A Guide Of Option Trading Strategies For Beginners.
Options are conditional derivative contracts that allow buyers of the contracts a. k.a the option holders, to buy or sell a security at a chosen price. Option buyers are charged an amount called a "premium" by the sellers for such a right. Should market prices be unfavorable for option holders, they will let the option expire worthless and thus ensuring that the losses are not higher than the premium. In contrast, option sellers, a. k.a option writers assume greater risk than the option buyers, which is why they demand this premium.
Options are divided into "call" and "put" options. A call option is where the buyer of the contract purchases the right to buy the underlying asset in the future at a predetermined price, called exercise price or strike price. A put option is where the buyer acquires the right to sell the underlying asset in the future at the predetermined price.
Why trade options rather than a direct asset?
There are some advantages to trading options. The Chicago Board of Option Exchange (CBOE) is the largest such exchange in the world, offering options on a wide variety of single stocks and indices. Traders can construct option strategies ranging from simple ones usually with a single option, to very complex ones that involve multiple simultaneous option positions.
[Options allow for both simple and more complex trading strategies that can lead to some impressive returns. This article will give you a rundown of some basic strategies, but to learn practice in detail check out Investopedia Academy's Options Course, which will teach you the knowledge and skills the most successful options trader use when playing the odds.]
The following are basic option strategies for beginners.
This is the preferred position of traders who are:
Bullish on a particular stock or index and do not want to risk their capital in case of downside movement. Wanting to take leveraged profit on bearish market.
Options are leveraged instruments – they allow traders to amplify the benefit by risking smaller amounts than would otherwise be required if the underlying asset traded itself. Standard options on a single stock is equivalent in size to 100 equity shares. By trading options, investors can take advantage of leveraging options. Suppose a trader wants to invest around $5000 in Apple (AAPL), trading around $127 per share. With this amount he/she can purchase 39 shares for $4953. Suppose then that the price of the stock increases about 10% to $140 over the next two months. Ignoring any brokerage, commission or transaction fees, the trader’s portfolio will rise to $5448, leaving the trader a net dollar return of $448 or about 10% on the capital invested.
Given the trader's available investment budget he/she can buy 9 options for $4,997.65. The a contract size is 100 Apple shares, so the trader is effectively making a deal of 900 Apple shares. As per the above scenario, if the price increases to $140 at expiration on 15 May 2015, the trader’s payoff from the option position will be as follows:
Net profit from the position will be 11,700 – 4,997.65= 6,795 or a 135% return on capital invested, a much larger return compared to trading the underlying asset directly.
Risk of the strategy: The trader's potential loss from a long call is limited to the premium paid. Potential profit is unlimited, meaning the payoff will increase as much as the underlying asset price increases.
This is the preferred position of traders who are:
Bearish on an underlying return but do not want to take the risk of adverse movement in a short sell strategy. Wishing to take advantage of leveraged position.
If a trader is bearish on the market, he can short sell an asset like Microsoft (MSFT) for example. However, buying a put option on the shares can be an alternative strategy. A put option will allow the trader to benefit from the position if the price of the stock falls. If on the other hand the price does increase, the trader can then let the option expire worthless losing only the premium.
Risk of the strategy: Potential loss is limited to the premium paid for the option (cost of the option multiplied the contract size). Since payoff function of the long put is defined as max(exercise price - stock price - 0) the maximum profit from the position is capped, since the stock price cannot drop below zero (See the graph).
This is the preferred position of traders who:
Expect no change or a slight increase in the underlying price. Want to limit upside potential in exchange of limited downside protection.
The covered call strategy involves a short position in a call option and a long position in the underlying asset. The long position ensures that the short call writer will deliver the underlying price should the long trader exercise the option. With an out of the money call option, a trader collects a small amount of premium, also allowing limited upside potential. Collected premium covers the potential downside losses to some extent. Overall, the strategy synthetically replicates the short put option, as illustrated in the graph below.
