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Option Strategies Details

Setup

Buy a Call

Typical Application

1. Speculate on a large, volatile price increase

Volatility forecast

Up

Price forecast

Up

Breakeven

Strike Price plus Premium (debit) paid

PnL Equivalent

Protective Put

Max contract loss

Cost of the Call

Max position loss

same as Max Contract Loss

Long Call

Level: Beginner
1 Leg
Debit
Beginner
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You buy (long) a Call

Description

A trader who wants to speculate on a large, fast, and volatile price increase can buy a Call. The trader pays a debit, called a premium, to buy the Call and has the right (but not the obligation) to buy 100 shares at the strike price.

Suppose stock XYZ is trading at $24. You forecast a large, fast increase in XYZ price and you also forecast an increase in XYZ volatility.

You buy a $25 Call for $0.50 to express this view. Your breakeven XYZ price at expiry is $25 (strike price) + $0.50 (premium paid) = $25.50, but since the time component of your trade plan may not extend all the way to expiration you should be prepared to sell to close at a variety of XYZ prices as the market value of your $25 Call changes.