In-the-money

An option is in-the-money at any point up to expiration if the exercise price is below the market price of a call option or above the market price of a put option. That means an in-the-money option has value.

For example, if you hold an equity call option with a strike price of 50, and the current market price of the stock is $52, the option is in-the-money.

As the option holder, you could buy the stock at $50 and either sell it at $52 or add it to your portfolio. Or, if you preferred, you could sell the option, potentially at a profit.

In-the-money options are generally among the most actively traded, especially as the expiration date approaches.