About this episode
10 Major Differences Between SPY and SPX OptionsSPY and SPX give you exposure to the S&P 500, but these options have key differences you should know before getting started.Paying DividendsSPX does not pay a dividend, but SPY does. Dividends may not seem relevant because someone buying options does not own shares. You only receive the dividend if you own the shares before the ex-dividend date.But the dividend is relevant for options traders. Some traders may exercise SPY options early to be on time for the dividend. An ex-dividend also lowers the stock price, which will affect your option’s value. If SPY offers a $1.60 dividend this quarter, SPY’s share price will decrease by $1.60 on the ex-dividend date. Options do not get adjusted downward proportionally to the ex-dividend, but a decrease in share price hurts calls and helps puts.Trading StyleTraders can use two approaches for their options trading. SPY options use the American style of option trading, while SPX options use the European trading style.Investment CostSeveral factors influence an option’s cost, including the underlying asset’s price. Because the S&P 500 is roughly 10 times the price of SPY, the options for SPX require a higher investment. An investor would have to purchase 10 SPY calls with $400 strike prices to get the same exposure as one SPX call with a $4,000 strike price.Settlement PriceIf a SPY option gets exercised, shares exchange hands. A call holder will receive 100 shares, while someone with a put can sell their 100 shares. Instead of letting traders exchange shares, SPX options involve cash. SPX options give traders the cash equivalent of their in-the-money profits plus the initial investment. If the option expires worthless, the trader gets nothing back.ExpirationSPY options follow the American trading style, which means options expire on Fridays at 4 p.m. Eastern. Some ETFs like SPY have multiple expiration dates each week, but most stocks expire after Friday’s close.SPX options follow a different model, the European trading style. Most European options also expire on Friday’s close, but the third Friday of each month presents an exception. Options that expire on the third Friday don’t benefit from Friday’s price movements. These options stop trading after Thursday’s close. You cannot exercise a SPX option and have to wait for the settlement date to receive cash (SPX options do not involve shares changing hands), but you can exercise a SPY option at any time.ContractOptions traders can only get involved with two types of contracts: calls and puts. These derivatives e
