
Options trading
Options Trading Strategies
Options offer numerous opportunities to respond to stock market fluctuations. By combining call and/or put options, investors can convert their expectations about future stock price movements into options trading strategies. These strategies can also help limit risk.
The different types of options spreads
Avant d'aborder les différentes stratégies de trading sur options, nous allons d'abord présenter les trois grands types de spreads sur options. Un spread sur options est une stratégie de trading sur options qui consiste pour un investisseur à acheter et vendre un nombre égal d'options portant sur le même actif sous-jacent, mais avec des dates d'expiration et/ou des prix d'exercice ("strike price") différents. Les différents types de spreads sur options présentés ci-dessous sont basés sur les positions utilisées les unes par rapport aux autres sur une chaîne d'options :
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Un spread vertical sur options consiste à utiliser des options ayant le même actif sous-jacent et la même date d'échéance, mais des prix d'exercice différents.
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Un spread horizontal sur options consiste lui à utiliser des options ayant le même actif sous-jacent et le même prix d'exercice, mais des dates d'échéances différentes. Il est aussi appelé "calendar spread" ou "time spread".
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Un spread diagonal sur options est une combinaison de spreads verticaux et horizontaux. Cette stratégie est construite en utilisant des options ayant le même actif sous-jacent, mais des prix d'exercice et des dates d'échéances différents.
Les différents types de stratégies d'options
Outre les spreads, les stratégies d'options peuvent également être classées en fonction de la tendance future des marchés financiers anticipée par les investisseurs. En fonction des perspectives, les stratégies de trading sur options sont classées comme haussières, baissières, neutres ou volatiles :
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Les stratégies haussières ("bullish strategy") sont généralement utilisées lorsque vous anticipez une hausse du cours du sous-jacent par rapport au cours actuel.
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Si, au contraire, vous anticipez une baisse du cours de l'action sous-jacente par rapport au cours actuel, vous pouvez alors opter pour une stratégie baissière ("bearish strategy").
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Également connues sous le nom de stratégies non directionnelles, les spreads diagonaux sont généralement utilisés lorsque vous anticipez une évolution stable du cours du sous-jacent par rapport au cours actuel, ou alors une variation du cours relativement faible.
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Enfin, vous pouvez choisir d'utiliser un spread diagonal lorsque vous anticipez une forte variation du prix de l'action sous-jacente, mais que vous n'êtes pas sûr de la direction (haussière ou baissière).
Exemples de stratégies de trading sur options couramment utilisées
Vous trouverez ci-dessous une présentation des différents types de stratégies de trading sur options les plus utilisées par les investisseurs. Pour chacune de ces stratégies, un exemple chiffré est présenté afin d’illustrer ces concepts de manière concrète. Les exemples et les résultats donnés sont indicatifs et ne prennent pas en compte les frais de courtage.
Covered call
Avec un "covered call", vous vendez une option d'achat ("call option") tout en possédant (ou en achetant au préalable) l'action sous-jacente. Dans ce cas, vous recevez une prime en vendant l'option d'achat, et votre position à découvert via l’option est « couverte » si l'acheteur de l'option d'achat choisit de l’exercer. En effet, vous possédez l’action sous-jacente et pouvez donc la livrer.
L’utilisation d’un "covered call" est considéré comme une stratégie de trading sur options neutre, car elle est généralement utilisée lorsque vous n’anticipez pas de fortes variations du prix du sous-jacent dans un futur proche. Le profit maximal qu’un investisseur peut obtenir via cette stratégie est la prime reçue lors de la vente de l'option d'achat, ainsi que la différence entre le prix d'exercice de l'option et le prix d'achat de l’actions sous-jacente. La perte maximale potentielle est égale au prix d'achat de l’action sous-jacente, moins la prime reçue.
Covered call : exemple
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Achat : 100 actions XYZ au prix unitaire de 50 € par action
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Vente : 1 option d’achat (option call) XYZ prix d’exercice 55 € à 2 €
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Prime nette = 2 €

