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Improving probabilities and confidence with bull call spreads
A bull call spread is a multi-leg options strategy designed to help investors capitalize on anticipated stock price increases, and benefit from heightened volatility. The video above, which contrasts the trading styles of Jane and John, reveals the many advantages of the multi-leg strategy over the single-leg long call. This article highlights these advantages, providing insights on how to place and manage the bull call spread.
A tale of two traders
Consider a hypothetical trading scenario to evaluate the approaches of Jane and John. Both traders share the belief that ABT stock is poised for an upswing from its current $108 price, pinpointing a resistance target around $115. Jane opts for her reliable long call strategy, whereas John employs the bull call spread. Let’s assess the two strategies to determine their effectiveness.
Let’s assess the two strategies to determine their effectiveness.
Jane’s order – Long Call
John’s order – Bull Call Spread
Trade comparison
| Jane’s trade | John’s trade | |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy used | Long call | Bull call spread |
| Debit (premium paid) | 6.60 | 4.96 |
| Maximum loss | $660 | $496 |
| Breakeven price | $111.60 | $109.96 |
| Maximum profit | Unlimited | $504 |
| Realistic profit at target | $340 | $504 |
Traders are drawn to the long call strategy due to its potential for unlimited profit. However, John’s bull call spread presents several advantages:
Lower maximum loss
Lower breakeven price
Higher potential profit at the target
Higher rate of return on the investment
| Quick reference guide: Bull call spread | |
|---|---|
| Market outlook | Bullish |
| Position net debit or credit | Debit (premium paid) |
| Number of legs | Two – one long call, and one short call |
| Maximum profit | High strike minus the low strike minus the net premium paid |
| Profits from | Underlying price moving up to or above the high strike price |
| Maximum loss | Premium paid if both options expire worthless |
| Breakeven | Lower strike plus the premium paid |
| Risk from | Underlying price dropping to or below the strike of the long call or assignment on the short call before expiration |
| Options level required | Level 3 – Click here for additional information |
What is a bull call spread?
A bull call spread is a trading strategy that involves two actions:
Buy a call option
This leg drives the position’s profit. The long call’s value can rise with an underlying price increase or with heightened volatility. The trade profits when the call is sold at a higher price than its initial purchase. While a closer strike to the underlying price entails a higher premium, it also increases the likelihood of the option finishing in the money.
Sell a higher strike call option
Bull call spread risk/reward profile
Bull Call Spread
Reward
High strike minus lower strike minus premium paid times 100.
Breakeven
Lower strike plus the premium paid.
Risk
Debit paid to open the position.
Situations suited for a bull call spread
Consider a bull call spread when you are positive about a particular stock but want to mitigate potential losses, especially if you anticipate the stock not to rise above the upper strike price.
Here are some situations where a bull call spread may be used:
Moderate bullishness
When you believe the stock’s price can increase up to or near a resistance level.
Lower cost
To profit from a bullish move at a lower cost than if you bought a call or the stock alone.
Limited risk
To limit your potential losses by selling a call and lowering the cost of buying another.
Strike selection
The long call strike should be at or near a support level. The premium paid to buy the option is usually lowest when the price is in or near the support. The short strike should be at or above a resistance level where you do not think the price may reach or exceed before the position is exited.
How to place a bull call spread trade
Select a stock
Identify a stock expected to increase in price or remain steady.
Choose strike prices and expiration
Considerations
- The strike of the call that is bought determines the position’s risk because the premium paid is the potential loss. The premium collected from the short call will be subtracted from the premium of the long call. The maximum loss is the difference between the strikes minus the premium collected.
- The strike of the sold call should be as low as possible to collect a premium, but far enough from the long strike to allow for profit. The maximum profit is the difference between the strikes minus the premium paid.
- Because this is a debit spread, time decay works against the position. To avoid exponential time decay, expirations that are greater than sixty days out should be chosen, and the position should be closed approximately thirty days before expiration. Time decay increases exponentially within the last thirty days before options expiration
- Choosing shorter expirations or using deeper out-of-the-money call options may cause losses or smaller profits due to greater time decay or a lower delta. The lower delta means the premium will not respond as much to changes in the underlying price. A bull call spread lowers the cost of an at-the-money call and provides a better delta.
Exiting the bull call spread
Test before you trade
Access the TradeStation platform in Simulated Trading mode to acquaint yourself with strategy analysis and order entry. Utilize this environment to practice placing bull call spreads without exposing real money, allowing you to gain confidence in executing the strategy.
Conclusion
The bull call spread is a valuable strategy for investors seeking to profit from expected stock increases while managing risk. This involves buying a call option and selling a higher strike call. The strategy aims to benefit from increased volatility and underlying price movements. It offers limited rewards and potential losses, necessitating careful strike selection and vigilant trade monitoring. Traders typically close the spread before option expiration to mitigate maximum time decay.
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