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Chapter 9: Short Straddle
Abhinav’s manager, Simran, tells him that her market outlook for stock ABC Ltd is rangebound in the near term. Accordingly, she asks Abhinav to suggest an Options strategy for ABC Ltd. Abhinav, after careful consideration, suggests the Short Straddle strategy. Let’s take a look at the details of this strategy.
Short Straddle
In a Short Straddle, the trader sells a Call and a Put on the same underlying for the same expiry and strike price. The Options sold are normally ATM Options. The risk in the Short Straddle is unlimited. However, returns are capped to the extent of premium received.
Strategy: Short ATM Call Option (Leg 1) + Short ATM Put Option (Leg 2)
When to use: When you believe that the price of the underlying will not exhibit significant volatility in the near term, and will remain in a particular range
Breakeven: There are two breakeven points:
1. Upper breakeven point: Strike price of short Call Option + Total premium received
2. Lower breakeven point: Strike price of a short Put Option – Total premium received
However, the strike price of the Call and Put Options is the same in this strategy.
Maximum profit: Limited to the premium received
Maximum risk: Unlimited
Let’s understand this strategy with an example:
Abhinav sells ABC Ltd. ATM Call and Put Options at a strike price of Rs. 1,000, with premiums of Rs. 100 and Rs. 80 respectively. Abhinav receives a total premium of Rs. 100 + Rs. 80 = Rs. 180, and this will be the maximum profit. He will lose money if the stock moves more than 180 points in any direction i.e., above Rs. 1,180 or below Rs. 820.
Let’s look at the cash flow in various scenarios:
Closing price of ABC Ltd. on expiry (Rs.) |
Payoff from ATM Call Option (A) (Rs.) |
Payoff from ATM Put Option (B) (Rs.) |
Net payoff (A+B) (Rs.) |
700 |
100 |
– 220 |
– 120 |
800 |
100 |
– 120 |
– 20 |
820 |
100 |
– 100 |
0 |
900 |
100 |
– 20 |
80 |
1000 |
100 |
80 |
180 |
1100 |
0 |
80 |
80 |
1180 |
–80 |
80 |
0 |
1200 |
–100 |
80 |
– 20 |
1300 |
–200 |
80 |
– 120 |
Let us understand the payoff in various scenarios. It will give you a fair idea of how we have arrived at the above values.
If the stock closes at Rs. 800 on expiry: Leg 1 expires OTM while leg 2 expires ITM
Leg 1: Premium received on the ATM Call Option of strike price Rs. 1000 = Rs. 100
Premium paid on ATM Call Option of strike price Rs. 1000 at expiry = Max {0, (Spot price – Strike price)} = Max {0, (800 – 1000)} = Max (0, – 200) = 0
So, the payoff from the ITM Call Option = Premium received – Premium paid = 100 – 0 = Rs. 100
Leg 2: Premium received on the ATM Put Option of strike price Rs.1000 = Rs. 80
Premium paid on ATM Put Option of strike price Rs. 1000 at expiry = Max {0, (Strike price – Spot price)} = Max {0, (1000 – 800)} = Max (0, 200) = Rs. 200
So, the Payoff from the ATM Put Option = Premium received – Premium paid = 80 – 200 = – Rs. 120
Net payoff = Payoff from ATM Call Option + Payoff from ATM Put Option = 100 + (– 120) = – Rs. 20
If the stock closes at Rs. 1000 on expiry: Both the legs expire ATM
Leg 1: Premium received on the ATM Call Option of strike price Rs. 1000 = Rs. 100
Premium paid on ATM Call Option of strike price Rs. 1000 at expiry = Max {0, (Spot price – Strike price)} = Max {0, (1000 – 1000)} = Max (0, 0) = 0
So, the payoff from the ITM Call Option = Premium received – Premium paid = 100 – 0 = Rs. 100
Leg 2: Premium received on the ATM Put Option of strike price Rs.1000 = Rs. 80
Premium paid on the ATM Put Option of strike price Rs. 1000 at expiry = Max {0, (Strike price – Spot price)} = Max {0, (1000 – 1000)} = Max (0, 0) = 0
So, the Payoff from the ATM Put Option = Premium received – Premium paid = 80 – 0 = Rs. 80
Net payoff = Payoff from ATM Call Option + Payoff from ATM Put Option = 100 + 80 = Rs. 180
If the stock closes at Rs. 1200 on expiry: Leg 1 expires ITM while leg 2 expires OTM
Leg 1: Premium received on the ATM Call Option of strike price Rs. 1000 = Rs. 100
Premium paid on ATM Call Option of strike price Rs. 1000 at expiry = Max {0, (Spot price – Strike price)} = Max {0, (1200 – 1000)} = Max (0, 200) = Rs. 200
So, the payoff from the ITM Call Option = Premium received – Premium paid = 100 – 200 = – Rs. 100
Leg 2: Premium received on the ATM Put Option of strike price Rs.1000 = Rs. 80
Premium paid on ATM Put Option of strike price Rs. 1000 at expiry = Max {0, (Strike price – Spot price)} = Max {0, (1000 – 1200)} = Max (0, – 200) = 0
So, the payoff from the ATM Put Option = Premium received – Premium paid = 80 – 0 = Rs. 80
Net payoff = Payoff from ATM Call Option + Payoff from ATM Put Option = (– 100) + 80 = – Rs. 20
Additional Read: ATM Straddle writing suggesting consolidation in expiry week
Summary
- In a Short Straddle, the trader sells a Call together with a Put on the same underlying for the same expiry and strike price. The Options sold are normally ATM Options.
- The strategy is used when the trader believes that the price of the underlying will not exhibit significant volatility in the near term, and will remain in a particular range.
- Breakeven: There are two breakeven points:
- Upper breakeven point: Strike price of short Call Option + Total premium received
- Lower breakeven point: Strike price of a short Put Option – Total premium received
- Maximum profit: Limited to the premium received
- Maximum risk: Unlimited
In the next chapter, we will look at one more neutral-view Options strategy: A Short Strangle.
Disclaimer: ICICI Securities Ltd. ( I-Sec). Registered office of I-Sec is at ICICI Securities Ltd. - ICICI Venture House, Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400 025, India, Tel No : 022 - 2288 2460, 022 - 2288 2470. The contents herein above shall not be considered as an invitation or persuasion to trade or invest. I-Sec and affiliates accept no liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any actions taken in reliance thereon. The contents herein above are solely for informational purpose and may not be used or considered as an offer document or solicitation of offer to buy or sell or subscribe for securities or other financial instruments or any other product. Investments in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. The contents herein mentioned are solely for informational and educational purpose.
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