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Purchasing calls has remained the most popular strategy with investors since
listed options were first introduced. Before moving into more complex bullish
and bearish strategies, an investor should thoroughly understand the fundamentals
about buying and holding call options.
MARKET OPINION: Bullish to very bullish.
Bullish Speculation
This strategy appeals to an investor who is generally more interested
in the dollar amount of his initial investment and the leveraged financial
reward that long calls can offer. The primary motivation of this investor
is to realize financial reward from an increase in price of the underlying
security. Experience and precision are key to selecting the right option
(expiration and/or strike price) for the most profitable result. In general, the more out-of-the-money
the call is the more bullish the strategy, as bigger increases in the underlying stock price are required for the option to reach the break-even
point.
As Stock Substitute
An investor who buys a call instead of purchasing the underlying stock
considers the lower dollar cost of purchasing a call contract versus an
equivalent amount of stock as a form of insurance. The uncommitted capital
is "insured" against a decline in the price of the call option's underlying
stock, and can be invested elsewhere. This investor is generally more
interested in the number of shares of stock underlying the call contracts
purchased, than in the specific amount of the initial investment - one
call option contract for each 100 shares he wants to own. While holding
the call option, the investor retains the right to purchase an equivalent
number of underlying shares at any time at the predetermined strike price
until the contract expires.
Note: Equity option holders do not enjoy the rights due stockholders –
e.g., voting rights, regular cash or special dividends, etc. A call holder
must exercise the option and take ownership of the underlying shares to
be eligible for these rights.
A long call option offers a leveraged alternative to a position in the stock.
As the contract becomes more profitable, increasing leverage can result
in large percentage profits because purchasing calls generally requires
lower up-front capital commitment than with an outright purchase of the
underlying stock. Long call contracts offer the investor a pre-determined
risk.
Maximum Profit: Unlimited
Maximum Loss: Limited
Net Premium Paid
Upside Profit at Expiration: Stock Price - Strike Price - Premium Paid
Assuming Stock Price above BEP
Your maximum profit depends only on the potential price increase of the underlying
security; in theory it is unlimited. At expiration an in-the-money call
will generally be worth its intrinsic value. Though the potential loss
is predetermined and limited in dollar amount, it can be as much as 100%
of the premium initially paid for the call. Whatever your motivation for
purchasing the call, weigh the potential reward against the potential
loss of the entire premium paid.
BEP:
Strike Price + Premium Paid
Before expiration, however, if the contract's market price has sufficient time
value remaining, the BEP can occur at a lower stock price.
Volatility Increases: Positive Effect
Volatility Decreases: Negative Effect
Any effect of volatility on the option's total premium is on the time value portion.
Passage of Time: Negative Effect
The time value portion of an option's premium, which the option holder has
"purchased" by paying for the option, generally decreases, or decays,
with the passage of time. This decrease accelerates as the option contract
approaches expiration.
At any given time before expiration, a call option holder can sell the call
in the listed options marketplace to close out the position. This can
be done to either realize a profitable gain in the option's premium, or
to cut a loss.
At expiration, most investors holding an in-the-money call option will elect
to sell the option in the marketplace if it has value, before the end
of trading on the option's last trading day. An alternative is to exercise
the call, resulting in the purchase of an equivalent number of underlying
shares at the strike price.
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