When to sell a put spread versus long a call spread?

Discussion in 'Options' started by tommo, Feb 13, 2021.

  1. ajacobson

    ajacobson

    If you compare the parity trade they are virtually identical - otherwise, there would be a profitable box. Differences can be minor and the American box would be riskless if there is no dividend. Draw the payoff of both strategies and you'll see. The 100/90 bull put is identical to the 90/100 bull call otherwise there would a material arb. opportunity.
     
    #11     Feb 13, 2021
    ironchef likes this.
  2. ajacobson

    ajacobson

    Riskless for a no dividend American box is a bit too brief - my bad. Dividend or not there is no rule against noneconomic early exercise. Depending on what got exercised early there would still be the overnight risk and depending on which side got hit - that could create a problem or be a favorable event.
     
    #12     Feb 14, 2021
  3. tommo

    tommo

    Thats just an iron condor isn’t it? Why would I sell the call spread if I was bullish?
     
    #13     Feb 14, 2021
  4. ironchef

    ironchef

    I am not arguing for or against @Saltynuts' trade. I just like to see someone giving suggestion that I personally have not thought of. Make me think harder on the problem you presented.

    And it works under certain situation.
     
    #14     Feb 14, 2021
  5. ironchef

    ironchef

    Perhaps the same reason we approach selling covered call different than writing naked put and my broker only approved me to trade covered calls and nothing else at the beginning?

    Is parity for debit bull call spread and credit bull put spread at the same strike or equal OTM strikes or both?

    Thanks.
     
    #15     Feb 14, 2021
  6. Matt_ORATS

    Matt_ORATS Sponsor

    Hi Iron
    Hopefully, I can help with a test of your untested opinion of call vs call spread. I have above tested a call spread where we saw a slightly positive 0.21% annualized return. The long call with default values of 30 days to ex and 30 deltas is below. The backtest shows an annualized loss of -0.11% with a win rate of 34%. The call spread had a 38% win rate. The best p&l was higher for the call at $1451 vs $525. The call drawdown is worse 31% vs 17% as is the volatility 5% vs 3%.

    [​IMG]
    https://gyazo.com/b28d7aa3cfda70beef9fca6758f210c0
     
    #16     Feb 14, 2021
    Atikon and ironchef like this.
  7. ironchef

    ironchef

    Thank you sir for doing the hard work for me.
     
    #17     Feb 14, 2021
    Matt_ORATS likes this.