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Rho: Definition

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Simple Definition

The Greek that measures how much an option price changes for a 1% change in interest rates.

Why It Matters

Rho is the least-watched Greek for short-dated equity options because rate moves are small relative to other drivers. It matters more for long-dated options like LEAPS, where months of accrued interest can shift theoretical value. A rising-rate environment helps call values and hurts put values, all else equal.

Key Points

  • Call rho is positive (higher rates lift calls); put rho is negative
  • Quoted per 1% change in the risk-free rate, e.g. 0.05 = $5 per contract per 1%
  • Larger for LEAPS and deep-ITM options, near zero for weekly options

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Common Questions

The Greek that measures how much an option price changes for a 1% change in interest rates. Rho is the least-watched Greek for short-dated equity options because rate moves are small relative to other drivers. It matters more for long-dated options like LEAPS, where months of accrued interest can shift theoretical value.

Rho is the least-watched Greek for short-dated equity options because rate moves are small relative to other drivers. It matters more for long-dated options like LEAPS, where months of accrued interest can shift theoretical value. A rising-rate environment helps call values and hurts put values, all else equal.

Call rho is positive (higher rates lift calls); put rho is negative

Quoted per 1% change in the risk-free rate, e.g. 0.05 = $5 per contract per 1%

Larger for LEAPS and deep-ITM options, near zero for weekly options