Duration: 1:40
Level: Intermediate

When neutral on the outlook for a stock, an investor might wish to generate income by selling same strike call and put options hoping that the stock will remain stuck in a defined range. Because implied volatility is a significant determinant of an option’s premium, investors also try to take advantage of diminishing volatility ahead to sell straddles.

Study Notes:

The short straddle seller is hoping for a lack of movement in the price of the underlying shares and is indifferent to direction.  It is a fairly pure bet on decreasing volatility, and benefits from decay.  A short straddle is created when an investor sells an equal number of calls and puts with the same strike and expiration.  It may be used when investors expect a decrease in either implied volatility or in the movement of the price of the underlying equity. Profit is limited to the initial premium received, while loss is potentially unlimited.  The direction of the stock does not matter to the straddle buyer as long as the movement up or down from the strike stays within the price received for the straddle.  The maximum gain is the cost of the trade and occurs if the stock closes at the strike price. Time decay helps a straddle seller.  The combination has two breakeven points equal to the strike price plus the cost of the trade and the strike price minus the cost of the trade.  The straddle seller loses money if the underlying price exceeds a range around the strike price beyond the total premium received.

Short Straddle example –

  • Underlying XYZ stock price: $50.00
  • Call strike price: 50.00
  • Call option premium: $5.00
  • Put strike price: 50.00
  • Put option premium :$5.00
  • Days to expiration: 90
  • Upside Breakeven: $50.00+$5.00+$5.00 = $60.00 (Strike price plus premium received for call plus premium received for put option)
  • Downside Breakeven: $50.00-$5.00-$5.00 = $40.00 (Strike price minus premium received for call minus premium received for put option)
  • Profit potential: Limited to the combined premiums from both call and put or $10.00 and occurs at the $50.00 strike price. At that strike price, neither option has any extrinsic value nor any intrinsic value at expiration. Above the central strike price, while the put option has zero value, the call option does and begins to erode the profitability of the trade. Below the central strike price, the call has zero extrinsic value, while the put has an increasing amount as the share price declines, thus also eroding the profitability of the trade.
  • Potential profit:@$55.00 – The put option is out-the-money and has zero value. But the call option has $5.00 value and this must be subtracted from the net premium received ($10.00 – $5.00 = $5.00).
  • @$60.00 – The in-the-money call option now has $10 intrinsic value is completely offsets the profitability of the trade ($10.00 – $10.00 = zero).
  • @$38.00 – At all values below the central strike price the put option has intrinsic value, and in this case is worth $12.00 ($50.00 – $38.00 = $12.00). And so the net loss from the trade is the amount of net premium minus the distance between the central strike price and the value of the shares ($10.00 – $12.00 = $2.00).
  • Maximum loss: Loss potential is unlimited to the upside, since the intrinsic call value keeps up with the rising share price penny-for-penny. Losses to the downside can be significant as the intrinsic nature of the put option matches the downside performance of the stock penny-for-penny, limited only by a zero value for the underlying share price.

Market Outlook – Neutral

Volatility View – Decreases premium

Time Erosion – Reduces premium

Dividends – Neutral

Interest Rate – Neutral

Profit Potential – Limited

Loss Potential – Substantial from short put/ unlimited from short call

Components – Sell same strike call and put option with same expiration

Underlying Stock  $   50.00 Underlying Stock Call P&L Put P&L Total P&L
Call Strike  $   50.00  $                 10.00  $               500  $        (3,500)  $      (3,000)
Premium  $     5.00  $                 15.00  $               500  $        (3,000)  $      (2,500)
Put Strikes  $   50.00  $                 20.00  $               500  $        (2,500)  $      (2,000)
Premium  $     5.00  $                 25.00  $               500  $        (2,000)  $      (1,500)
Net Premium  $   10.00  $                 30.00  $               500  $        (1,500)  $      (1,000)
 $                 35.00  $               500  $        (1,000)  $         (500)
 $                 40.00  $               500  $           (500)  $              –
 $                 45.00  $               500  $                –  $           500
 $                 50.00  $               500  $             500  $        1,000
 $                 55.00  $                   –  $             500  $           500
 $                 60.00  $              (500)  $             500  $              –
 $                 65.00  $          (1,000)  $             500  $         (500)
 $                 70.00  $          (1,500)  $             500  $      (1,000)
 $                 75.00  $          (2,000)  $             500  $      (1,500)
 $                 80.00  $          (2,500)  $             500  $      (2,000)
 $                 85.00  $          (3,000)  $             500  $      (2,500)

2 thoughts on “Neutral Market – Short Straddle”

  1. @$35.00 – At all values below the central strike price the put option has intrinsic value, and in this case is worth $12.00 ($50.00 – $38.00 = $12.00). And so the net loss from the trade is the amount of net premium minus the distance between the central strike price and the value of the shares ($10.00 – $12.00 = $2.00).

    Shouldn’t the strike price be $38 instead of $35?

    1. Hello, thank you for reaching out. This change should now be reflected in the study notes. We appreciate your feedback!

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The analysis in this material is provided for information only and is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. To the extent that this material discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends or other broad-based economic or political conditions, it should not be construed as research or investment advice. To the extent that it includes references to specific securities, commodities, currencies, or other instruments, those references do not constitute a recommendation by IBKR to buy, sell or hold such investments. This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Before acting on this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, as necessary, seek professional advice.

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Disclosure: Options Trading

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Multiple leg strategies, including spreads, will incur multiple commission charges. For more information read the “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options” also known as the options disclosure document (ODD) or visit ibkr.com/occ

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Multiple leg strategies, including spreads and straddles, will incur multiple commission charges.

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