Long Combination

AKA SYNTHETIC LONG STOCK; COMBO

The setup

Buy a call, strike price A
Sell a put, strike price A
The stock should be at or very near strike A

The strategy

Buying the call gives you the right to buy the stock at strike price A. Selling the put obligates you to buy the stock at strike price A if the option is assigned.

This strategy is often referred to as “synthetic long stock” because the risk / reward profile is nearly identical to long stock. Furthermore, if you remain in this position until expiration, you will probably wind up buying the stock at strike A one way or the other. If the stock is above strike A at expiration, it would make sense to exercise the call and buy the stock. If the stock is below strike A at expiration, you’ll most likely be assigned on the put and be required to buy the stock.

Since you’ll have the same risk / reward profile as long stock at expiration, you might be wondering, “Why would I want to run a combination instead of buying the stock?” The answer is leverage. You can achieve the same end without the up-front cost to buy the stock.

At initiation of the strategy, you will have some additional margin requirements in your account because of the short put, and you can also expect to pay a net debit to establish your position. But those costs will be fairly small relative to the price of the stock.

Most people who run a combination don’t intend to remain in the position until expiration, so they won’t wind up buying the stock. They’re simply doing it for the leverage.

Options guys tips

It’s important to note that the stock price will rarely be precisely at strike price A when you establish this strategy. If the stock price is above strike A, the long call will usually cost more than the short put. So the strategy will be established for a net debit. If the stock price is below strike A, you will usually receive more for the short put than you pay for the long call. So the strategy will be established for a net credit. Remember: The net debit paid or net credit received to establish this strategy will be affected by where the stock price is relative to the strike price.

Dividends and carry costs can also play a large role in this strategy. For instance, if a company that has never paid a dividend before suddenly announces it’s going to start paying one, it will affect call and put prices almost immediately. That’s because the stock price will be expected to drop by the amount of the dividend after the ex-dividend date. As a result, put prices will increase and call prices will decrease independently of stock price movement in anticipation of the dividend. If the cost of puts exceeds the price of calls, then you will be able to establish this strategy for a net credit. The moral of this story is: Dividends will affect whether or not you will be able to establish this strategy for a net credit instead of a net debit. So keep an eye out for them if you’re considering this strategy.

Who should run it

All-Stars only

NOTE: The short put in this strategy creates substantial risk. That is why it is only for the most advanced option traders.

When to run it

You’re bullish.

Break-even at expiration

Strike A plus the net debit paid or minus the net credit received to establish the strategy.

The sweet spot

You want the stock to shoot through the roof.

Maximum potential profit

There is a theoretically unlimited profit potential if the stock price keeps rising.

Maximum potential loss

Potential loss is substantial, but limited to strike price A plus the net debit paid or minus net credit received.

Margin requirement

Margin requirement is the short put requirement.

NOTE: If established for a net credit, the proceeds may be applied to the initial margin requirement.

After this position is established, an ongoing maintenance margin requirement may apply. That means depending on how the underlying performs, an increase (or decrease) in the required margin is possible. Keep in mind this requirement is subject to change and is on a per-unit basis. So don’t forget to multiply by the total number of units when you’re doing the math.

As time goes by

For this strategy, time decay is somewhat neutral. It will erode the value of the option you bought (bad) but it will also erode the value of the option you sold (good).

Implied volatility

After the strategy is established, increasing implied volatility is somewhat neutral. It will increase the value of the option you sold (bad) but it will also increase the value of the option you bought (good).

Buying the put gives you the right to sell the stock at strike price A. Selling the call obligates you to sell the stock at strike price A if the option is assigned. This strategy is often referred to as “synthetic short stock” because the risk / reward profile is nearly identical to short stock.

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Front Spread w/Calls

Buying the call gives you the right to buy stock at strike price A. Selling the two calls gives you the obligation to sell stock at strike price B if the options are assigned. This strategy enables you to purchase a call that is at-the-money or slightly out-of-the-money without paying full price.

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Put ratio vertical spread - Options Playbook

Front Spread w/Puts

Buying the put gives you the right to sell stock at strike price B. Selling the two puts gives you the obligation to buy stock at strike price A if the options are assigned. This strategy enables you to purchase a putth at is at-the-money or slightly out-of-the-money without paying full price.

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Double Diagonal

At the outset of this strategy, you’re simultaneously running a diagonal call spread and a diagonal put spread . Both of those strategies are time-decay plays. You’re taking advantage of the fact that the time value of the front-month options decay at a more accelerated rate than the back-month options...

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Long Combination

AKA SYNTHETIC LONG STOCK; COMBO

The setup

The strategy

Options guys tips

Who should run it

When to run it

Break-even at expiration

The sweet spot

Maximum potential profit

Maximum potential loss

Margin requirement

As time goes by

Implied volatility

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