Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

Igor

Costless Collar (Zero-Cost Collar)

Recommended Posts

Traders who carry out a costless collar (zero-cost collar) strategy are betting that the market price will go up for the assets owned in their portfolio. The method fully protects a nine-month to a two-and-a-half-year long position from market downturns, and it costs almost nothing to implement. The technique involves buying LEAP put options and writing (selling) the same amount of LEAP call options for the owned underlying asset. Entering this type of position limits the trader's potential profit.

 

Definition - LEAP Options:

Regular options expire in 30 days. Exchanges worldwide created Long-term Equity Anticipation Securities (LEAP) to give people more room to secure their portfolio's long positions. By offering LEAP options, investors can trade puts and calls that expire from nine months to two-and-a-half years.

 

The Differences Between ITM, ATM and OTM for Puts and Calls

There are five ways to define the relationship between an option's strike price and the market price of its underlying asset for puts and calls. Understanding the differences between the terms is important when considering the risks involved in implementing a costless collar (zero-cost collar) strategy.

 

Put Options:

ITM - In The Money: The underlying asset's market price is less than option's strike price.

OTM - Out of The Money: The underlying asset's market price is more than option's strike price.

 

Call Options:

ITM - In The Money: The underlying asset's market price is more than option's strike price.

OTM - Out of The Money: The underlying asset's market price is less than option's strike price.

 

Both Put and Call Options

ATM - At The Money: The underlying asset's market price equals the option's strike price.

 

How to Implement a Costless Collar (Zero-Cost Collar) Strategy

 

attachment.php?attachmentid=27779&stc=1&d=1331072355

 

XYZ is worth $50 (market price) in June of 2006

1) Trader buys 100 shares of XYZ preferred stock and pays $5000 in June 2006.

2) Trader writes (sells) a call option: XYZ[Jul07]60($5) 50

- 100 shares of XYZ (LEAPS) stock

- Strike Price $60 (OTM), expiring in 360 days

- Premium Cost of $5

3) Trader buys a put option: XYZ[Jul07]50($5)

- 100 shares of XYZ (LEAPS) stock

- Strike Price $50 (ATM), expiring in 360 days

- Premium Cost of $5

4) Trader pays nothing to enter the market, as the funds received from selling the call cover the amount paid for the put [($500 (received from the call) - $500 (paid for the put)]

Total Investment cost in 2006: $5000 [100 (shares) x $50 (XYZ market price)]

 

Result one: XYZ hits $70 in July of 2007

a) The put option expires worthless (OTM).

b) The call option is ITM. The call buyer exercises his or her right to buy the writer's 100 shares at $60, and pays $6000 to the trader.

c) The trader makes a total profit of $1000 after subtracting the total investment cost from the profit made on the call. [$1000 = $6000 (profit from call) - $5000 (cost of investment)]

 

Result two: XYZ hits $40 in July of 2007

a) The call option expires worthless (OTM).

b) The put option is ITM. The trader exercises his or her right to sell 100 shares at $50 and receives $5000 his or her shares.

c) The trader loses nothing, since the amount received from the put equals the total cost of investment. [$0 = $5000 (received from put) - $5000 (cost of investment)]

 

Result three: XYZ hits $50 in July of 2007

a) The put option expires worthless (OTM).

b) The call option expires worthless (ATM).

c) The trader loses nothing, since both options expire worthless and keeps his or her 100 shares.

 

Advantage and Disadvantage of Implementing a Costless Collar (Zero-Cost Collar) Strategy:

 

Pluses: The upside to this type of strategy is that the investor will always make a limited profit in a bull market. Another advantage in using the costless collar (zero-cost Collar) is that the trader fully protects their long positions at little to no cost, due to the offsetting premiums paid and received.

 

Minuses: The downside in using a covered combination strategy is that the method limits an investor's profits. If the underlying asset's market value explodes, the trader would only receive what he or she gains from the call option.

costless-collar.gif.db436c69204e55ed711714cd6cd33dfd.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Igor,

It this can be done in real trading, then there is some mispricing of options, it appears, see my math. How can one safely make 20% ($1000 on 5$000) without considering trading and tax costs. How is this possible?

 

Take this example (pricing using black scholes model)

S=50, volatility =40%, time = 1 yr, risk free rate =3%

Strike 60, call is $ 5.05 and put is $13.3 (your example call = 5.0 so close enough)

Strike 50 , call is $8.56 and put is $7.1 (your example put is only $5.0)

 

so,there is a $2 difference between the sold call and bought put. Paid $7.0 for put can received only $5 for sold call. This $2 is potential loss in this scenario.

