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The Options Strategies » Short Combination

Short Combination

AKA Synthetic Short Stock; Combo

Options Playbook

The Strategy

Buying the put gives you the right to sell the stock at strike price A. Selling the call obligates you to sell the stock at strike price A if the option is assigned.

This strategy is often referred to as “synthetic short stock” because the risk / reward profile is nearly identical to short stock.

If you remain in this position until expiration, you are probably going to wind up selling the stock one way or the other. If the stock price is above strike A, the call will be assigned, resulting in a short sale of the stock. If the stock is below strike A, it would make sense to exercise your put and sell the stock. However, most investors who run this strategy don’t plan to stay in their position until expiration.

At initiation of the strategy, you will most likely receive a net credit, but you will have some additional margin requirements in your account because of the short call. However, those costs will be fairly small relative to the margin requirement for short stock. That’s the reason some investors run this strategy: to avoid having too much cash tied up in margin created by a short stock position.

Options Guy's Tips

It’s important to note that the stock price will rarely be precisely at strike price A when you establish this strategy. If the stock price is above strike A, you’ll receive more for the short call than you pay for the long put . So the strategy will be established for a net credit. If the stock price is below strike A, you will usually pay more for the long put than you receive for the short call . So the strategy will be established for a net debit. Remember: The net credit received or net debit paid to establish this strategy will be affected by where the stock price is relative to the strike price.

Dividends and carry costs can also play a large role in this strategy. For instance, if a company that has never paid a dividend before suddenly announces it’s going to start paying one, it will affect call and put prices almost immediately. That’s because the stock price will be expected to drop by the amount of the dividend after the ex-dividend date. As a result, put prices will increase and call prices will decrease independently of stock price movement in anticipation of the dividend. If the cost of puts exceeds the price of calls, then you will have to establish this strategy for a net debit. The moral of this story is: Dividends will affect whether or not you will be able to establish this strategy for a net credit instead of a net debit. So keep an eye out for them if you’re considering this strategy.

On the other hand, you may want to consider running this strategy on stock you want to short but that has a pending dividend. If you are short stock, you will be required to pay any dividends out of your own account. But with this strategy, you’ll have no such requirement.

The Setup

  • Sell a call, strike price A
  • Buy a put, strike price A
  • The stock should be at or very near strike A

Who Should Run It

All-Stars only

NOTE: The short call in this strategy creates theoretically unlimited risk. That is why it is only for the most advanced option traders.

When to Run It

Options Playbook You’re bearish.

Break-even at Expiration

Strike A plus the net credit received or minus the net debit paid to establish the strategy.

The Sweet Spot

You want the stock to completely tank.

Maximum Potential Profit

Potential profit is substantial if stock goes to zero, but limited to strike price A plus the net credit received or minus the net debit paid to establish the strategy.

Maximum Potential Loss

Risk is theoretically unlimited if the stock price keeps rising.

Margin Requirement

Margin requirement is the short call requirement.

NOTE: If established for a net credit, the proceeds may be applied to the initial margin requirement.

After this position is established, an ongoing maintenance margin requirement may apply. That means depending on how the underlying performs, an increase (or decrease) in the required margin is possible. Keep in mind this requirement is subject to change and is on a per-unit basis. So don’t forget to multiply by the total number of units when you’re doing the math.

As Time Goes By

For this strategy, time decay is somewhat neutral. It will erode the value of the option you bought (bad) but it will also erode the value of the option you sold (good).

Implied Volatility

After the strategy is established, increasing implied volatility is somewhat neutral. It will increase the value of the option you sold (bad) but it will also increase the value of the option you bought (good).

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A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

No statement in this web site is to be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security, or to provide investment advice. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Copies of this document may be obtained from your broker, from any exchange on which options are traded or by contacting The Options Clearing Corporation, 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606 ( investorservices@theocc.com ).