Suppose on 20 March 2015, a trader uses $39,000 to buy 1000 shares of BP (BP) at $39 per share and simultaneously writes a $45 call option at the cost of $0.35, expiring on 10 June. Net proceeds from this strategy is an outflow of $38.650 (0.35*1,000 – 39*1,000) and thus total investment expenditure is reduced by the premium of $350 collected from the short call option position. The strategy in this example implies that the trader does not expect the price to move above $45 or significantly below $39 over the next three months. Losses in the stock portfolio up to $350 (in case the price decreases to $38.65) will be offset by the premium received from the option position, thus, a limited downside protection will be provided.
Risk of the strategy: If the share price increases more than $45 at expiration, the short call option will be exercised and the trader will have to deliver the stock portfolio, losing it entirely. If the the share price drops significantly below $39 e. g. $30, the option will expire worthless, but the stock portfolio will also lose significant value significantly a small compensation equal to the premium amount.
This position would be preferred by traders who own the underlying asset and want downside protection.
The strategy involves a long position in the underlying asset and as well as a long put option position.
An alternative strategy would be selling the underlying asset, but the trader may not want to liquidate the portfolio. Perhaps because he/she expects high capital gain over the long term and therefore seeks protection on the short run.
If the underlying price increases at maturity, the option expires worthless and the trader loses the premium but still has the benefit of the increased underlying price which he is holding. On the other hand, if the underlying price decreases, the trader’s portfolio position loses value but this loss is largely covered up by the gain from the put option position that is exercised under the given circumstances. Hence, the protective put position can effectively be thought of as an insurance strategy. The trader can set exercise price below the current price to reduce premium payment at the expense of decreasing downside protection. This can be thought of as deductible insurance.
Suppose for example that an investor buys 1000 shares of Coca-Cola (KO) at a price of $40 and wants to protect the investment from adverse price movements over the next three months. The following put options are available:
15 June 2015 options.
The table implies that the cost of the protection increases with the level thereof. For example, if the trader wants to protect the investment portfolio against any drop in price, he can buy 10 put options at a strike price of $40. In other words, he can buy an at the money option which is very costly. The trader will end up paying $4,250 for this option. However, if the trader is willing to tolerate some level of downside risk, he can choose less costly out of the money options such as a $35 put. In this case, the cost of the option position will be much lower, only $2,250.
Risk of the strategy: If the price of the underlying drops, the potential loss of the overall strategy is limited by the difference between the initial stock price and strike price plus premium paid for the option. In the example above, at the strike price of $35, the loss is limited to $7.25 ($40-$35+$2.25). Meanwhile, the potential loss of the strategy involving at the money options will be limited to the option premium.
Options offer alternative strategies for investors to profit from trading underlying securities. There's a variety strategies involving different combinations of options, underlying assets and other derivatives. Basic strategies for beginners are buying call, buying put, selling covered call and buying protective put, while other strategies involving options would require more sophisticated knowledge and skills in derivatives. There are advantages to trading options rather than underlying assets, such as downside protection and leveraged return, but there are also disadvantages like the requirement for upfront premium payment.

10 Options Strategies to Know.
10 Options Strategies To Know.
Too often, traders jump into the options game with little or no understanding of how many options strategies are available to limit their risk and maximize return. With a little bit of effort, however, traders can learn how to take advantage of the flexibility and full power of options as a trading vehicle. With this in mind, we've put together this slide show, which we hope will shorten the learning curve and point you in the right direction.
10 Options Strategies To Know.
Too often, traders jump into the options game with little or no understanding of how many options strategies are available to limit their risk and maximize return. With a little bit of effort, however, traders can learn how to take advantage of the flexibility and full power of options as a trading vehicle. With this in mind, we've put together this slide show, which we hope will shorten the learning curve and point you in the right direction.
1. Covered Call.
Aside from purchasing a naked call option, you can also engage in a basic covered call or buy-write strategy. In this strategy, you would purchase the assets outright, and simultaneously write (or sell) a call option on those same assets. Your volume of assets owned should be equivalent to the number of assets underlying the call option. Investors will often use this position when they have a short-term position and a neutral opinion on the assets, and are looking to generate additional profits (through receipt of the call premium), or protect against a potential decline in the underlying asset's value. (For more insight, read Covered Call Strategies For A Falling Market.)
