Dow Jones Utility Average Index Options

DJUA index options are option contracts in which the underlying value is based on the level of the DJUA, is a price-weighted index of 15 of the largest, most liquid utility stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The Dow Jones Utility Average index option contract has an underlying value that is equal to the full value of the level of the DJUA index. The Dow Jones Utility Average index option trades under the symbol of DUX and has a contract multiplier of $100.

The DUX index option is an european style option and may only be exercised on the last business day before expiration.

How to Trade DJUA Index Options

If you are bullish on the DJUA, you can profit from a rise in its value by buying Dow Jones Utility Average (DUX) call options. On the other hand, if you believe that the DJUA index is poised to fall, then DUX put options should be purchased instead.

The following example depict a scenario where you buy a near-money DUX call option in anticipation of a rise in the level of the DJUA index. Note that for simplicity's sake, transaction costs have not been included in the calculations.

Example: Buy DUX Call Option (A Bullish Strategy)

You observed that the current level of the DJUA index is 337.37. The DUX is based on the full value of the underlying DJUA index and therefore trades at 337.37. A near-month DUX call option with a nearby strike price of 340 is being priced at $22.49. With a contract multiplier of $100.00, the premium you need to pay to own the call option is thus $2,249.00.

Assuming that by option expiration day, the level of the underlying DJUA index has risen by 15% to 387.98 and correspondingly, the DUX is now trading at 387.98 since it is based on the full value of the underlying DJUA index. With the DUX now significantly higher than the option strike price, your call option is now in the money. By exercising your call option, you will receive a cash settlement amount that is computed using the following formula:

Cash Settlement Amount = (Difference between Index Settlement Value and the Strike Price) x Contract Multiplier

So you will receive (387.98 - 340.00) x $100 = $4,797.55 from the option exercise. Deducting the initial premium of $2,249.00 you paid to buy the call option, your net profit from the long call strategy will come to $2,548.55.

In practice, it is usually not necessary to exercise the index call option to take profit. You can close out the position by selling the DUX call option in the options market. Proceeds from the option sale will also include any remaining time value if there is still some time left before the option expires.

In the example above, as the option sale is performed on expiration day, there is virtually no time value left. The amount you will receive from the DUX option sale will still be equal to it's intrinsic value.

Limited Downside Risk

One notable advantage of the long Dow Jones Utility Average call strategy is that the maximum possible loss is limited and is equal to the amount paid to purchase the DUX call option.

Suppose the DJUA index had dropped by 15% instead, pushing the DUX down to 286.76, which is way below the option strike price of 340. Now, in this scenario, it would not make any sense at all to exercise the call option as it will result in additional loss. Fortunately, you are holding an option contract, and not a futures contract, and so you are not obliged to anyway. You can just let the option expire worthless and your total loss will simply be the call option premium of $2,249.00.

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