What are my options - SPX What are my options - SPX What are my options - SPX

What are my options - SPX

Koen Hoorelbeke

Options Strategist

Summary:  The upcoming CPI-numbers can impact the overall market, so you might consider a trade-setup on an underlying with a broad reach, like the S&P 500 Index. This article discusses possible trade setups using options on the S&P 500 Index.


What are my options - SPX

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a critical economic indicator that measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. The upcoming CPI announcement on Wednesday can lead to significant market movements, affecting the prices of stocks, bonds, commodities, and their derivatives.

As the CPI-numbers can impact the overall market, you might consider a trade on an underlying with a broad reach, like the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is identified by the SPX-ticker.

Options on the SPX are an alternative to options on the SPY. Unlike the SPX, the SPY is an ETF, and approx. 10 times smaller than the SPX. There are however more differences why some traders and investors prefer the SPX:

Cash Settlement: SPX options are cash-settled, meaning you won't end up with a large position in the underlying securities when the options expire. This can be beneficial if you want to avoid the potential complications of physical settlement. In some countries you avoid extra taxes in case of assignment.
-
 Size: Each SPX option contract represents 100 times the index level. For example, if SPX is at 4,000, each contract represents $400,000 in value. This makes SPX options more efficient for larger accounts.
- European-style Exercise: SPX options can only be exercised at expiration, which eliminates the risk of early assignment that you might face when trading American-style options like SPY.

Below are some strategies you can use to act upon the upcoming news-events.

Please note that the strategies and examples provided in this article are intended for educational purposes only. They are designed to aid in the development of a thought process and should not be blindly copied or implemented. Every investor or trader must conduct their own due diligence and consider their unique financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment objectives before making any decisions. Remember, investing in the stock market involves risk, and it's crucial to make informed decisions.


Strategy: Vertical Credit Put Spread (Bullish)

The Vertical Put Spread is a defined risk strategy, meaning that your risk (and profit) is defined upfront. This is achieved by selling a put option at a certain strike price, and simultaneously buying another put option at a lower strike price as insurance. The goal is to profit from a rise in the stock's price, or a price-decline that doesn't go under the short put of the vertical spread.
This setup involves a Bull Put Vertical Spread strategy on the S&P 500 Index. The index last traded at 4398.95 USD.

The option strategy consists of two parts:

- Selling to Open a Put option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4250 USD
- Buying to Open a Put option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4240 USD

This is a credit spread as the premium received from the short put is greater than the premium paid for the long put, resulting in a net premium received of 120 USD. The margin impact for this trade is 804.83 EUR with no trade fees listed. The maximum risk for this trade is -880 USD, with a maximum profit of 120 USD.

The breakeven point for this trade is 4248.8 USD. The trade has a probability of profit at expiration of 79.31% based on the delta's of the short-position.

A Bull Put Spread is a bullish strategy that profits from a rise in the underlying asset's price or a fall in the implied volatility. It provides a defined risk trade with the maximum loss being the difference between the strikes minus the net credit received.

As with any strategy, there are always risks involved:

Price Risk: If the S&P 500 index falls below the breakeven point of 4248.8 at expiration, the trade will result in a loss.

Gap Risk: The index could gap downwards to a level significantly below the strike price of the long put, leading to losses sooner than expected. The maximum loss for this trade is 880 USD.

Early Assignment Risk: There is no risk of early assignment with SPX options as they can only be exercised at expiration and always cash-settled (meaning no delivery of underlyings).


Strategy: Iron Condor (Neutral)

The Iron Condor is a defined risk strategy that seeks to profit from a lack of movement in the underlying asset's price. This is achieved by simultaneously setting up a Bull Put Spread (selling a put and buying a lower strike put) and a Bear Call Spread (selling a call and buying a higher strike call). The goal is to have the underlying asset's price stay within the range of the two spreads by expiration. Profits are limited to the net premium received for setting up the trade, and the maximum risk is the difference between the strikes of either spread, minus the net premium received.
The option strategy consists of four parts:

- Buying to Open a Put option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4560 USD.
- Selling to Open a Put option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4555 USD.
- Selling to Open a Put option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4240 USD.
- Buying to Open a Put option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4235 USD.

This strategy profits if the S&P 500 stays between the two inner strikes, which in this case are 4240 and 4555, by expiration.