If the premium received is €2, the equilibrium price (break-even point) is €48. If the price of the underlying asset exceeds the break-even point, then you make a profit. The maximum potential profit is €700 (price difference of €5, plus the €2 premium received, multiplied by the contract size of 100). Conversely, a loss will be recorded if the price decreases and falls below the break-even point. This loss is (partially) offset by the premium received, but losses can be significant if the price of the underlying asset decreases sharply.
Bull call spread
A bull call spread is a type of vertical spread. As the name suggests, a bull call spread is used when you anticipate the price of the underlying asset to rise. This options trading strategy involves the investor buying and selling an equal number of call options with the same expiration date and the same underlying asset. The strike price of the purchased call options must be lower than that of the sold call options.
This trading strategy limits losses. However, the amount of profit is also capped. The maximum potential profit is equal to the difference between the two strike prices, minus the net premium. The maximum potential loss is equal to the net premium.
Below is an example of a bull call spread:
Purchase: 1 call option XYZ strike price €60 at €3
Sale: 1 call option XYZ strike price €65 at €1.50
Net premium = €1.50 (€3 - €1.50)

The net premium paid is €1.50, so the break-even point is €61.50 (price of the purchased call option + net premium). If the underlying asset price exceeds €65, you make a profit of up to €350 (price difference of €5, less the net premium of €1.50, multiplied by the contract size of 100). Conversely, a loss will be recorded if the underlying asset price falls below the break-even point. In this case, the maximum potential loss is €150.
Bear put spread
A bear put spread is also a type of vertical spread, but this time used when you anticipate a decline in the price of the underlying asset. This strategy involves buying and selling an equal number of put options with the same underlying asset and expiration date. The sold put option must have a lower strike price than the purchased put option.
The maximum profit from a bear put spread is equal to the difference in strike prices between the put options, less the net premium paid. Conversely, the maximum potential loss is equal to the premium paid.
Below is an example of a bear put spread:
Purchase: 1 put option XYZ strike price €60 at €4
Sale: 1 put option XYZ strike price €55 at €2
Net premium = €2 (€4 - €2)

The net premium paid is €2, so the break-even point is €58. You will make a profit if the underlying price is above the break-even point at the end of the period. In this example, the maximum profit is €300 (price difference of €5, less the net premium of €2, multiplied by the contract size of 100). If the underlying price is below €58 at the end of the period, then you will incur a loss, the maximum amount of which is €200.
Long straddle option
This options trading strategy is based on the significant fluctuations that the price of financial assets sometimes undergoes, in one direction or the other. It is therefore considered a volatile options trading strategy. When the price of a stock remains relatively stable, this strategy can then result in losses. The "long straddle" consists of buying an equal number of call options and put options with the same underlying stock, the same strike price and the same expiration date. The strike prices, in this case, are at-the-money.
There are two break-even points with this strategy: the strike price minus the net premium paid, and the strike price plus the net premium paid. The risk of a straddle options strategy is limited to the premium paid. If the price moves up or down, the net book value of one of the options increases. This means that the premium paid is (partially) recouped, and the investor can even make a profit if the price of the underlying asset increases. On the upside, profits can be unlimited with this strategy.
Example of a stradle option
Purchase: 1 XYZ call option strike price €50 at €3
Purchase: 1 XYZ put option strike price €50 at €1
Net premium = €4 (€3 + €1)

The net premium paid is €4, which means that the two break-even points are €46 and €54. If the underlying asset price is below €46 or above €54, you make a profit. If the underlying asset price is between €46 and €54, you will incur a loss. The maximum amount of this loss is €400 (€4 net premium paid, multiplied by the contract size of 100).
Long strangle option
This options trading strategy also relies on the significant price fluctuations that financial assets sometimes experience. This strategy is thus similar to the long straddle strategy. However, in a long strangle options strategy, the strike prices of the call and put options are not equal. The strike price of the call option is higher than that of the put option, and both are out of the money. The underlying asset and expiration date are the same. If the stock price at expiration is between the strike prices or equal to one of these two values, both contracts will expire worthless.
In a long strangle strategy, a loss is incurred when the underlying asset's price falls between the two break-even points. There are two break-even points: the upper strike price plus the net premium, and the lower strike price minus the net premium. Potential losses are limited to the premium paid. Profits, on the other hand, can be unlimited.
Example of long strangle option
Below is an example of a "long strangle":
Purchase: 1 call option XYZ strike price 52 at €2
Purchase: 1 put option XYZ strike price 48 at €1
Net premium = €3 (€2 + €1)