2. Married Put.
In a married put strategy, an investor who purchases (or currently owns) a particular asset (such as shares), simultaneously purchases a put option for an equivalent number of shares. Investors will use this strategy when they are bullish on the asset's price and wish to protect themselves against potential short-term losses. This strategy essentially functions like an insurance policy, and establishes a floor should the asset's price plunge dramatically. (For more on using this strategy, see Married Puts: A Protective Relationship . )
3. Bull Call Spread.
In a bull call spread strategy, an investor will simultaneously buy call options at a specific strike price and sell the same number of calls at a higher strike price. Both call options will have the same expiration month and underlying asset. This type of vertical spread strategy is often used when an investor is bullish and expects a moderate rise in the price of the underlying asset. (To learn more, read Vertical Bull and Bear Credit Spreads.)
4. Bear Put Spread.
The bear put spread strategy is another form of vertical spread​ like the bull call spread. In this strategy, the investor will simultaneously purchase put options at a specific strike price and sell the same number of puts at a lower strike price. Both options would be for the same underlying asset and have the same expiration date. This method is used when the trader is bearish and expects the underlying asset's price to decline. It offers both limited gains and limited losses. (For more on this strategy, read Bear Put Spreads: A Roaring Alternative To Short Selling.)
Investopedia Academy "Options for Beginners"
Now that you've learned a few different options strategies, if you're ready to take the next step and learn to:
Improve flexibility in your portfolio by adding options Approach Calls as down-payments, and Puts as insurance Interpret expiration dates, and distinguish intrinsic value from time value Calculate breakevens and risk management Explore advanced concepts such as spreads, straddles, and strangles.
5. Protective Collar.
A protective collar strategy is performed by purchasing an out-of-the-money put option and writing an out-of-the-money call option at the same time, for the same underlying asset (such as shares). This strategy is often used by investors after a long position in a stock has experienced substantial gains. In this way, investors can lock in profits without selling their shares. (For more on these types of strategies, see Don't Forget Your Protective Collar and How a Protective Collar Works.)
6. Long Straddle.
A long straddle options strategy is when an investor purchases both a call and put option with the same strike price, underlying asset and expiration date simultaneously. An investor will often use this strategy when he or she believes the price of the underlying asset will move significantly, but is unsure of which direction the move will take. This strategy allows the investor to maintain unlimited gains, while the loss is limited to the cost of both options contracts. (For more, read Straddle Strategy A Simple Approach To Market Neutral . )
7. Long Strangle.
In a long strangle options strategy, the investor purchases a call and put option with the same maturity and underlying asset, but with different strike prices. The put strike price will typically be below the strike price of the call option, and both options will be out of the money. An investor who uses this strategy believes the underlying asset's price will experience a large movement, but is unsure of which direction the move will take. Losses are limited to the costs of both options; strangles will typically be less expensive than straddles because the options are purchased out of the money. (For more, see Get A Strong Hold On Profit With Strangles.)
8. Butterfly Spread.
All the strategies up to this point have required a combination of two different positions or contracts. In a butterfly spread options strategy, an investor will combine both a bull spread strategy and a bear spread strategy, and use three different strike prices. For example, one type of butterfly spread involves purchasing one call (put) option at the lowest (highest) strike price, while selling two call (put) options at a higher (lower) strike price, and then one last call (put) option at an even higher (lower) strike price. (For more on this strategy, read Setting Profit Traps With Butterfly Spreads . )
9. Iron Condor.
An even more interesting strategy is the iron condor. In this strategy, the investor simultaneously holds a long and short position in two different strangle strategies. The iron condor is a fairly complex strategy that definitely requires time to learn, and practice to master. (We recommend reading more about this strategy in Take Flight With An Iron Condor, Should You Flock To Iron Condors? and try the strategy for yourself (risk-free!) using the Investopedia Simulator.)
10. Iron Butterfly.
The final options strategy we will demonstrate here is the iron butterfly. In this strategy, an investor will combine either a long or short straddle with the simultaneous purchase or sale of a strangle. Although similar to a butterfly spread, this strategy differs because it uses both calls and puts, as opposed to one or the other. Profit and loss are both limited within a specific range, depending on the strike prices of the options used. Investors will often use out-of-the-money options in an effort to cut costs while limiting risk. (To learn more, read What is an Iron Butterfly Option Strategy?)

