In our previous reports, we discussed option strategies that feature the use of options in combination with stock such as the buy-write and the use of options against each other in the form of spreads. We will focus on the Straddle, which uses options in unison with each other.
Unlike a spread that features a long [...]
The selection and management of a vertical spread are only two-thirds of the game. Closing out, rolling or morphing the position has to be analyzed and executed with the same due diligence.
Looking at the closing out of a vertical call spread, we find there are three possible outcomes. The spread can finish out-of-the-money and valueless. [...]
It is important to remember that the time spread will leave you with several potential positions that can be altered by other options or stock in numerous ways.
There are a number of decisions you must make to clarify your understanding and goals. Being open to a number decisions can be a very good thing [...]
Vertical spreads can have various names. The same vertical spread could be called several different things by several different people. We have used two terms only: vertical call spread and vertical put spread. Each of these two spreads allows for two positions, long and short.
The long vertical call spread is constructed by buying one call [...]
When vertical spreads are mentioned, they quite often come with monikers such as ‘bull’ and ‘bear’. This lends most to think of vertical spreads as directional plays which is true. However, vertical spreads can be used to take advantage of two other potential trading opportunities – time decay and volatility movement.
If you are looking for [...]
An options trading rolling strategy is a strategy where you move your strike point to a new strike point during the month. Rolling basically means moving. In the world of options trading, this movement happens when you move positions from one strike point to another. That can either happen when you move [...]
Time spreads can be a profitable investment strategy if you understand the concept of time decay. A time spread is designed to take advantage of the fact that an options decay curve is non-linear, that is, an option’s value does not decay evenly over time. As an option gets closer to expiration, its rate of [...]
During the life of a vertical call spread, the spread will trade between its minimum and maximum values (between 0 and the difference between the two strikes). In the case of a vertical call spread, the spread will trade closer to zero when the stock trades closer to or lower than the lower strike price. [...]
An investor must always keep in mind that vertical spreads have an intrinsic value. This means it is possible to consider them ‘in the money.’ If a vertical spread has an intrinsic value, it can also have an extrinsic value. Unlike maximum intrinsic values that equal the difference between the strikes at expiration, maximum extrinsic [...]
To get a firm grasp of volatility’s effect on vertical spreads, let us examine three spreads against different implied volatilities while keeping the stock price constant at 67.5. These are the 60 – 65, 65 – 70 and 70 – 75 call spreads.
In-the-Money Vertical Spreads
Looking at the in-the-money spread (June 60 – 65), we see [...]