Options Spread Strategies

Basic Options Spreads

An option spread is combination of the purchase or sale of two or more options covering the same underlying stock or security.

These options can be puts or calls (or sometimes stock too) and be of different expiries.

Each combination produces a different risk and profitability profile, often best visualised using a profit and loss diagram.

For example a trader may sell one AAPL Jan 540 call and buy one AAPL Jan 560 call, a type of call spread as defined below.

In all option spreads, a trader uses the chosen combinations of puts and calls to make a profit should an forecast outcome occur. This is usually that the underlying stock moves a particular way – up in the case of the call spread above – but in more complex trades can be an expected movement in volatility, or to take advantage of the passage of time (we will see how later).

There are three main types:

Vertical Call and Put Spread

So called because options with the same expiry date are quoted on an options chain quote board vertically.

Hence, vertical spreads involve put and call combination where the expiry date is the same, but the strike price is different.

Examples include bull/bear call/put spreads as discussed below, and backspreads discussed separately.

Bull Call Spread

A Bull Call Spread is a simple option combination used to trade an expected increase in a stock’s price, at minimal risk. It involves buying an option and selling a call option with a higher strike price; an example of a debit spread where there is a net outlay of funds to put on the trade.

So let’s say that IBM is at $162 at the end of October.

It might be possible to buy a Nov 160 call for $3.50 and sell a Nov 165 call for $1.00, a net cost of $2.50 per contract:

• Buy IBM Nov 160 Call 3.50
  Sell IBM Nov 165 Call 1.00
  Net Cost: $2.50

Should IBM rise and be above $165 at the end of November the spread would be worth $5, thus doubling the invested amount. Of course if it is lower, the spread is worth less, with the worst case being if IBM falls below $160, whereby the spread is worthless and all money is lost.

The trade is therefore a risk adjusted ‘bet’ that IBM will rise moderately over the next month.

We’ve covered the bull call spread in more detail here.

Bear Call Spread

A Bear Call Spread is a similar trade used to trade an expected fall in a stock’s price, at minimal risk. It involves selling an option and buying a call option with a higher strike price.

Note that this is a credit spread: ie that we receive money for a trade and, if we are correct and the stock does fall, weget to keep this if both options expire worthless.

So, again, with IBM at $162 we might sell the $160 Nov call and purchase the $165 Nov call (ie the opposite of before.

It might be possible to buy a Nov 160 call for $3.50 and sell a Nov 165 call for $1.00, a net cost of $2.50 per contract. ie:

• Buy IBM Nov 165 Call 1.00
  Sell IBM Nov 160 Call 3.50
  Net Credit: $2.50

If IBM falls below $160, as hoped, both options expire and we get to keep the $2.50.

However, should IBM rise and be above $160 at the end of November, the spread would have to be bought back at whatever value IBM is above $160. The breakeven point for the trade is $162.50.

The trade expectation is therefore that IBM will fall moderately over the next month.

Bull Put Spread

The put version of the bear call spread: ie a credit is received for ‘betting’ that stock will move in a particular direction (up, as compared to the bear call spread where the ‘bet’ was for the stock to fall). For example:

• Buy IBM Nov 155 Put 0.75
  Sell IBM Nov 160 Put 2.00
  Net Credit: $1.25

The full credit is kept if IBM is above $160 at the end of November.

Of course should IBM not be below $160, the spread would expire with some value (equal to the stock price less $160). Hence if this value is more than $1.25 – ie the stock price is above $161.25 – the strategy has lost money.

This $161.15 is the break even point of this trade.

Bear Put Spread

This is the put version of the bull call spread: ie an amount is paid up front which rises in value should the stock will move in the right particular direction (‘down’, compared to ‘up’ for the bear call spread). For example:

Buy IBM Nov 160 Put 2.00
Sell IBM Nov 155 Put 0.75
Net Cost: $1.25

Should IBM fall below $155 by the end of November, the spread is worth $5 (a significant increase from the original $1.25) investment.

However if the stock is above $158.75, the final value of the spread would be less than the $1.25 paid, and the trade would have made a loss.

We covered the bear put spread in more detail here.

Horizontal Call and Put Spread

So called because of options with different expiries being displayed horizontally on an options chain quote board.

They, therefore, involve buying and selling options with different expiry dates, but the same strike price (and, of course, underlying). A calendar spread, is a good example or horizontal call or put spread (see more here).

Diagonal Option Spreads

These, as the name suggest, are a combination of the two and are complex trades involved options of differening strike prices and expiry dates. An example is the LEAP covered call spread detailed later.

Covered Call

One popular option spread that doesn’t really fall into the above categories is the covered call which involves the purchase of stock and sell of a call option. More details on the covered call are available by clicking here.

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Advanced Options Spreads: Complex Put and Call Trades

Options have a lot of advantages; but in order to enjoy those advantages, the right strategy is essential. If traders understand how to use all the trading strategies, they can be successful.

We already been through some basic options spreads; now it’s time to go through some more complex strategies.

In particular we’ll look at some 4 option spread strategies such as the iron condor and butterfly spread (including when to put on and the related options greeks).

Strangle Option Spread

This strategy is a neutral one where an out-of-money put and out-of-money call are bought together simultaneously for the same expiration date and asset. It is also called “Long Strangle”.

When Would You Put One On?

When the trader believes that in the near short term, the underlying asset would display volatility, the straddle is apt.