Options Trading Strategies.
How to Trade Options.
By Beth Gaston Moon, InvestorPlace Contributor.
Options Trading Strategies: Buying Call Options.
Buying a call option —or making a “long call” trade— is a simple and straightforward strategy for taking advantage of an upside move or trend. It is also probably the most basic and most popular of all option strategies. Once you purchase a call option (also called “establishing a long position”), you can:
• Exercise your right to buy the stock at the strike price on or before expiration.
A call option gives you the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock (or “call” it away from its owner) at the option’s strike price for a set period of time (until your options will expire and are no longer valid).
Typically, the main reason for buying a call option is because you believe the underlying stock will appreciate before expiration to more than the strike price plus the premium you paid for the option. The goal is to be able to turn around and sell the call at a higher price than what you paid for it.
The maximum amount you can lose with a long call is the initial cost of the trade (the premium paid), plus commissions, but the upside potential is unlimited. However, because options are a wasting asset, time will work against you. So be sure to give yourself enough time to be right.
Options Trading Strategies: Buying Put Options.
Investors occasionally want to capture profits on the down side, and buying put options is a great way to do so. This strategy allows you to capture profits from a down move the same way you capture money on calls from an up move. Many people also use this strategy for hedges on stocks they already own if they expect some short-term downside in the shares.
When you purchase a put option, it gives you the right (but, not the obligation) to sell (or “put” to someone else) a stock at the specified price for a set time period (when your options will expire and no longer be valid).
For many traders, buying puts on stocks they believe are headed lower can carry less risk than shorting the stock and can also provide greater liquidity and leverage. Many stocks that are expected to decline are heavily shorted. Because of this, it’s difficult to borrow the shares (especially on a short-them basis).
On the other hand, buying a put is generally easier and doesn’t require you to borrow anything. If the stock moves against you and heads higher, your loss is limited to the premium paid if you buy a put. If you’re short the stock, your loss is potentially unlimited as the stock rallies. Gains for a put option are theoretically unlimited down to the zero mark if the underlying stock loses ground.
Options Trading Strategies: Covered Calls.
Covered calls are often one of the first option strategies an investor will try when first getting started with options. Typically, investor will already own shares of the underlying stock and will sell an out-of-the-money call to collect premium. The investor collects a premium for selling the call and is protected (or “covered”) in case the option is called away because the shares are available to be delivered if needed, without an additional cash outlay.
One main reason investors employ this strategy is to generate additional income on the position with the hope that the option expires worthless (i. e., does not become in-the-money by expiration). In this scenario, the investor keeps both the credit collected and the shares of the underlying. Another reason is to “lock in” some existing gains.
The maximum potential gain for a covered call is the difference between the purchased stock price and the call strike price plus any credit collected for selling the call. The best-case scenario for a covered call is for the stock to finish right at the sold call strike. The maximum loss, should the stock experience a plunge all the way to zero, is the purchase price of the strike minus the call premium collected. Of course, if an investor saw his stock spiraling toward zero, he would probably opt to close the position long before this time.
Options Trading Strategies: Cash-Secured Puts.
A cash-secured put strategy consists of a sold put option, typically one that is out-of-the-money (that is, the strike price is below the current stock price). The “cash-secured” part is a safety net for the investor and his broker, as enough cash is kept on hand to buy the shares in case of assignment.
Investors will often sell puts and secure them with cash when they have a moderately bullish outlook on a stock. Rather than buy the stock outright, they sell the put and collect a small premium while “waiting” for that stock to decline to a more palatable buy-in point.
If we exclude the possibility of acquiring the stock, the maximum profit is the premium collected for selling the put. The maximum loss is unlimited down to zero (which is why many brokers make you earmark cash for the purpose of buying the stock if it’s “put” to you). Breakeven for a short put strategy is the strike price of the sold put less the premium paid.
Options Trading Strategies: Credit Spreads.
