Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (2024)

Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (1)

A straddle is an investment strategy that involves the purchase or sale of an option allowing the investor to profit regardless of the direction of movement of the underlying asset, usually a stock.

There are two straddle strategies, a long straddle and a short straddle.

A long straddle involves a long position, where an investor purchases both a call option and a put option, both withidentical strike prices and identical expiration dates.

A profit is made if the underlying asset moves significantly from the strike price in either direction.

An investor would use a straddle strategy when the market is volatile, and the investor is unsure of the direction of a stock, but certain that a large price movement will occur in either direction.

Example of a Long Straddle Strategy

We will use an example of a Long Straddle on Unilever stock (UL). In this example, Unilever is trading at $40.00. They have an earnings release coming up, and we expect this release to cause the price to move up or down, but we don’t know in which direction.

To make a “Straddle”, we would place two trades: a “Call” and a “Put”, with the same strike price and expiration.

Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (2)

Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (3)

Note that to make the straddle, we are placing two separate “Simple” option trades.

Making a Profit

For simplicity, assume that each option contract costs $5. Thus we:

  • Buy 40 putcontracts costing $200.
  • Buy 40 callcontracts for $200.

The trade has cost usa total of $400 to enter both positions. Even if things go horribly wrong, we cannot lose more than this $400.

If ULis trading at $50 at expiration, the 40 put contracts expire worthless, but the JUL 40 call contracts expire in the money with an intrinsic value of $900.

The investor’s profit (or loss) is calculated by subtracting the intrinsic value from the initial investment = $900 – $400 = $300.

Suppose that on expiration, ULhas not moved at all, so the stock price is the same as our strike price.

Both the call and put positions expire worthless and have no intrinsic value.

The investor’s profit (loss) is = $0-$400 = ($400).

The investor realizes a total loss when the stock closes on expiration date at exactly the strike price therefore having no intrinsic value.

A short straddle strategy involves simultaneously selling a put and a call of the same underlying security, having the same strike price and same expiration date.

Since the investor is selling options, their risk is theoretically unlimited, but there is a ceiling to the profits.

Unlike a long straddle, an investor can expect a profit when there is little volatility, so you would create a short straddle if you expect the stock to stay constant until the expiration of your contracts. An investor gains when the stock closes on expiration date at the target price.

Example of a Short Straddle strategy

Our example will be identical to the one above, but the key difference is that we “Sell to Open” instead of “Buy to Open”:

Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (4)

Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (5)

For simplicity, assume that each option contract costs $5. Thus we:

  • Sell40 putcontracts costing $200.
  • Sell40 callcontracts for $200.

Thus our total revenue from the sales is $400. This is our Maximum Profit.

If ULhas strong buying activity for several weeks and climbs to $50 (25% gain), the put contracts will expire worthless, but the 40 call contracts expires in the money, with an intrinsic value of $400.

Our profit (loss) is calculated as the difference between the initial net credit and the intrinsic value= $400 – $400= 0, so we broke even on this straddle.

Suppose the stock is still trading at $40 on the day of expiration.

The put contracts and call contracts both have an intrinsic value of exactly 0.

Again, the investor’s profit is = $400 – $0 = $400.

A maximum potential profit exists when the stock closes exactly at the strike price.

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Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab (2024)

FAQs

Creating Option Straddles - PersonalFinanceLab? ›

To make a “Straddle”, we would place two trades: a “Call” and a “Put”, with the same strike price and expiration. Note that to make the straddle, we are placing two separate “Simple” option trades.

How to create a straddle option? ›

Requirements for a Straddle Trade

A trade is considered a straddle if it meets the following requirements: The trader can either buy or sell call or put options. The options should be part of the same security. The strike price should be the same for both trades.

Can you make money with straddle options? ›

Straddle Strategy Positions

The strategy has the potential to earn income regardless of whether the underlying security increases or decreases in price. The strategy may be useful when major news is anticipated but it's uncertain in which direction markets will take events.

