U.S. Stock Options Strategy two : Bear Put Spread Strategy in a Bear Market
01-10 17:58uSMART

Bear Put Spread Strategy, commonly known as "Bear Put Spread", is an options strategy used when anticipating a decrease in the price of an asset. This strategy involves simultaneously buying and selling put options with different strike prices.

 

Strategy Principles:

  1. Buy a put option with a higher strike price (long position): Investors purchase a put option with a higher strike price, paying a premium, with the expectation that the asset price will decrease.
  2. Sell a put option with a lower strike price (short position): Simultaneously, investors sell a put option with a lower strike price, receiving a premium to lower the overall cost.

 

Profit and Loss Characteristics:

  • Maximum Profit: Achieved when the asset price at expiration is below the lower strike price, the profit is the difference between the two strike prices minus the net premium paid.
  • Maximum Loss: Occurs when the asset price at expiration is above the higher strike price, resulting in a loss equal to the net premium paid.
  • Breakeven Point: The higher strike price minus the net premium paid.

 

Example:

Suppose an investor believes that Stock Y will decline, with the current price at $100. The investor executes the following actions:

  1. Buys a put option with a strike price of $100, paying a premium of $6.
  2. Sells a put option with a strike price of $90, receiving a premium of $2.

Thus, the net premium paid is $4 ($6 - $2).

  • If Stock Y declines to $85 at expiration, the bought put option is worth $15, and the sold put option loses $5, resulting in a total profit of $10 ($15 - $5), with a net profit of $6 ($10 - $4).
  • If Stock Y rises to $105 at expiration, both options expire worthless, resulting in a loss equal to the net premium paid, which is $4.

 

Drawing the Profit and Loss Graph:

To visually represent the profit and loss of the Bear Put Spread Strategy, we create a profit and loss graph. In this graph, the horizontal axis represents the asset's expiration price, while the vertical axis represents the strategy's profit and loss. The graph will display the profit and loss variations at different stock price levels.

 

 

The chart illustrates the profit and loss scenario of the Bear Put Spread strategy in a bear market. From the chart:

  • When the stock price is above $100 (indicated by the blue dashed line), the strategy incurs a fixed loss at the net premium paid, which is $4.
  • When the stock price ranges between $90 and $100 (between the red and blue dashed lines), the strategy begins to profit, reaching the breakeven point (green dashed line) at a stock price of $96.
  • When the stock price is below $90 (indicated by the red dashed line), the strategy achieves its maximum profit, which is fixed at $6.

Through this chart, investors can gain a clearer understanding of the profit and loss scenario of the Bear Put Spread strategy in a bear market at different stock price levels, aiding them in making informed trading decisions.

 

 Follow us

Find us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for frequent updates on all things investing.

Have a financial topic you would like to discuss? Head over to the uSMART Community to share your thoughts and insights about the market! Click the picture below to download and explore uSMART app!

 

 

 

 

Important Notice and Disclaimer:

We have based this article on our internal research and information available to the public from sources we believe to be reliable. While we have taken all reasonable care in preparing this article, we do not represent the information contained in this article is accurate or complete and we accept no responsibility for errors of fact or for any opinion expressed in this article. Opinions, projections and estimates reflect our assessments as of the article date and are subject to change. We have no obligation to notify you or anyone of any such change. You must make your own independent judgment with respect to any matter contained in this article. Neither we or our respective directors, officers or employees will be responsible for any losses or damages which any person may suffer or incur as a result of relying upon anything stated or omitted from this article.

This document should not be construed in any jurisdiction as constituting an offer, solicitation, recommendation, inducement, endorsement, opinion, or guarantee to purchase, sell, or trade any securities, financial products, or instruments or to engage in any investment or any transaction of any kind, nor is there any intention to solicit or invite the purchase or sale of any securities.

The value of these securities and the income from them may fall or rise. Your investment is subject to investment risk, including loss of income and capital invested. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in this article is not indicative of its future performance.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore