without having to buy the stock. Volume figures reflect Monday through Friday. Open interest figures as of close of business Thursday. Our list includes only the week's 1,350 most actively traded index, equity and long-term options.

XC=Composite

P=Put