Bull Call vs. Bull Put Spread (CME#9)

It's impossible to tell whether a credit spread is better than a debit spread without a detailed examination of the two strategies and a little reward/risk (R/R) analysis. First, let's examine the diagram in Figure 1 to better understand its significance, and how it will help you analyze what's happening to your strategy as the price of the underlying instrument changes. The "CME#9" in the diagram title refers to diagram 9 in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) booklet of 21 proven strategies for option trading. (It's available free of charge; check at the end of this article at the references section.)

Figure 1: Standard profit/loss curve for a bull spread strategy

The diagram is one of the standard profit/loss curves used to analyze the changing option price with the passage of time and the changing underlying market price. The diagram is a symbol of the actual curve you will see if you are doing your analysis in a Black-Scholes model, such as the Options Toolbox available from the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). (See my article on using this model in the March 2000 STOCKS & COMMODITIES.)

BULL SPREAD
In Figure 2, you see a screen shot of this model showing a bull call spread. The bull spread is one of those strategies that can be executed with calls or puts. These are referred to as equivalent strategies. The strategy can be entered by buying a near call and selling a far call (higher strike price), or by buying a near put and selling a far put. The call spread will result in a debit spread, as the long premium is always higher than the short premium. The put spread will result in a credit spread, as the long premium is always lower than the short premium. Whichever you choose, of course, should be dictated by careful analysis, not merely based upon the credit vs. debit factor. (The bull call spread is the most common bullish trade, per the CME.)

Figure 2: The bull call spread

Figure 2 shows the derivation of the bull call spread curve (blue). The red curve is the long call with the break at the 130 strike price; the yellow curve is the short call at the 140 strike price. Again, these are the standard symbols for these strategies, which are always shown at expiration. At any time prior to expiration, these curves do actually curve.

Figure 3 shows a screen shot of the model analyzing a bull put spread. Note the blue spread curve is identical to that of the bull call spread; however, this time the red curve is the long put and the yellow is the short put.

Figure 3: The bull put spread

LET'S ANALYZE THIS
Call Spread
A = long strike (130): B = short strike (140)
Long Call premium = 10.5
Short Call premium = 6.25
Debit = long prem. (10.5) - short prem. (6.25) = 4.25
Break Even = A (130) + debit (10.5-6.25) = 134.25
Max Profit = B - A (140-130) - debit (4.25) = 4.75
Max Risk = debit (4.25)
R/R = MAX PROF/MAX RISK = 4.75/4.25 = 1.35

Put Spread
A = long strike (130): B = short strike (140)
Long Put premium = 6
Short Put premium = 11.25
Credit = short prem (11.25) - long prem (6) = 5.25
Break Even = B (140) - credit (11.25 - 6) = 134.75
Max profit = credit (5.25)
Max risk = B - A (10) - credit = 4.75
R/R = MAX PROF/MAX RISK = 5.25/4.75 = 1.10

So even though the call spread started out as a debit, its R/R is greater than the put (credit) spread. This is not always the case, however, which is why each strategy must be evaluated in this way. Volatility is the culprit here, as the premium price you actually pay (or receive) may not agree with what the model tells you it should be.

When using the model, you must plug in the actual market price if it differs from the calculated price. This same analysis applies to bear call and bear put spreads, and the same analysis is required. However, in the bear strategy, the call is the credit spread and the put is the debit spread. Try it!

In Figure 4, you see an Excel spreadsheet model that will do all the calculations for you.

Figure 4: Calculating risk/reward

Type in your variable data (strike prices and option premiums) in the pink cells, and the results will be displayed in the green cells. The formulas for the cells are as follows:

B10 = B7 - B8
D11 = D8 - D7
B13 = D6 - B6 - B10
D13 = D11
B14 = B10
D14 = D6 - B6 - D11
B16 = B13/B14
D16 = D13/D14

So which spread will it be? Going through with this simple reward/risk calculation will help you answer that question before you place that next options trade.

Rudy Teseo is a private investor and has taught classes in option trading and technical analysis. He can be reached at RFTess@Juno.com.

SUGGESTED READING
McMillan, Lawrence G. [1993]. Options As A Strategic Investment, New York Institute of Finance.
Teseo, Rudy [2000]. "Use The CBOE's Option Analysis Calculator--Gratis," Technical Analysis of STOCKS & COMMODITIES, Volume 18: March.

Current and past articles from Working Money, The Investors' Magazine, can be found at Working-Money.com.