Options Trading Strategies

From single leg to multi-leg strategies

Single Leg Strategies

Long Call

Bullish

Buy a call option to profit from stock rising.

Breakeven:Strike + Premium
Max Loss:Premium
Max Gain:Unlimited

Long Put

Bearish

Buy a put option to profit from stock falling.

Breakeven:Strike - Premium
Max Loss:Premium
Max Gain:Strike - Premium

Short Call

Bearish/Neutral

Sell a call option to collect premium.

Breakeven:Strike + Premium
Max Loss:Unlimited
Max Gain:Premium

Short Put

Bullish/Neutral

Sell a put option to collect premium.

Breakeven:Strike - Premium
Max Loss:Strike - Premium
Max Gain:Premium

2 Leg Strategies

Bull Call Spread (Call Debit)

Bullish

Buy lower strike call, sell higher strike call. Limited risk bullish play.

Breakeven:Long + Net Debit
Max Loss:Net Debit
Max Gain:Width - Debit

Bear Call Spread (Call Credit)

Bearish

Sell lower strike call, buy higher strike call. Collect premium with protection.

Breakeven:Short + Net Credit
Max Loss:Width - Credit
Max Gain:Net Credit

Bear Put Spread (Put Debit)

Bearish

Buy higher strike put, sell lower strike put. Limited risk bearish play.

Breakeven:Long - Net Debit
Max Loss:Net Debit
Max Gain:Width - Debit

Bull Put Spread (Put Credit)

Bullish

Sell higher strike put, buy lower strike put. Collect premium with protection.

Breakeven:Short - Net Credit
Max Loss:Width - Credit
Max Gain:Net Credit

Long Straddle

Volatility

Buy call AND put at same strike. Profit from large moves either direction.

Breakeven:Strike +/- Total
Max Loss:Total Premium
Max Gain:Unlimited

Long Strangle

Volatility

Buy OTM call AND OTM put. Cheaper than straddle, needs bigger move.

Breakeven:Strikes +/- Total
Max Loss:Total Premium
Max Gain:Unlimited