The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has cleared major tech stock options for expiration on January 20 and January 22, 2026, affecting high-profile names within the Mag 7 group. This regulatory nod comes amid investor caution following recent volatility in technology equities.
- SEC approved Mag 7 stock options expirations for January 20 and January 22, 2026
- Affected tickers include AAPL, GOOGL, AMZN, META, MSFT, NVDA, TSLA
- Nasdaq Composite fell 1.8% on January 2, 2026, amid tech sector weakness
- High open interest in out-of-the-money options may amplify volatility
- Market participants expected to adjust positions ahead of expiry dates
The Securities and Exchange Commission has formally approved the expiration of stock options tied to seven leading technology companies—commonly grouped as the Mag 7—scheduled for Monday, January 20, and Wednesday, January 22, 2026. The approval allows market participants to settle positions under established rules, signaling stability in derivatives markets despite recent downturns in tech shares. The clearance encompasses options linked to Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA), and Tesla (TSLA). These securities have seen elevated trading volumes and option activity throughout late 2025 and early 2026, reflecting strong institutional and retail interest in near-term directional bets. Although broader equity indices showed weakness during the first week of 2026, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping 1.8% on January 2—a move attributed to profit-taking and macro uncertainty—the SEC’s action suggests confidence in market infrastructure. The expiries could lead to increased volatility around those dates as option writers and holders adjust positions, particularly in out-of-the-money contracts with significant open interest. Broader implications include potential shifts in short-term liquidity, especially for options-heavy strategies such as spreads and straddles. Market makers and hedge funds are expected to manage risk exposure ahead of expiry, potentially influencing price movements in underlying stocks, particularly NVDA and META, which had the largest option flow volumes in December 2025.