What is Short Call?

687 reads · Last updated: December 5, 2024

A Short Call is an options strategy where the option seller (the one who has sold the call option) anticipates a decrease in the price of the underlying asset. In this strategy, the seller receives a premium for selling the call option, with the maximum profit capped at the premium received, while the potential loss can increase indefinitely with the rise in the price of the underlying asset.

Definition

Selling call options is an options strategy where the seller (also known as the call option writer) expects the underlying asset's price to decline. In this strategy, the seller earns a premium from selling the call option, with maximum profit limited to the premium received, while potential losses can increase indefinitely as the underlying asset's price rises.

Origin

The history of options trading dates back to ancient Greece, but the modern options market began with the establishment of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) in 1973. Selling call options as a strategy has become widely used by investors as the options market matured.

Categories and Features

Selling call options can be categorized into naked selling and covered selling. Naked selling involves the seller not owning the underlying asset, which carries higher risk; covered selling involves the seller owning the underlying asset, which reduces risk. The main features of selling call options are limited profit and unlimited potential loss.

Case Studies

Case 1: Suppose Investor A sells a call option on Apple Inc. with a strike price of $160 when the stock is at $150, receiving a $5 premium. If Apple's stock price is below $160 at expiration, Investor A keeps the premium as profit. Case 2: Investor B sells a call option on Tesla Inc. with a strike price of $750 when the stock is at $700, receiving a $10 premium. If Tesla's stock price is above $750 at expiration, Investor B may face unlimited losses.

Common Issues

Common issues for investors include how to manage risk and when is the best time to sell call options. It is generally advised to use this strategy when the market is highly volatile and there is a clear bearish outlook on the underlying asset's price. Additionally, investors should set stop-loss points to limit potential losses.

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