Selling a call option and buying a put option are two different option strategies with distinct risk and reward profiles, suitable for different market views and investment strategies. Here is a detailed explanation with examples.
Selling a Call Option
Definition
Selling a call option means you write a call option contract, giving the buyer the right to purchase the underlying asset at a specific price by a specific date. In return, you receive a premium. If the option is not exercised by expiration, you keep the premium as profit.
Example
Suppose you believe that Tencent’s stock price will not rise significantly in the next month. Currently, Tencent’s stock price is $100.
Current Tencent Stock Price: $100
Call Option Strike Price: $105
Call Option Expiry Date: 1 month later
Call Option Premium: $2 per share
Contract Size: 100 shares
You sell a call option contract and receive a premium of $200 ($2 per share × 100 shares).
Expiration Scenarios
Stock Price ≤ $105:
The option holder will not exercise the option.
You keep the $200 premium as pure profit.
Stock Price > $105:
The option holder will exercise the option.
You must sell 100 shares of Tencent at $105.
If the stock price is $110, you buy 100 shares at $110 and sell them at $105, incurring a loss of $500 [($110 - $105) × 100 shares]. After subtracting the $200 premium, your net loss is $300.
Suitable Scenarios
Bearish or Neutral Market View: Expecting the stock price to not rise significantly.
Generate Additional Income: Increase cash flow through premiums.
Hedging Strategy: If you hold the stock, selling calls can offset some of the downside risk.
Buying a Put Option
Definition
Buying a put option means you purchase a put option contract, giving you the right to sell the underlying asset at a specific price by a specific date. If the option is exercised, you can profit from the decline in the stock price.
Example
Suppose you believe that Tencent’s stock price will decline in the next month. Currently, Tencent’s stock price is $100.
Current Tencent Stock Price: $100
Put Option Strike Price: $95
Put Option Expiry Date: 1 month later
Put Option Premium: $2 per share
Contract Size: 100 shares
You buy a put option contract and pay a premium of $200 ($2 per share × 100 shares).
Expiration Scenarios
Stock Price < $95:
You exercise the option to sell 100 shares at $95.
If the stock price is $90, you sell at $95, making a profit of $500 [($95 - $90) × 100 shares]. After subtracting the $200 premium, your net profit is $300.
Stock Price ≥ $95:
The option expires worthless.
You lose the $200 premium.
Suitable Scenarios
Bearish Market View: Expecting the stock price to decline.
Risk Management: Hedging against a decline in an existing stock position.
Speculation: Gaining potential high returns with a lower initial investment.
Summary
Selling a Call Option: Suitable for bearish or neutral market views, generating income through premiums but carrying the risk of significant loss if the stock price rises.
Buying a Put Option: Suitable for bearish market views, profiting from stock price declines or hedging existing positions, with the maximum loss limited to the premium paid.
These strategies are chosen based on the investor’s market outlook and risk tolerance.
Example: Selling Covered Call Options to Hedge Downside Risk
If you hold a stock, you can sell call options (covered calls) to hedge part of the downside risk. This strategy allows you to earn additional income through the option premium, which can offset some of the losses if the stock price falls.
Example Explanation
Suppose you hold shares of Tencent and believe that the stock price will not fluctuate significantly in the next month. Currently, Tencent’s stock price is $100. You decide to sell call options to generate extra income and hedge against potential downside risk.
Basic Situation:
Current Tencent Stock Price: $100
Number of Shares Held: 100 shares
Call Option Strike Price: $105
Call Option Expiry Date: 1 month later
Call Option Premium: $2 per share
Option Contract Size: 100 shares
Operational Steps
Holding the Stock: You already own 100 shares of Tencent, with a current market price of $100 per share.
Selling the Call Option: You sell a call option contract with a strike price of $105 and an expiry date of 1 month later. You receive a premium of $2 per share, totaling $2 × 100 shares = $200.
Two Scenarios at Expiry
Stock Price is Below or Equal to $105:
The option holder will not exercise the option because the strike price is higher than or equal to the market price.
You keep the $200 premium as pure profit.
Even if the stock price falls, you still gain $200, partially offsetting the loss from the stock price decline.
For example, if the stock price falls to $95:
Stock value: $95/share × 100 shares = $9500
Option premium income: $200
Total value: $9500 + $200 = $9700
Compared to the initial value of $10000, the total loss is $300 instead of $500.
Stock Price is Above $105:
The option holder will exercise the option.
You must sell the 100 shares at the strike price of $105.
You receive $105/share × 100 shares = $10500, plus the option premium of $200, making the total income $10700.
For example, if the stock price rises to $110:
You sell the stock at $105, losing (110 - 105) × 100 shares = $500.
Option premium income: $200.
Total net profit is $10500 (selling the stock) + $200 (option premium) = $10700. Compared to the initial value of $10000, you still have a profit of $700.
Summary
By holding the stock and selling a call option:
Increased Income: You earn the option premium, increasing cash flow.
Hedged Downside Risk: Even if the stock price falls, the additional income from the option premium partially offsets the loss from the stock price decline.
Limited Upside Profit: If the stock price rises significantly, your profit is capped because you have to sell the stock at the strike price, but you still keep the option premium as extra income.
This strategy is particularly useful in a market with little volatility or slight declines, as it provides additional income to help hedge against some of the risk.
Selling put options is a strategy that investors use when they believe that the price of a stock will not fall significantly or will remain stable. The main purposes of selling put options are:
Collecting Premiums: By selling put options, investors can collect the option premiums, thereby increasing their cash flow.
Reducing Purchase Costs: If an investor plans to buy a stock at a lower price in the future, selling put options can reduce the actual purchase cost.
Enhancing Returns: When expecting the stock price to remain stable or not fall significantly, selling put options can enhance the overall returns of the investment portfolio.
Facilitating Stock Acquisition: If an investor wants to buy stocks at a lower price, selling put options can help achieve this goal while earning the option premiums.
Example Explanation
Suppose you believe that Tencent’s stock price will not fall significantly in the next month, and the current price of Tencent stock is $100. You can sell put options to earn the option premiums.
Basic Scenario
Current Tencent Stock Price: $100
Put Option Strike Price: $95
Put Option Expiration Date: 1 month later
Put Option Premium: $2 per share
Contract Size: 100 shares
Steps to Execute
Sell Put Options: You sell a put option contract, earning a premium of $2 per share, totaling $2 × 100 shares = $200.
Two Possible Scenarios at Expiration
Stock Price Above or Equal to $95:
The option holder will not exercise the option because the strike price is lower than or equal to the market price.
You keep the premium of $200 as pure profit.
Stock Price Below $95:
The option holder will exercise the option, selling the stock to you at the strike price of $95.
If the stock price is $90, you must buy the stock at $95. Although the market price is $90, you have received the premium of $200, partially offsetting the loss.
Profit Calculation
Total Initial Income: Option premium $200
Scenario 1: Stock Price Above or Equal to $95
You keep the premium of $200 as pure profit.
Scenario 2: Stock Price Below $95
If the stock price is $90:
You buy the stock at $95, total cost $95 × 100 shares = $9500
Market value at $90, total value $90 × 100 shares = $9000
But you received the option premium of $200, total loss $9500 - $9000 - $200 = $300
Conclusion
The main purpose of selling put options is to increase income through premiums, reduce the cost of acquiring stocks, and enhance investment returns. Selling put options is effective when the stock price is expected to be stable or slightly increase. If the stock price falls, the investor must fulfill the obligation to buy the stock, but the option premiums can partially offset the loss. This strategy is particularly suitable in relatively stable or slightly bullish market conditions.