Construct butterfly spread using put options payoff table
A long put butterfly spread is a combination of a short put spread and a long put spread , with the spreads converging at strike B. Ideally, you want the puts with strikes A and B to expire worthless, while capturing the intrinsic value of the in-the-money put with strike C. So the risk vs. However, the odds of hitting the sweet spot are fairly low.
What is a Butterfly Spread?Constructing your butterfly spread with strike B slightly in-the-money or slightly out-of-the-money may make it a bit less expensive to run. This will put a directional bias on the trade. If strike B is higher than the stock price, this would be considered a bullish trade.
If strike B is below the stock price, it would be a bearish trade. Some investors may wish to run this strategy using index options rather than options on individual stocks.
Long Put Butterfly Spread | Butterfly Spreads - The Options Playbook
Strike prices are equidistant, and all options have the same expiration month. Typically, investors will use butterfly spreads when anticipating minimal movement on the stock within a specific time frame.
Long Butterfly Spread with Puts - Fidelity
For this strategy, time decay is your friend. Ideally, you want all options except the put with strike C to expire worthless with the stock precisely at strike B.
After the strategy is established, the effect of implied volatility depends on where the stock is relative to your strike prices. If your forecast was correct and the stock price is at or around strike B, you want volatility to decrease. Your main concern is the two options you sold at strike B. A decrease in implied volatility will cause those near-the-money options to decrease in value, thereby increasing the overall value of the butterfly.
In addition, you want the stock price to remain stable around strike B, and a decrease in implied volatility suggests that may be the case. If your forecast was incorrect and the stock price is approaching or outside of strike A or C, in general you want volatility to increase, especially as expiration approaches. An increase in volatility will increase the value of the option you own at the near-the-money strike, while having less effect on the short options at strike B, thereby increasing the overall value of the butterfly.
Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. For more information, please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options brochure before you begin trading options. Options investors may lose the entire amount of their investment in a relatively short period of time. Multiple leg options strategies involve additional risks , and may result in complex tax treatments.
Please consult a tax professional prior to implementing these strategies. Implied volatility represents the consensus of the marketplace as to the future level of stock price volatility or the probability of reaching a specific price point. The Greeks represent the consensus of the marketplace as to how the option will react to changes in certain variables associated with the pricing of an option contract.
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The Strategy A long put butterfly spread is a combination of a short put spread and a long put spread , with the spreads converging at strike B.
Options Guy's Tip Some investors may wish to run this strategy using index options rather than options on individual stocks. The Setup Buy a put, strike price A Sell two puts, strike price B Buy a put, strike price C Generally, the stock will be at strike B NOTE: Who Should Run It Seasoned Veterans and higher NOTE: When to Run It Typically, investors will use butterfly spreads when anticipating minimal movement on the stock within a specific time frame.
Break-even at Expiration There are two break-even points for this play: Strike A plus the net debit paid. Strike C minus the net debit paid.
The Sweet Spot You want the stock price to be exactly at strike B at expiration. Maximum Potential Profit Potential profit is limited to strike C minus strike B minus the net debit paid. Maximum Potential Loss Risk is limited to the net debit paid. TradeKing Margin Requirement After the trade is paid for, no additional margin is required.
As Time Goes By For this strategy, time decay is your friend. Implied Volatility After the strategy is established, the effect of implied volatility depends on where the stock is relative to your strike prices. Today's Trader Network All-Star Trade Report. TradeKing All-Star Webinar Series and Live Events.
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