Are option straddles risky? ›

Sellers of straddles also face increased risk, because higher volatility means that there is a greater probability of a big stock price change and, therefore, a greater probability that an option seller will incur a loss.

What is the riskiest option strategy? ›

Selling call options on a stock that is not owned is the riskiest option strategy. This is also known as writing a naked call and selling an uncovered call.

Which is best straddle strategy? ›

- Straddle based strategies are best used when you expect a rise or drop in volatility of the underlying. - A long straddle takes advantage of a sudden increase in volatility or vega, which can happen during times of an uncertain event.

What are the disadvantages of straddle strategy? ›

Disadvantages of the short straddle strategy:

Unlimited loss potential: One of the primary drawbacks of the short straddle is its potential for unlimited losses. If the underlying asset experiences a significant price movement in either direction, the investor can face substantial losses.

Is it smart to straddle? ›

This is the conventional wisdom—as a blind bet, playing a straddle is almost never considered good poker strategy. If you haven't even seen your hole cards yet, you have nothing to base your bet on. All a straddle does is increase the stakes of the game. The straddle effectively doubles the big blind.

What is the alternative to a straddle option? ›

Straddles and strangles are two of the most common and popular options strategies that take advantage of stock price movements. Simply put, a straddle uses a call and put with the same strike price and expiration date, while a strangle uses a call and put with the same expiration date but different strike prices.

Which is more profitable straddle or strangle? ›

Long strangle

With the put option, potential profit could increase as the price drops; it is limited by the underlying asset falling to $0. Cost: A strangle strategy typically costs less than a straddle because the options are OTM, but also generally requires more movement in the underlying stock to potentially profit.

What is the killer rule for straddles? ›

§ 1.1092(b)-2T(b)(2) (1986).). Short-term gains offset by 60/40 losses are left unchanged. The killer rule “converts” only one way—in the government's favor—and it is a “killer” to any taxpayer with a substantial volume of mixed straddles. This one-way conversion typically has a punitive tax effect.

What is a butterfly in options? ›

Now we will look at a commonly traded strategy, referred to as a butterfly. Going long a butterfly, the trader buys a call of a low strike, sells two calls of a middle strike, and buys a call of a high strike. The three strikes are equidistant. The options have the same expiration and the same underlying product.

How are option straddles taxed? ›

Tax Straddles are basically two offsetting positions, one with gain and one with loss that offsets the gain. Essentially, IRS does not want the trader to be able to recognize the loss in one tax year while deferring the gain to a subsequent year.

What is the most consistently profitable option strategy? ›

The most successful options strategy for consistent income generation is the covered call strategy. An investor sells call options against shares of a stock already owned in their portfolio with covered calls. This allows them to collect premium income while holding the underlying investment.

Does Warren Buffett invest in options? ›

Selling (Writing) Options: Buffett's preferred options strategy revolves around writing (selling) options rather than buying them. By selling options, he collects premiums upfront, which can generate income even if the options expire worthless.

What is the Weirdor option strategy? ›

The Weirdor strategy is a high probability options trade that can be done on liquid index and stock options. The trade came about as a variant of the Iron Condor. Recognizing that the market generally will go up 75% of the time, adjustments on the call side are thus more common and costly.

What is the formula for straddle strategy? ›

Implications of Straddle Approximation Formula

νY​=∂σ∂Y​=2000St ​​. In particular, the ATM vega is (pretty) constant as volatility increases. The ATM vega is directly proportional to t \sqrt{t} t ​. In particular, as it gets close to expiry, options have much less vega.

How do you do the straddle position? ›

Instructions. In a seated position spread your feet so that they are more than shoulder width apart. Place your hands on the insides of your knees and gently press them to the sides as you slowly bring your torso forward. Keep your breathing normal and hold this stretch for the inside of your legs and your groins.

How do you straddle a bet? ›

When a player opts to straddle they are putting double the big blind (BB) amount before cards are dealt. It is usually the player to the left of the BB that makes this play. Once it is carried out, all others following players must either call or raise the bet placed.

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