- Joined
- Oct 2, 2017
- Messages
- 8,620
I doubt it is less risky than a diversified portfolio held over decades. Yes, you can tap dance over triple digit percentages, but as soon as you make the wrong call you are in a world of hurt.
I don't think you understand the concept of paring those options and how it de-risks you.
Let's say we both like FB stock and think its going to $160 before, say, June '21. The common is trading at $100. I think its going up. You think its going up. You buy 1000 shares at $100. You now have $100k at risk.
A bit about my strategy... (I most certainly didn't create this btw) it costs you nothing... or close to nothing, or yields an immediate profit, yet gives you free or near free calls that can make you a lot of money. How can it be risky when you are not exposing capital?
I buy $140 calls (10 contracts) for $2.50. That costs me $2,500. I SELL $70 puts (10 contracts) for $2.40. That PAYS me $2,400. What is my net cost right now? $100. If FB goes to say, $180 three months later, you make an $80,000 profit. My $100 investment would be worth approx $50,000. And I only had to "risk" $100.
The worst case scenario in our situation, is that our thesis is wrong, and the underlying stock drops. If it drops to a level between the price it was at when we executed this strategy and the strike price of the put, let's say, $80, you lose $20k and my calls expire worthless and I get to keep what I sold the put for. In other words, I lose $100. Which investment was riskier? If it really tanks to below the $70 put price, then my calls expire worthless, and I am forced to buy the underlying stock at the put price (because remember, I sold someone the right to sell me FB at $70). Which means I just bought 1000 shares of FB at $70. While you bought it at $100. Which investment was riskier?
Keep in mind that I can sell my calls and buy to cover my puts at any time along the way if I choose to and walk. As the common moves up, my calls become worth more, and I can cover the puts I shorted for less than I sold them for.