The premium paid is €3. Therefore, the break-even points are €45 and €55. If the underlying asset price is below €45 or above €55, you make a profit. If the underlying asset price is between €45 and €55, you will incur a loss. The maximum amount of this loss is €300 (€3 premium paid, multiplied by the contract size: 100).
Butterfly spread
The option trading strategy called a "butterfly spread" is a combination of two vertical options spreads. It is considered a neutral strategy. It involves three steps. First, you buy one option, then you sell two options with a higher strike price, and finally, you buy one option with an even higher strike price. They all have the same underlying asset and expiration date, and the strike prices are equidistant. It gets its name from the shape of the graph that results from the combination of options contracts.
The maximum potential loss and profit are limited. The maximum loss is limited to the net premium paid. A loss is recognized when the price of the underlying asset is below the lowest strike price or above the highest strike price. The maximum potential profit is equal to the difference between the average strike price and the lowest strike price, less the net premium paid. If the underlying asset reaches the strike price of the short call options, then the investor will realize a maximum profit.
Below is an example of a butterfly spread long call:
Purchase: 1 call option XYZ strike price €45 to €5
Sale: 2 call options XYZ strike price €50 at €2
Purchase: 1 call option XYZ strike price €55 at €1
Net premium = €2 (€5 + €1 - (2 x €2))

The net premium paid is €2. Therefore, the breakeven prices (breakeven points) are €47 and €53 (lowest strike price plus the net premium and highest strike price minus the net premium). If the underlying asset price is between €47 and €53, you make a profit. This profit is capped at €300 (mid-strike price €50, minus the lowest strike price €45, minus the net premium €2, multiplied by the contract size of 100). If the underlying asset price is below €47 or above €53, you make a loss. This loss cannot exceed an amount equal to €200.
Iron condor options
A long iron condor spread is a four-step options trading strategy. It is similar to the butterfly spread in that it also uses two vertical spreads and is also considered a neutral strategy. All four options involved have the same expiration date and the same underlying asset. However, they all have different strike prices.
To build this strategy, you need to buy a put option, sell a put option with a strike price higher than the purchased put option, sell a call option with a strike price higher than the sold put option, and finally, buy a call option with the highest strike price of all the options involved. The call spread and put spread are of equal magnitude.
The maximum potential profit and loss are limited. If the underlying asset's price is between the break-even points, you make a profit that is maximized by the net premium received. Compared to a butterfly spread, there are more final prices that offer maximum profit. If the underlying asset's price falls outside the aforementioned range, you make a loss. The maximum potential loss is equal to the difference between the strike prices of either spread, less the net premium received.
You will find an example of an "iron condor":
Purchase: 1 put option XYZ strike price €45 at €1.50
Sale: 1 put option XYZ strike price €50 at €2
Sale: 1 call option XYZ strike price €55 at €2.50
Purchase: 1 call option XYZ strike price €60 at €1
Net premium = €2 (-(€1.50+€1) + (€2+€2.50))

The net premium is €2. Therefore, the break-even prices (breakeven points) are €48 and €57 (strike price of the sold put option minus the net premium, and strike price of the sold call option plus the net premium). If the price of the underlying asset is between €48 and €57, you make a profit. This profit is capped at €200. If the price of the underlying asset is below €48 or above €57, you make a loss. The maximum amount of this loss is €300 (€5 difference between the strike prices, minus €2 premium received, multiplied by the contract size of 100).
What are the risks associated with investing in options?
Before investing in options, it's important to research this type of product and, above all, understand the risks involved. Options and other complex financial products are not intended for novice investors, and some strategies are also more complex than others.
Some of the options trading strategies mentioned are designed to limit risk. However, if the strategy is not implemented correctly, you risk losing your entire investment or even more. You should only invest in products that match your knowledge and experience and are suitable for your investment plan.
The information in this article is not intended as advice or investment recommendations. Investing involves risks. You may lose (part of) your deposit. We recommend that you only invest in financial products that match your knowledge and experience.