Skip to main content

What Happens to the Time Value of an ATM Option at Expiration?

The time value of an At-The-Money (ATM) option decays completely to zero at expiration. Since an ATM option has zero intrinsic value, if it remains ATM at expiration, it expires worthless.

The buyer loses the entire premium, which was entirely time value.

How Does Time Value (Extrinsic Value) Relate to an Option’s Total Premium?
Why Is a Zero or Near-Zero Growth Rate Often Preferred for Crypto Terminal Value?
What Is the ‘Time Value’ Component of an Option?
How Does the Time until Expiration Affect the Extrinsic Value of an Option?