EDUCBA

EDUCBA

MENUMENU
  • Explore
    • Lifetime Membership
    • All in One Bundles
    • Fresh Entries
    • Finance
    • Data Science
    • Programming and Dev
    • Excel
    • Marketing
    • HR
    • PDP
    • VFX and Design
    • Project Management
    • Exam Prep
    • All Courses
  • Blog
  • Enterprise
  • Free Courses
  • Login
Home Finance Finance Resources Finance Formula Delta Formula

Delta Formula

Madhuri Thakur
Article byMadhuri Thakur

Updated July 27, 2023

Delta Formula

Delta Formula (Table of Contents)
  • Formula
  • Examples
  • Calculator

What is Delta Formula?

In the world of options or derivatives, the term “delta” refers to the change in the value of the option owing to the change in the value of its underlying stock.

In other words, delta measures the rate of change of option value vis-à-vis the movement in the value of the underlying stock. Since delta is predominantly used for hedging strategies, it is also known as hedging ratio. The formula for delta can be derived by dividing the change in the value of the option by the change in the value of its underlying stock. Mathematically, it is represented as,

Start Your Free Investment Banking Course

Download Corporate Valuation, Investment Banking, Accounting, CFA Calculator & others

Delta Δ = (Of – Oi) / (Sf – Si)

where,

  • Of = Final value of the option
  • Oi = Initial value of the option
  • Sf = Final value of the underlying stock
  • Si = Initial value of the underlying stock

Examples of Delta Formula (With Excel Template)

Let’s take an example to understand the calculation of Delta in a better manner.

You can download this Delta Formula Excel Template here – Delta Formula Excel Template

Delta Formula – Example #1

Let us take the example of a commodity X which was trading at $500 in the commodity market one month back and the call option for the commodity was trading at a premium of $45 with a strike price of $480. Now, currently, the commodity is trading at $600 while the value of the option has surged up to $75. Calculate the delta of the call option based on the given information.

Example of a Commodity X

Delta Δ is calculated using the formula given below

Delta Δ = (Of – Oi) / (Sf – Si)

Calculation of Delta Formula

  • Delta Δ = ($75 – $45) / ($600 – $500)
  • Delta Δ = $0.30

Therefore, the delta of the call option is $0.30 where a positive sign indicates an increase in value with the increase in underlying stock price value which is the characteristic of a call option.

Delta Formula – Example #2

Let us take another example of a benchmark index which currently trading at $8,000 while the put option for the index is trading at $150. If the index was trading at $7,800 a month back while the put option was trading at $200, then calculate the delta of the put option.

Benchmark Index

Delta Δ is calculated using the formula given below

Delta Δ = (Of – Oi) / (Sf – Si)

Delta Formula -2.2

  • Delta Δ = ($150 – $200) / ($8,000 – $7,800)
  • Delta Δ = -$0.25

Therefore, the delta of the put option is -$0.25 where a negative sign indicates a decrease in value with the increase in underlying stock price value which is the characteristic of a put option.

Explanation

The formula for delta can be calculated by using the following steps:

Step 1: Firstly, Calculate the initial value of the option which is the premium charged for the option. It is denoted by Oi.

Step 2: Next, Calculate the final value of the option which is denoted by Of.

Step 3: Next, calculate the change in the value of the option by deducting the initial option value (step 1) from the final option value (step 2).

Change in an Option Value, ΔO = Of – Oi

Step 4: Next, Calculate the initial value of the underlying stock which can be any company stock, commodity index or benchmark index, etc. It is denoted by Si.

Step 5: Next, Calculate the final value of the underlying stock which is denoted by Sf.

Step 6: Next, calculate the change in the value of the underlying stock by deducting its initial value (step 4) from its final value (step 5).

Change in the Value of the Underlying Stock, ΔS = Sf – Si

Step 7: Finally, the formula for delta can be derived by dividing the change in the value of the option (step 3) by the change in the value of its underlying stock (step 6) as shown below.

Δ = ΔO / ΔS

or

Δ = (Of – Oi) / (Sf – Si)

Relevance and Uses of Delta Formula

In the world of options and derivatives, the concept of delta (one of the Greeks) is a very important one because it helps in assessing the option pricing and the direction of the underlying stock. Delta can have either positive or negative values depending on the type of option we are dealing with, i.e. delta can be in the range of 0 to 1 for call options which means the call option value increases with the increase in the underlying, while it can be in the range of -1 to 0 for put options which means exactly opposite to that of call option. Delta is often used as a hedging strategy where the portfolio manager intends to build a delta neutral strategy so that the portfolio has almost zero sensitivity to any movement in the underlying. As such, delta is a good indicator of the investor community.

Delta Formula Calculator

You can use the following Delta Calculator

Of
Oi
Sf
Si
Delta Δ
 

Delta Δ =
Of − Oi
=
Sf - Si
0−0
= 0
0-0

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Delta Formula. Here we discuss how to calculate Delta along with practical examples. We also provide a Delta calculator with a downloadable excel template. You may also look at the following articles to learn more –

  1. How to Calculate Equity Value using Formula?
  2. EBITDA Formula
  3. Calculation of Effective Tax Rate
  4. Examples of Correlation Formula
  5. Guide to Differences of Call Option vs Put Option
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Excel VBA Bundle
500+ Hours of HD Videos
15 Learning Paths
120+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
Financial Analyst Masters Training Program
2000+ Hours of HD Videos
43 Learning Paths
550+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Data Science Bundle
2000+ Hour of HD Videos
80 Learning Paths
400+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Software Development Bundle
5000+ Hours of HD Videos
149 Learning Paths
1050+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
Primary Sidebar
Footer
About Us
  • Blog
  • Who is EDUCBA?
  • Sign Up
  • Live Classes
  • Certificate from Top Institutions
  • Contact Us
  • Verifiable Certificate
  • Reviews
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  •  
Apps
  • iPhone & iPad
  • Android
Resources
  • Free Courses
  • Investment Banking Jobs Offer
  • Finance Formula
  • All Tutorials
Certification Courses
  • All Courses
  • Financial Analyst All in One Bundle
  • Investment Banking Training
  • Financial Modeling Course
  • Equity Research Course
  • Private Equity Training Course
  • Business Valuation Course
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Course

ISO 10004:2018 & ISO 9001:2015 Certified

© 2023 - EDUCBA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

EDUCBA

Download Delta Formula Excel Template

Let’s Get Started

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

EDUCBA
Free Investment Banking Course

Corporate Valuation, Investment Banking, Accounting, CFA Calculator & others

By continuing above step, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA Login

Forgot Password?

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

EDUCBA

डाउनलोड Delta Formula Excel Template

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Loading . . .
Quiz
Question:

Answer:

Quiz Result
Total QuestionsCorrect AnswersWrong AnswersPercentage

Explore 1000+ varieties of Mock tests View more

🚀 Extended Cyber Monday Price Drop! All in One Universal Bundle (3700+ Courses) @ 🎁 90% OFF - Ends in ENROLL NOW