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Long Strangle (or Buy Strangle)
The long strangle, also known as buy strangle or simply "strangle", is a neutral strategy in options trading that involve the simultaneous buying of a slightly out-of-the-money put and a slightly out-of-the-money call of the same underlying stock and expiration date.
| Long Strangle Construction |
| Buy 1 OTM Call Buy 1 OTM Put |
This is an unlimited profit, limited risk strategy that is taken when the options trader thinks that the underlying stock will experience significant volatility in the near term. The long strangle is a debit spread as a net debit is taken to enter the trade.
Unlimited Profit Potential
Large gains for the long strangle is attainable when the underlying stock price makes a very strong move either upwards or downwards at expiration.
The formula for calculating profit is given below:
- Maximum Profit = Unlimited
- Profit Achieved When Price of Underlying > Strike Price of Long Call + Net Premium Paid OR Price of Underlying < Strike Price of Long Put - Net Premium Paid
- Profit = Price of Underlying - Strike Price of Long Call - Net Premium Paid OR Strike Price of Long Put - Price of Underlying - Net Premium Paid
Limited Risk
Maximum loss for the long strangle is hit when the underlying stock price on expiration date is trading between the strike prices of the options bought. At this price, both options expire worthless and the options trader loses the entire initial debit taken to enter the trade.
The formula for calculating maximum loss is given below:
- Max Loss = Net Premium Paid + Commissions Paid
- Max Loss Occurs When Price of Underlying is in between Strike Price of Long Call and Strike Price of Long Put
Breakeven Point(s)
There are 2 break-even points for the long strangle. The breakeven points can be calculated using the following formulae.
- Upper Breakeven Point = Strike Price of Long Call + Net Premium Paid
- Lower Breakeven Point = Strike Price of Long Put - Net Premium Paid
Example
Suppose XYZ stock is trading at $40 in June. An options trader executes a long strangle by buying a JUL 35 put for $100 and a JUL 45 call for $100. The net debit taken to enter the trade is $200, which is also his maximum possible loss.
If XYZ stock rallies and is trading at $50 on expiration in July, the JUL 35 put will expire worthless but the JUL 45 call expires in the money and has an intrinsic value of $500. Subtracting the initial debit of $200, the options trader's profit comes to $300.
On expiration in July, if XYZ stock is still trading at $40, both the JUL 35 put and the JUL 45 call expire worthless and the options trader suffers a maximum loss which is equal to the initial debit of $200 taken to enter the trade.
Short Strangle
The converse strategy to the long strangle is the short strangle. Short strangle spreads are used when little movement is expected of the underlying stock price.