naked risk

Discussion in 'Options' started by ra1, Mar 10, 2006.

  1. ra1

    ra1

    I'm pondering the following:
    Out of these two stock option strategies, which is the more risky?
    1. naked call
    2. naked put
    Imo they are equally risky since a stock can go up or down. However, definitions-wise the naked call has "unlimited" risk and the naked put "limited" risk and this is touted by brokerage houses to advocate covered call strategies amongst their clients. What do traders think?
    ra1
     
  2. Naked PUT is more risky because stocks tend to sell off faster then they rally. Also in many cases the the implied volatility increases when stock goes down.
    Case in point: GOOG

    BTW, the risk profile for naked PUT is equivalent to that of covered CALL (unlimited downside risk and capped upside profit)
     
  3. Out of the 10000 stocks I have yet to witness a stock that went to infinity. Naked calls might be easier to manage than naked puts. There is always better liquidity from the buy writes as the stock is ripping up. Then of course there are the gaps...
     
  4. Which carries more risk: the $5 call or put?
     
  5. jj90

    jj90

    Which is more risky is kinda like saying I have a loaded 38. and a loaded 357. in my hands. Which is more dangerous if I point it at my head? Obviously one has a bigger bang and will hurt more but I think you get the point.
     

  6. That's a great point. so we can state that as close as a stock price is to 0, naked CALLs become more risky.
     
  7. It illustrates the risks of an asymmetrical/skewed [log]distribution, but the .38 vs. .357 analogy is excellent -- both can kill.
     
  8. ra1

    ra1

    Thanks everyone for your great replies!
    ra1
     
  9. cnms2

    cnms2

    Not if you point them to your toe nail (money management) :)
     
  10. timbo

    timbo

    Money management is equivalent to TA.

    Sad truth.
     
    #10     Mar 11, 2006