Put
Ratio Backspread
When
to use
Normally
entered when market is near A and shows signs of increasing activity,
with greater probability to downside (for example, if last major
move was up, followed by stagnation).
Profit
Characteristics
Profit
limited on upside (to net credit taken in when position was set
up in put vs. put version) but open-ended in collapsing market.
Loss
Characteristics
Maximum loss, in amount of B - A - initial
credit, is realized if market is at A at expiration. This loss is
less than for equivalent long straddle, the trade-off for sacrificing
profit potential on the upside.
Decay
Characteristics
If market is at A, loss from decay will accelerate
the most rapidly. Therefore, you may want to exit early if
market is near A as you enter last month. At B, you have the greatest
rate of profit accrual by decay of short option.
< BACK |