triple witching

English

Etymology

The idea of witching for these days is from the unusual patterns of trading that can occur ahead of the contract expiries.

Noun

triple witching (uncountable)

1. (finance) Simultaneous expiry on US markets of stock index futures, stock index options, and stock options, which took place on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December. (With the introduction of single stock futures those days are now quadruple witching.)

Derived terms

• triple witching hour