When Does The Spread Make Money?

In this Option strategy, unlimited money is made when the underlying asset makes a volatile move. It could be downwards or upwards, that doesn’t matter.

Profit = Underlying Asset Price (>) Long Call’s Strike Price + Net Premium
Profit = Underlying Asset Price (>) Long Put’s Strike Price – Net Premium

When Does The Spread Lose Money?

The spread loses money when the price of the asset on expiration is between the Options’ strike prices.

Loss = Underlying Asset Price = Between Long Call’s Strike Price and Long Put’s Strike Price

Option Greeks

The Delta is neutral, the gamma is always positive, Theta is worst when asset doesn’t move, and Vega is always positive.

Illustration

Assume that Apple Stock is currently trading around $98. Strangle could be a good strategy if the trader is unsure about the direction in which the stock will go. So, the trader will buy a 97 put and a 99 call. Let us assume they have the same expiration date and value = $1.65. If the stock rallies past $102.3 (3.3+99), the put would have no value and the call would be in-the-money. If it declines, the put would be ITM and the call would have no value.

Straddle Option Spread

This strategy is also called “Long Straddle”. When a put and call are bought for the same asset, with the same expiration date and same strike price, it is called a straddle.

When Would You Put One On?

When the trader believes that in the near short term, the underlying asset will display significant volatility, a straddle strategy is used.

When Does The Spread Make Money?

Money is made by the strategy no matter which direction the underlying asset moves towards. The move has to be pretty strong, though.

Profit = Underlying Asset Price (greater than) Long Call’s Strike Price + Net Premium
Profit = Underlying Asset Price (greater than) Long Put’s Strike Price – Net Premium

When Does The Spread Lose Money?

If the price of the underlying asset during expiration is same as the strike price of the bought call and put, the spread loses money.

Loss = Underlying Asset Price = Long Call/Long Put’s Strike Price

Option Greeks

The Delta is neutral, the Gamma is always positive, Theta rises during expiration, and Vega is always positive.

Illustration

Take a new example and assume that Apple stock is currently around $175. Straddle would be a good strategy if the trader thinks that a huge move would be made on either side. A call and put with the same expiration date as the stock would be bought by the trader. Assume that the 175 Call and the 175 Put cost $10 each. If the stock rallies past $195, the call would be ITM by at least $20 and profits will pour in. If the stock falls below $175, the cost of the straddle would be covered. There is a 50/50 chance of being right about the direction because the cost of the straddle is the maximum loss a trader can incur.

Butterfly

In a butterfly spread strategy, there are three strike prices. Two calls are bought – one ITM and one OTM. Two ATM calls are sold.

When Would You Put One On?

When the trader believes that the rise or fall of the underlying stock would not be a lot by expiration, butterfly spread is the best.

When Does The Spread Make Money?

When the price of the underlying stock does not change at all during expiration, this strategy achieves its maximum profit.

Profit = Underlying Asset Price = Short Calls’ Strike Price

When Does This Spread Lose Money?

When the price of the underlying stock is less than or equal to the strike price ITM long call OR when its price is greater than or equal to the strike price of OTM long call, this spread loses money.

Loss = Underlying Asset Price (lesser than or =) ITM Call Strike Price
Loss = Underlying Asset Price (greater than or =) OTM Call Strike Price

Option Greeks

Delta is always positive, Gamma is lowest at ATM and highest at ITM and OTM, Theta is best when it remains in the profit area, and Vega stays positive as long as the volatility is not too much.

Illustration

Assume that Apple stock is trading at $90. Assume that an 80 call is purchased at $1100, two 90 calls are written at $400 (x2), and a 100 call is purchased at $100. The maximum loss would be the net debit = $400. If the price of Apple at expiration remains the same, the 40 calls and the 50 call would have no value and the profit would be $600. If, however, the stock trades below $80, all the options would be useless. If it trades above $100, the loss from the ITM and OTM calls would be set off by the profit from the ATM calls.

Iron Condor

In this strategy, one OTM put with lower strike is sold after buying one OTM put with strike even lower, and one OTM call with higher strike is sold after buying one OTM call with a strike even higher.

When Would You Put One On?

When the trader believes that low volatility is to be expected, the Iron Condor is chosen.

When Does The Spread Make Money?

When the price of the underlying asset is between the strike prices of the sold call and put, this strategy makes money.

Profit = Underlying Asset Price = Between Short Put Strike Price and Short Call Strike Price

When Does The Spread Lose Money?

The spread loses money when the price of the stock falls below purchased put’s strike price or rises above purchased call’s strike price. Loss can sometimes be greater than profit.

Loss = Underlying Asset Price (greater than or =) Long Call Strike Price
Loss = Underlying Asset Price ( lesser than or =) Long Put Strike Price

Option Greeks

The Delta is neutral, the Theta should stay positive, Gamma shouldn’t be too large, and negative Vega should be minimized.

Illustration

Apple Stock is trading at $45, Iron Condor would be – buying 35 Put at $50, writing 40 Put at $100, writing 50 Call at $100, and buying 55 Call at $50. The net credit ($100) is the maximum profit. If the expiration value is the same, all long and short options would be useless and maximum profit would be realized. If it falls to $35 or rises to $55, only the 40 Long Put would be useful and the maximums loss of $400 would be realized.

The following Complex Options Spreads are dealt with on separate Pages:

Backspread

LEAP Covered Call