Derivatives: Options Call Option: The right, but not the obligation, to buy an asset at a specified exercise (or, strike) price on or before a specified date. Put Option: The right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset at a specified exercise (or, strike) price on or before a specified date. Exercise or Strike Price: Price set for calling (buying) or putting (selling) an asset. Premium: The purchase price of an option. In the money: An option where exercise would be profitable Out of the money: An option where exercise would not be profitable American Option: The buyer of an option has the right to buy (call) or sell (put) the underlying asset on or before the expiration date. European Option: The buyer of an option has the right to buy (call) or sell (put) the underlying asset only on the expiration date. Expiration Date: Normally the third Friday of the month in the United States. Writer of Option: The seller of the option (e.g., write a call means to sell a call option to someone) Stock Option Contract: normally (U.S. exchanges) the right to buy or sell 100 shares
Notation S = the value of the asset at the expiration date X = the exercise (strike) price C = the premium (or, price) of the call option P = the premium (or, price) of the put option Payoffs and Profit of Call Options: Payoff = S X if S > X; otherwise 0 Profit = S X C if S > X; otherwise -C Payoffs and Profit of Put Options: Payoff = X S if X > S; otherwise 0 Profit = X S - P if X > S; otherwise -P
Simple Numerical Examples of Call and Put Options (1) Call Option Current price of stock $50 Exercise (strike) price (X) = $55 Price at expiration (S) = $60 Premium (C) = $2 Payoff = S X = $60 - $55 = $5 Profit = S X C = $60 - $55 - $2 = $3 (2) Put Option Current price of stock $50 Exercise (strike) price (X) = $45 Price at expiration (S) = $40 Premium (P) = $2 Payoff = X - S = $45 - $40 = $5 Profit = X - S P = $45 - $40 - $2 = $3
Graphical Representation of the Profit on the Call Option Profit/Loss +3 0 50 55 60 S -2
Profit on the Call Option vs. Purchase and Sale of Stock Profit/Loss +10 +3 0 50 55 60 S -2 Why buy the call? Why not just purchase the stock then sell it when the price goes up?
Rate of Return from buying 100 shares of the stock at a price of $50 then selling all at a price of $60 Investment = $50 x 100 = $5,000 Payoff = $60 x 100 = $6,000 Profit = $10 x 100 = $1,000 = $6,000 - $5,000 $1,000 Rate of Return = =.20 = 20% $5,000 Rate of Return from buying a call option contract (100 shares) with a premium of $2 per share Investment = $2 x 100 = $200 Payoff = $5 x 100 = $500 = ($60 - $55) x 100 Profit = $3 x 100 = $300 = ($60 - $55 - $2) x 100 $300 Rate of Return = = 1.50 = 150% $200 Suppose you had used all of your $5,000 to buy call options Investment = $2 x 2,500 = $5,000 Payoff = $5 x 2,500 = $12,500 Profit = $3 x 2,500 = $7,500 $7,500 Rate of Return = = 1.50 = 150% $5,000
Graphical Representation of the Profit on the Put Option Exercise price (X) = $45; Price at expiration (S) = $40; Premium (P) = $2 Profit/Loss +3 0 40 45 S -2 What about the writer (seller) of the call option and put option?
Profit from a Writing a Naked Call Option Exercise (strike) price (X) = $55; Price at expiration (S) = $60; Premium (C) = $2 Profit/Loss +2 0 S 55 60-3
Profit from a Writing a Covered Call Option Current Price = 50; Exercise (strike) price (X) = $55; Price at expiration (S) = $60; Premium (C) = $2 First, purchase the stock Profit/Loss 0 50 60 S
Second, write the call Profit/Loss +2 0 S 55 60-3
Profit on the covered call Profit/Loss Buying the stock +7 Buying stock and writing a call option +2 0 S 48 50 55 60 2-50= -48
Profit/Loss Profit for the Writer of the Put Option Exercise price (X) = $45; Price at expiration (S) = $40; Premium (C) = $2 +2 0 40 45 S -3
Option Strategies: Protective Put Action: Purchase Stock and buy a Put Option Assumptions: Purchase price of stock = $30 Exercise Price = $30 Premium on Put Option = $2 Graph the profit potential
Option Strategies: Protective Put Profit/Loss Stock Purchase Protective Put 0-2 30 S Compare this to the purchase of a stock and writing a call.
Option Strategies: Straddle Action: Purchase a call and put Assumptions: Exercise price (X) for both = $30 Expiration date is the same for both Call option premium = $3 Put option premium = $2. Graph the profit potential
Option Strategies: Straddle Profit/Loss +25 0 S 25 30 35-5
Option Strategies: Collar Action: Owning a share, buying a put, and writing a call Assumptions: Current price = $40 Exercise Price of Call = $50 Exercise Price of Put = $30 Premium of Call = Premium on Put (write the call in order to purchase the put) Graph the potential profit
Option Strategies: Collar Profit/Loss +10 0 S 30 40 50-10
Review Problems 1. Suppose the current price of ABC stock is $30. A call option is selling for $2 with an exercise price of $30 set to expire in 3 months. Illustrate the possible profit/loss from purchasing the stock, then selling it in 3 months. On the same graph, illustrate the possible profit/loss from purchasing the call option. 2. Suppose the current price of ABC stock is $30. You write a call option for a price of $2 with an exercise price of $30. Assuming that you do not own the stock illustrate your possible profit/loss from writing the option. 3. Suppose the current price of ABC stock is $30. After purchasing the stock, you write a call option for a price of $2 with an exercise price of $30. Illustrate your possible profit/loss from writing the option. 4. Suppose the current price of XYZ stock is $70. You do not own the stock, however, you believe that the stock price will be lower in 3 months time. You purchase a put option at a cost of $5 with an exercise price of $65. Illustrate your possible profit/loss from the purchase of the put option. 5. The current price of a stock is $80. Explain and graphically illustrate the potential profits and losses for each of the following investment strategies: a. An investor purchases a call option for $10 with a strike price of $85. b. An investor purchases the stock at the current price of $80 and buys a put option for $10 with a strike price of $80. c. An investor purchases the stock at the current price of $80 and writes (i.e., sells) a call option for $10 with a strike price of $80. Under what set of investor beliefs about the movement of the stock price would (c) be a better investment strategy than (b)? 6. An investor purchases a call option and a put option for $3 each. Explain and graphically illustrate the potential profits and losses for each of the following scenarios: a. The exercise (strike) price for each option is exactly the same --- e.g., $75. b. The exercise price for the call option exceeds that of the put option --- e.g., X call = $75 X put = $65