Upside is $10 (investment $50), downside $2 (investment $50). So it does look like a costless collar. Or did I miss something, please clarify.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Similar Content

    • By Lwayne11
      I had a bad experience in trading. I did lost $17,350 in total and i when i try to cash out one story or the other keep coming up to me at every giving point of time so i give up on them.after several weeks i came across this agency,expert recovery that help me get back about 75 percent of my lost funds. I learnt thee is a class action court proceeding to sue scam binary companies but I believe that takes more time and money paid to lawyers is way expensive. You can talk to a recovery expert.
      Reach Asherellazar at protonmail dot com
    • By DHARMIL
      SELL BANKNIFTY F&O - ₹2300
      SELL NIFTY F&O - ₹2700
      SELL STOCKS F&O - ₹5000
      Contact : 9173302081
    • By Ninjatrader_Staff
      Here is a quick educational video we created on Options on Futures.
       
    • By Ninjatrader_Staff
      Options on futures are now available to trade through NinjaTrader Brokerage! This expansion allows options traders to save on their trades with NinjaTrader’s deep discount commissions and benefit from industry-leading support.
      Why Trade Options on Futures with NinjaTrader Brokerage?
      ·  Discount Pricing: Save on trades with simple low rates
      ·  Span Margins: Real-time portfolio margining
      ·  Low Minimum: Open your account with only $1000
      In addition to the FREE NinjaTrader platform included with all brokerage accounts, traders will also have access to the CQG Desktop web-based platform to trade options on futures.
      ·  Current Clients: Contact Brokerage Support to start trading options on futures
      ·  New Clients: Open Your Brokerage Account
      Let Us Know How We Can Help
      Contact our brokerage team at 312.262.1289 to discuss how NinjaTrader’s solutions can be customized for both new & experienced traders.

      Futures, foreign currency and options trading contains substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing ones financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. View Full Risk Disclosure.
    • By fuqs
      Let's assume I was able to imply dividends from liquid options for the next 3 years, but I want to price an option expiring in the 4rd year from now. How would practitioners normally extrapolate implied dividends? From what i've observed there is a significant risk premium in implied dividends far out (implied divs are sold at discount). Actually the dividend term structure is declining. Therefore probably it makes more sense to extrapolate implied dividend rather than historical growth
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • In Italy, I saw many of our brothers from different parts of Africa, sleeping and living in the park, the weather was very cold and its obvious that they were looked down upon. It made me want to cry and several questions overwhelmed my heart.   Is it not better to remain in Africa than to be homeless in this freezing cold weather?   I wish I have all the money in the world to rescue them...   Is this the reason why our skin color is looked down upon?   Do our government officials see this sight when they also travel outside of the country...does it hurt them or pain them like it pained me? By Frank Abah, Quora   Profits from free accurate cryptos signals: https://www.predictmag.com/   
    • ELV Elevance Health stock, watch for an upside gap breakout at https://stockconsultant.com/?ELV
    • ORLY OReilly Automotive stock, nice top of range breakout, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?ORLY
    • Date: 28th March 2025.   Market Selloff Deepens as Tariff Concerns Weigh on Investors     Global stock markets extended their losing streak for a third day as concerns over looming US tariffs and an escalating trade war dampened investor sentiment. The flight to safety saw gold prices surge to a record high, underscoring growing risk aversion. Stock Selloff Intensifies The MSCI World Index recorded its longest losing streak in a month, while Asian equities saw their sharpest decline since late February. US and European stock futures also signalled potential weakness, while cryptocurrency markets retreated and bond yields edged lower. Investors are scaling back their exposure ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected announcement of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on April 2. His latest move to impose a 25% levy on all foreign-made automobiles has sparked fresh concerns over inflation and economic growth, prompting traders to reassess their strategies. Investor Strategies Shift Market experts are adjusting their portfolios in anticipation of heightened volatility. ‘It’s impossible to predict Trump’s next move,’ said Xin-Yao Ng of Aberdeen Investments. ‘Our focus is on companies that are less vulnerable to tariff policies while taking advantage of market dips to find value opportunities.’ Yield Curve Signals Economic Concerns In the bond market, the spread between 30-year and 5-year US Treasury yields widened to its highest level since early 2022. Investors are bracing for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts if economic growth slows further. Long-term Treasury yields hit a one-month peak as inflation risks tied to tariffs spurred demand for higher-yielding assets. Boston Fed President Susan Collins noted that while tariffs may contribute to short-term price increases, their long-term effects remain uncertain. Gold Hits Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Rises Amid market turbulence, gold prices soared 0.7% on Friday, reaching an all-time high of $3,077.60 per ounce. Major banks have raised their price targets for the precious metal, with Goldman Sachs now forecasting gold to hit $3,300 per ounce by year-end. Looking Ahead As investors digest economic data showing US growth acceleration in Q4, attention will turn to Friday’s release of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure. This data will be critical in shaping expectations for future Fed policy moves. With markets on edge and trade tensions escalating, investors will closely monitor upcoming developments, particularly Trump’s tariff announcement next week, which could further dictate market direction.   Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.   Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.   Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar.   Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!   Click HERE to READ more Market news.   Andria Pichidi HFMarkets   Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
    • Crypto hype is everywhere since it also making new riches as well, i however trade crypto little as compared to other forex trading pairs.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.