Does it make more sense to sell puts instead or buy shares?

Discussion in 'Trading' started by wxytrader, Sep 4, 2024.

  1. It makes more sense because you are getting a bonus of extrinsic value. If you have a profit target then you are better off selling a put at that target.

    Example:

    Expected MARA target price by SEP6: 16.50
    buy 100 shares @ 15.00
    or
    sell 1 put at 16.50 @ 1.61

    Scenarios:

    If price drops to 14.00
    Long shares pnl: -1
    Short put pnl: 1.61-2.50 = -.89

    If price rises to 16.00
    Long shares pnl: 1
    Short put pnl: 1.61-.50= 1.11

    If price rises to 16.50
    Long shares pnl: 1.50
    Short put pnl: 1.61

    If price rises to 18
    Long shares pnl: 3
    Short put pnl: 1.61


    But does this hold true when you add in fees? Also, how does this order preview make sense?

    upload_2024-9-4_7-34-45.png
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2024
  2. BKR88

    BKR88

    Better to own shares if you have a target.
    Own shares ..... price spikes to target .... profit taken.
    Short put ..... price spikes to target ..... extrinsic value remains in option so only achieve full profit if held to expiration. Price could drop back down & NO profit.

    Not worth selling a put vs. owning the stock with only .11 of extrinsic value.
    Max loss is nearly the same and profit is not much better.
    You need to hold to expiration to achieve full profit.

    Max extrinsic value is selling ATM options.

    EDIT:
    $1.45 each to sell puts?? TDA/Schwab charges .65
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2024
    wxytrader likes this.
  3. Good points, however if price doesn't move much, then the put contract (according to my sheet) will be worth only 1.34 on SEP6...whereas the shares will have earned nothing. Price would have to drop below 14.89 @ expiry to give all the premium back.

    1.61-1.34=.27 pnl
     
  4. BKR88

    BKR88

    If you buy shares @ 15 OR sell 16.50 put @ 1.61 the put will be worth 1.50 at expiration if price is still @ 15 so only .11 profit.
    1.61-1.50=.11

    ITM put at expiration will always be worth strike price minus current stock price.
     
  5. poopy

    poopy

    Dude, just stop. Every time crypto rallies you've won the Nobel. When it drops you're homeless and living in that peasant model lambo from the last century.
     
    wxytrader likes this.
  6. lindq

    lindq

    But the markets will often not conform to your nice little sheet. And when you're short puts, you can easily give up a year's premium earnings in a day. The past 30 years have included a number of events that have wiped out funds and traders who were playing that game.
     
  7. I must have looked at the wrong price in my sheet or my sheet is glitching...yes that makes sense because only the extrinsic value can bleed off...so the only benefit is the .11..not nothing but is it worth giving away upside potential.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2024
    BKR88 likes this.
  8. It's only a loss if you sell. :)

    Also how would owning shares/stops protect you from a gap down pre-market?
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2024
  9. 1.33 *1000 = 1330 but the order has 1495
     
  10. lindq

    lindq

    And it can often be a loss that remains a loss. When you write a put, you're making the assumption that shit isn't going to hit the fan for that particular instrument. But when it does...and it can happen for a number of reasons...you can get stuck holding a pile of crap for a long time, and trying to work yourself out of an instrument that will never recover.

    I'm sharing with you from long experience. Do with it what you want.
     
    #10     Sep 4, 2024