Option spreads are another way relatively novice options traders can begin to explore this new family of derivatives. The most basic credit and debit spreads combine two puts or calls to yield a net credit (or debit) and create a strategy that offers both limited reward and limited risk. There are four types of basic spreads: credit spreads (bear call spreads and bull put spreads) and debit spreads (bull call spreads and bear put spreads). As their names imply, credit spreads are opened when the trader sells a spread and collects a credit; debit spreads are created when an investor buys a spread, paying a debit to do so.
In all of the types of spreads below, the options purchased/sold are on the same underlying security and in the same expiration month.
Bear Call Spreads.
A bear call spread consists of one sold call and a further-from-the-money call that is purchased. Because the sold call is more expensive than the purchased, the trader collects an initial premium when the trade is executed and then hopes to keep some (if not all) of this credit when the options expire. A bear call spread may also be referred to as a short call spread or a vertical call credit spread.
The risk/reward profile of the strategy can vary depending on the “moneyness” of the options selected (whether they are already out-of-the-money when the trade is executed or in-the-money, requiring a sharper downside move in the underlying). Out-of-the-money options will naturally be cheaper, and therefore the initial credit collected will be smaller. Traders accept this smaller premium in exchange for lower risk, as out-of-the-money options are more likely to expire worthless.
Maximum loss, should the underlying stock be trading above the long call strike, is the difference in strike prices less the premium paid. For example, if a trader sells a $32.50 call and buys a $35 call, collecting a credit of 90 cents, the maximum loss on a move above $35 is $1.60. The maximum potential profit is limited to the credit collected if the stock is trading below the short call strike at expiration. Breakeven is the strike of the purchased put plus the net credit collected (in the above example, $35.90).
Bull Put Spreads.
These are a moderately bullish to neutral strategy for which the seller collects premium, a credit, when opening the trade. Typically speaking, and depending on whether the spread traded is in-, at-, or out-of-the-money, a bull put spread seller wants the stock to hold its current level (or advance modestly). Because a credit is collected at the time of the trade’s inception, the ideal scenario is for both puts to expire worthless. For this to happen, the stock must be trading above the higher strike price at expiration.
Unlike a more aggressive bullish play (such as a long call), gains are limited to the credit collected. But risk is also capped at a set amount, no matter what happens to the underlying stock. Maximum loss is just the difference in strike prices less the initial credit. Breakeven is the higher strike price less this credit.
While traders are not going to collect 300% returns through credit spreads, they can be one way for traders to steadily collect modest credits. This is especially true when volatility levels are high and options can be sold for a reasonable premium.
Options Trading Strategies: Debit Spreads.
Bull Call Spreads.
The bull call spread is a moderately bullish strategy for investors projecting modest upside (or at least no downside) in the underlying stock, ETF or index. The two-legged vertical spread combines the same number of long (purchased) closer-to-the-money calls and short (sold) farther-from-the-money calls. The investor pays a debit to open this type of spread.
The strategy is more conservative than a straight long call purchase, as the sold higher-strike call helps offset both the cost and the risk of the purchased lower-strike call.
A bull call spread’s maximum risk is simply the debit paid at the time of the trade (plus commissions). The maximum loss is endured if the shares are trading below the long call strike, at which point, both options expire worthless. Maximum potential profit for a bull call spread is the difference between strike prices less the debit paid. Breakeven is the long strike plus the debit paid. Above this level, the spread begins to earn money.
Bear Put Spreads.
Investors employ this options strategy by buying one put and simultaneously selling another lower-strike put, paying a debit for the transaction. An investor might use this strategy if he expects moderate downside in the underlying stock but wants to offset the cost of a long put.
Maximum loss — suffered if the underlying stock is trading above the long put strike at expiration — is limited to the debit paid. The maximum potential profit is capped at the difference between the sold and purchased strike prices less this premium (and is achieved if the underlying is trading south of the short put). Breakeven is the strike of the purchased put minus the net debit paid.
Okay, now you’ve learned the basics and may be itching to try your hand at virtual options trading. It’s time to select a broker if you don’t already have one.
Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, investorplace/2012/04/options-trading-strategies/.
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