A bear call spread is a moderately bearish options strategy: sell a call at a lower strike and buy a call at a higher strike on the same stock and expiration, collecting a net credit. The maximum profit is the net credit (kept if the stock finishes at or below the lower strike), the maximum loss is the difference between the strikes minus the credit, and the breakeven is the lower strike plus the credit. For example, selling a $113 call for $4 and buying a $123 call for $2 on a $118 stock collects $200 per spread, risks $800, and breaks even at $115. This article is educational, not trading advice.
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Features of Bear call spread options strategy
One long call and One short call
A Bear call spread options strategy consists of one OTM call and one ITM call option. The options trader goes long on the OTM option with a higher strike price and goes short on the ITM options with a lower strike price.
For example, currently, a stock is trading at $10. If the options trader uses a bear call spread options strategy, the trader will buy one call option at $13 and sell one call option at $7.
Limited risk and limited profit strategy
The options trader will pay a premium for buying the OTM call option and receive a premium for selling the ITM call option. Because the premium received for the lower-strike call is higher, the trade opens for a net credit, which is the most it can earn.
In case of a rise in market price, the trader’s loss is capped to the difference between the two strike prices minus the call options’ net premium.
Similarly, in case of a fall in market price, the trader keeps the net premium received, which is also the maximum profit.
Let us understand this strategy better with the help of a detailed example.
The current share price of Apple is trading at**$118**. 1 Lot size is equivalent to 100 shares. To use the bear call spread options strategy, the options trader will:
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Buy 1 OTM Call Option at $123 (Premium = $2)
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Sell 1 ITM Call Option at $113 (Premium = $4)
** Note:** The premium taken above is on a hypothetical basis.
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Premium Paid = $2* 100 = $200
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Premium Received = $4*100 = 400
Net Premium Received = $400 – $200 = $200
Now, let us consider three different scenarios to better understand the risk-reward ratio in this strategy: –
Scenario 1: Stock price remains unchanged at $118 (above short call)
The OTM buy call option of $123 will not be exercised by the options trader as he will get a better price in the spot market. The buyer of call option would exercise his rights, as he can buy the share at a cheaper rate than the market.
Scenario 2: Stock price goes down to $ 111 (below short call)
Both the options would expire worthless as the traders would get better prices from the open market.
Scenario 3: Stock price increases to $ 125 (above the long call)
As the strike price is lower than the current market price, both parties would exercise their options.
Maximum Profit/Loss in all the scenarios is as given below:
| Scenario | Spot Price on Expiry | Maximum Profit/Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $118 | $200 – $500 = – $300 |
| 2 | $111 | $200 |
| 3 | $ 125 | $200 + $200 – $1200 = – $800 |
Note: This is a hypothetical example. The maximum profit/loss may vary depending on the premium involved.
Maximum Profit, Loss, and Breakeven in Bear call spread options strategy
The net premium received by the investor is his maximum profit under this strategy. The investor would earn a profit when the stock remains equal to or less than the short call option strike price. Therefore, maximum profit is realized in the above case at any price below or equal to $113.
Breakeven would be achieved in the above example at $115, a price slightly above the short call.
The maximum loss of trader is capped to the upper strike price minus the lower strike price minus the net premium. In the above example, Maximum Loss = ($123 − $113) × 100 − $200 = $800.
How to use Bear call spread options strategy using MarketXLS?
MarketXLS is an Excel add-in with 1,000+ functions for stock and options analysis, including a bear call spread template. Using a Bear call spread options strategy with the help of MarketXLS is quite simple. The user only needs to take the following steps in the
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Mention Stock ticker
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Enter the Expiry date of the option. A list of upcoming expiry dates is provided adjacent to the input.
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Enter the OTM Strike Price
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Enter the spread (the difference between higher and lower strike prices)
(Users only need to enter the information marked in yellow in the above image. The below image shows the results users will receive after inputting the required information above) MarketXLS will make things easier for the trader by directly allowing them to observe the maximum profit and loss they would make using the bear call spread option strategy. MarketXLS would also enable the trader to monitor the maximum profit and loss at different strike points, allowing him to choose the best strategy according to their requirements.
Disclaimer:
None of the content published on marketxls.com constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
The author is not offering any professional advice of any kind. The reader should consult a professional financial advisor to determine their suitability for any strategies discussed herein.
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