There are a number of various option spread strategies that option non directional investors can utilize to generate income from the stock market without having to ‘predict’ market direction.
Some of these different strategies include the calendar spread, the butterfly spread, the diagonal spread, the iron condor , and the vertical Spread, also known as the credit spread.
The vertical spread is actually a very important and core strategy that is found in many if not all option strategies – including the ones just mentioned. As an example of this, look at the iron condor. This strategy is simply just two vertical spreads – one placed above where the stock being used is trading at – and one below.
Also take a look at the butterfly. This strategy is comprised of verticals as well. One in the upper half of the position and one in the lower half. Also the iron butterfly is made up of two credit – or vertical spreads. A put vertical and a call vertical – both sold at a credit.
Vertical spreads can be used with both put and call options. A bearish vertical is called a bear call spread, which is placed using calls above where the underlying vehicle is currently trading at. A bullish play is called a bull put spread, which is a vertical spread using puts placed below where the stock or index being used is trading at.
Following is an illustration of a bear call vertical spread on the imaginary stock XYZ…
Sell 5 RIMM 50 Call Purchase 5 RIMM 50 Call
Again, this vertical spread is a bullish position – where the opinion of the option seller is that ABC will be moving higher over the shorter term, or staying put in it’s general area on the price chart.
Even though the position in the example uses call options, it is a bearish position since it is constructed in such a way to be profitable if the stock being used (RIMM) heads down, or stays in the general area of where it is currently trading at.
If the trader placing this trade is correct in his prediction and ABC does in fact rise or stay where it is trading at, this position will be a winning trade and the premium that was collected when the trade was first put on will remain in the traders account as profit. And don’t forget, that this trade can be combined on both sides of the market to create an iron condor option trade.
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