Preface xi
Acknowledgments xiii
CHAPTER 1 Essential Option Knowledge 1
The Option Basics 1
In-At-Out of the Money 5
Intrinsic and Time Value 6
Spread Basics 8
The Greeks 9
Payo? Tables and Diagrams 10
Option Pricing Calculators 12
CHAPTER 2 Spreads Using an Underlying Security 15
Covered Call 15
Covered Call Using LEAPSQR 22
Systematic Covered Call Strategies 25
Cash-Secured Put 26
Systematic Cash-Secured Put 31
Protective Put 32
The Collar 33
CHAPTER 3 Synthetic Positions 37
Put-Call Parity 39
Synthetic Long Positions 40
Synthetic Short Positions 44
Arbitrage in Put-Call Parity 50
Individuals Using Put-Call Parity 52
CHAPTER 4 The Greeks 55
Price-Related Greeks 55
Time-Related Greek 61
Volatility-Related Greek 65
Interest Rate-Related Greek 67
Conclusion 69
CHAPTER 5 Straddles 71
Long Straddle Mechanics 72
Short Straddle 81
CHAPTER 6 Strangles 89
Long Strangle Mechanics 89
Short Strangle Mechanics 98
CHAPTER 7 Bull Spreads 107
Bull Put Spread 107
Bull Call Spread 114
CHAPTER 8 Bear Spreads 121
Bear Call Spread 121
Bear Put Spread 127
CHAPTER 9 Butterfly Spreads 135
Introduction to Butter?y Spreads 136
Long Call Butter?y 136
Long Put Butter?y 139
Iron Butter?y 142
Short Straddle Comparison 146
Short Call Butter?y 149
Short Put Butter?y 152
Reverse Iron Butter?y 154
Reverse Iron Butter?y versus Straddle 156
CHAPTER 10 Condor Spreads 159
Introduction to Condor Spreads 159
Long Call Condor 160
Long Put Condor 163
Iron Condor 166
Iron Condor versus Short Strangle 170
Short Condor Spreads 172
Reverse Iron Condor 176
Reverse Iron Condor versus Long Strangle 179
CHAPTER 11 Ratio Spreads 183
Call Ratio Spread 184
Put Ratio Spread 189
Ratio Spread Comparisons 192
CHAPTER 12 Backspreads 199
Call Backspread 199
Put Backspread 203
Backspread Comparisons 207
CHAPTER 13 The Stock Repair Strategy 213
Doubling Down on a Position 214
The Stock Repair Trade 215
CHAPTER 14 Calendar Spreads 219
Time Value E?ect 220
Long Call Calendar 221
Long Put Calendar 224
Combined Calendar Spread 227
CHAPTER 15 Diagonal Spreads 231
Call Diagonal Spread 231
LEAPS Call Diagonal Spread 234
Put Diagonal Spread 237
LEAPS Put Diagonal Spread 239
Double Diagonal Spread 241
CHAPTER 16 Delta Neutral Trading 245
Delta Review 245
Delta-Neutral Positions 246
Gamma 250
Market Maker Trading 251
CHAPTER 17 Executing a Spread Trade 255
Executing a Stock or Option Trade 256
A Single Option Spread 258
A Spread with Two Options 260
A Spread with Multiple Legs 261
Legging into a Spread Trade 265
About the Author 269
Index 271