The net premium received for this trade is 180 USD, the margin impact for this trade is 79.86 EUR. The maximum risk for this trade is -320 USD, with a maximum profit of 180 USD.

The breakeven points for this trade are 4238.2 and 4556.8. The trade has a probability of profit of 63.10% based on the delta's of the short-positions.

As with any strategy, there are always risks involved:

Price Risk: If the S&P 500 index moves significantly and goes beyond the breakeven points of 4238.2 or 4556.8 at expiration, the trade will result in a loss. The maximum loss for this trade is 320 USD, at expiration.

Early Assignment Risk: There is no risk of early assignment with SPX options as they can only be exercised at expiration and always cash-settled (meaning no delivery of underlyings).


Strategy: Vertical Credit Call Spread (Bearish)


The Vertical Credit Call Spread, also called a Bear Call Spread, is a defined risk strategy that aims to profit from a decrease in the stock's price, or a price increase that doesn't surpass the short call of the vertical spread. This is achieved by selling a call option at a certain strike price, and simultaneously buying another call option at a higher strike price to limit potential losses. The maximum profit is the net premium received for setting up the trade, while the maximum risk is the difference between the strike prices minus the net premium received.
The option strategy consists of two parts:

Buying to Open a Call option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4545 USD.
Selling to Open a Call option for expiry date 18-Aug-23 at a strike price of 4535 USD.

This is a credit spread as the premium received from the short call is greater than the premium paid for the long call, resulting in a net premium received of 265 USD. The margin impact for this trade is 653.29 EUR. The maximum risk for this trade is -735 USD, with a maximum profit of 265 USD.

The breakeven point for this trade is 4537.65 USD. The trade has a probability of profit of 74.88%, based on the delta of the short position.

A Bear Call Spread is a bearish strategy that profits from a fall in the underlying asset's price or a fall in the implied volatility. It provides a defined risk trade with the maximum loss being the difference between the strikes minus the net credit received.

Risks involved with this trade:

Price Risk: If the S&P 500 index increases beyond the breakeven point of 4537.65 at expiration, the trade will result in a loss. The maximum loss for this trade is 735 USD

Early Assignment Risk: There is no risk of early assignment with SPX options as they can only be exercised at expiration and always cash-settled (meaning no delivery of underlyings).


The strategies explained above are short volatility/limited reward strategies intended to take advantage of a higher theoretical probability of profit. There are of course a lot of other strategies possible. For example: if expecting a significant directional move, you can consider owning a long put or long call strategy, or a long put spread or long call spread. In a future article I'll explain the differences between the short and long strategies in general.
Options Overview by barchart.com

Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q3

Sandcastle economics

01 / 05

  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Invest wisely in Q3 2024: Discover SaxoStrats' insights on navigating a stable yet fragile global economy.

    Read article
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain inflation and evolving monetary policies.

    Read article
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynamics echo 2021's rally.

    Read article
  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperform in Q3 2024.

    Read article
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities in Q3 2024.

    Read article
Disclaimer

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited prepares and distributes information/research produced within the Saxo Bank Group for informational purposes only. In addition to the disclaimer below, if any general advice is provided, such advice does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of trading any financial instrument as trading can result in losses that exceed your initial investment. Please refer to our Analysis Disclaimer, and our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement. All legal documentation and disclaimers can be found at https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/.

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service. Access and use of Saxo News & Research and any Saxo Bank Group website are subject to (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; and (iii) the Risk Warning in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group.

Saxo News & Research is provided for informational purposes, does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. No Saxo Bank Group entity shall be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information on Saxo News & Research.

To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, such content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication.

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments.Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Capital Markets or its affiliates.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Full Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)
- Analysis Disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/analysis-disclaimer/saxo-analysis-disclaimer)
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited
Suite 1, Level 14, 9 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Contact Saxo

Select region

Australia
Australia

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-au/about-us/awards

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited ABN 32 110 128 286 AFSL 280372 (‘Saxo’ or ‘Saxo Capital Markets’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms, Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Saxo Capital Markets does not provide ‘personal’ financial product advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. The Target Market Determination should assist you in determining whether any of the products or services we offer are likely to be consistent with your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website is not intended for residents of the United States and Japan.

Please click here to view our full disclaimer.