Buying, writing and settling options

Step by step

1. 1Choose the contract in Select option. For a new contract, select Enter new option and then its share or index. An existing share is available, but you do not need to hold it. You can enter a name for another share or an index.
2. 2Enter Call or Put, expiry date and strike price. These details form the recognisable name, for example Weight Watchers, 2026 Oct 16 Call $22.00. For an existing share, the currency follows that share; for a separate name, select the currency. Strike price and option premium use the same currency.
3. 3Enter the number of contracts and Total premium. For two contracts yielding €300 in total, the total premium is €300. Do not enter the strike price or nominal contract value here. Enter fees separately.
4. 4Use Events for exercise or assignment. Choose the actual call or put event, the shares received or delivered, their quantity, the share action and the total exercise price. Shares are handled in the same posting; do not enter the delivery again as a separate share trade.
5. 5At expiry, select the appropriate event for a purchased or written option. For cash settlement, enter the actual gross settlement amount. Transferring an option position moves only the option, not the underlying share.
6. 6In Year-end value, record the actual closing quote. Specify whether the quote is per whole contract or per underlying unit. For the latter, enter the contract factor; the software does not automatically assume 100.

What is on the screen?

• Share or index, Call/Put and expiry date
• Strike price and contract currency
• Number of contracts and total premium
• Delivery or cash settlement

What happens next?

Purchased and written options remain separately identifiable. For exercise or assignment, the preview shows the effects on both the option and the shares.

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