It is inherent in the system by which new series of options are opened for trading.
All stocks that have equity options traded belong to one of 3 basic cycles:
Cycle 1: Jan-Apr-Jul-Oct
Cycle 2: Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Cycle 3: Mar-Jun-Sep-Dec
The months listed in each case are considered the primary, or basic, months for options for a stock in that particular cycle.
Now, in order to know at all times what options are traded on a particular stock, you have to know only which cycle the stock is in, plus apply the following rule:
There will always be options trading in 4 different months: the current month, the next sequential following month, and the next two months belonging to the basic cycle for that issue.
On the Monday after expiration, the exchanges will open another new month according to that rule. Thus, for JDSU, which is in cycle 3, prior to expiration on Friday 1/21/2000, the 4 months trading were:
current month: Jan
next sequential following month: Feb
next two months of basic cycle: Mar and Jun
On Monday, the 4 months will be:
current month: Feb
next sequential following month: Mar
next two months of basic cycle: Jun and Sep
Lets take the case of a stock in which the options are traded in cycle 2. Prior to expiration last Friday, the 4 months were:
current month: Jan
next sequential month: Feb
next 2 months of basic cycle: May and Aug
On Monday, there will be:
current month: Feb
next sequential month: Mar (this will be the only new month opened)
next 2 months of basic cycle: May and Aug (both of which were already opened and trading).
A little verbose, but I hope this helps.
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