What is the primary difference between European options and American options?

The primary distinction between European and American options lies in the exercise feature. European options can only be exercised at the expiration date, meaning that the holder has to wait until the option's maturity to execute it. This characteristic impacts the flexibility and potential strategies employed by traders.

In contrast, American options provide more flexibility by allowing the holder to exercise the option at any time prior to the expiration date. This can be advantageous in volatile markets, where the holder may want to capitalize on favorable price movements before the option expires.

The other statements about the options do not accurately represent the key differences in their exercise features. Therefore, understanding that European options are limited to the exercise date is crucial in recognizing how they differ from American options, which offer more strategic possibilities through their exercise timeline.