Bull call spread strategy in options trading: 28 January 2022

Blog | F&O

A bull call spread strategy is an option strategy that traders implement when they are “moderately” bullish on a stock or an index. In this strategy, traders buy an ATM (at-the-money) call option and sell an OTM (out-of-the-money) call option to reduce their cost. 

Let’s see how this strategy works.

Background

In the December quarter, the Bajaj Finance's asset under management (AUM) jumped 26% year-on-year to ₹1.8 lakh crore. 

Also, the lender acquired 26 lakh new customers in Q3FY22, up 18%. Its total customer base stands at 5.5 crore. 

Derivatives build-up

After touching the recent high of 8,044 earlier this month, the stock corrected to 6,708 in the market fall. It has now bounced back and is trading at 7,000 levels. 

The February 7,200 strike price call option has a significant base suggesting that the stock can face resistance at this price. 

This is nearly 3% higher than the current price of 7,000

The lot size in the F&O contract is 125 shares per lot.

Action

Traders willing to take a moderately bullish position on it tend to initiate a bull call spread strategy that involves buying an ATM (at-the-money) call option of 7,000 strike price (February expiry) at ₹330 and selling an OTM (out-of-the-money) call option of 7,200 strike price (February expiry) at ₹250.

Now, if the stocks moves higher and closes at ₹7,200 levels on expiry, the trader will make a profit of ₹15,000 [Loss on long call option: (130 * 125 = 16,250) + profit on short call option: (250 * 125 = 31,250)].

However, at the price of ₹7,200, the profit is capped at ₹15,000 because above this rate every one rupee increase in premium of the long call position will be offset by a one rupee increase in premium of the short call position.

The break-even point of this strategy is calculated by adding the ATM (at-the-money) strike price (7,000) and the net premium paid (330 - 250 = 80). In this case, the break-even point  is ₹7,080 (7,000 + 80). If the stock closes at ₹7,080 on expiry, the trader will have neither incurred a profit nor a loss. 

In case the stock goes down, say below ₹7,000 levels, the trader's loss is limited to a net premium paid of ₹10,000 (80 * 125). 

This strategy has a favourable profit to loss payoff of nearly 1.5:1, which tends to work in the favour of the trader. 

We hope this strategy was simple and easy to understand. You can try spotting it on the option chain and see if you are able to identify levels. 

We’ll bring you a lot of strategies that will help you to identify trade setups easily.

Until then, happy trading!

 

About the author: Kush Bohra is a SEBI-registered investment advisor and an F&O expert.


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Disclaimer

Derivatives trading must be done only by traders who fully understand the risks associated with them and strictly apply risk mechanisms like stop-losses. 

We do not recommend any particular stock. The stock names mentioned in this article are purely for showing how to do analysis. Take your own decision before investing. 

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