Dividends on Shorted ITM Calls

Discussion in 'Options' started by Arnie Guitar, May 3, 2025 at 12:26 PM.

  1. demoncore

    demoncore

    FWIW, my div arb is automated and I'm filling the short synthetics as 12 bps in net-edge. I've got $35K in carry against $78K received out to June exp. $7MM in share notional done manually.
     
  2. What does all of that technicality mean in simple % returns for you on that trade?

    I'm kind of dumb with more advanced technical strategies and numbers. I just understand basic % returns
     
  3. demoncore

    demoncore


    You pay margin rates on the long shares.

    Margin rates <5% above $1MM in port-margin account.

    Calc rates to ex-div or expiration (more detail needed).

    Fill long -> short synthetic = conversion arbitrage.

    Synthetic short debit fill > shares - div + rates = dividend capture.
     
    Real Money likes this.
  4. demoncore

    demoncore

    TIMS/VV/PM margin req is trivial. $7MM in conversions (notional shares) runs about $7-8K in initial and maint at IBKR. Your return is massively-dependent on your initial edge.

    Return on net (received - carry) is like 4-500%. The only costs are comms and the stock loan. Return on initial margin. There is some var to margin as you get close to exp.
     
  5. You still didn't answer the basic question of what % return did you make on that trade. Just more technicality
     
  6. demoncore

    demoncore


    I did, but I did so in the next post. You are asking the wrong question out of ignorance. Take a Valium, macbookproho.
     
    cesfx likes this.
  7. demoncore

    demoncore

    I'm not suggesting you're going to make 4-500% return on net liq. The only risk once executed is a change in rates or dividend. The conversion is an arb in which you're charged 1-2 bps in margin.

    I generally stop doing it manually once I'm paying 1%/month to carry them. It's time consuming and is essentially a MMer function.
     
  8. demoncore

    demoncore


    IBKR is charging $12K initial to carry $7.1MM notional via conversions.
     
  9. newwurldmn

    newwurldmn

    welcome new poster. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs esterhouse.
     
    spy, cesfx and demoncore like this.
  10. demoncore

    demoncore

    You're not going to sneak a caddyshack reference past me. gunga lagunga.
     
    taowave and newwurldmn like this.