On May 16, 2025, one of the largest options expirations of the year took place. On this day, a large volume of options on stocks, indices, ETFs, and other assets expired. According to Goldman Sachs, the total nominal value of expired options amounted to about $4.7 trillion, of which $2.8 trillion was for S&P 500 index options, and $645 billion was for individual stock options.

Expiration, especially on dates like the third Friday of the month, always draws heightened attention from traders and investors. On expiration day, markets often experience sharp volatility: large participants close or roll over positions, contracts are automatically executed, and prices can change dramatically.

For newcomers, it is especially important to understand that expiration is the moment when your option either produces a result or simply expires worthless.

Keep an eye on expiration dates, analyze market behavior on these days, and don’t leave important decisions to the last moment. The next major expiration is expected on June 20, 2025 — a great opportunity to adjust your strategy and better understand the market.