CALL SPREADS

An appealing alternative is to buy a commodity call option spread sometimes referred to as a bull call spread. A bull call spread is constructed by simultaneously buying one call option and selling another call option similar to the first but having a higher strike price. The revenue received from the call sale will lower the net cost of the call option purchased thus making the overall trade more affordable.

In fact, a bull call spread can continue to be affordable even when implied volatilities are high and even when the maturity of the component options is lengthened, since it is the difference in price between the two component options that determines the cost.

Buying a bull call spread is often less risky than buying call options both because the cost and hence, maximum loss, is less and because a spread fluctuates only very little in value with movements in the price of the underlying commodity. As such, buying a bull call spread can be an ideal strategy for the beginner or indeed for anyone seeking to trade the commodity markets while limiting risk and exposure.

The maximum possible value of a bull call spread is fixed and calculated as the difference between the strike prices of the component options. This maximum value will be realized if the price of the underlying commodity is above the strike prices of the component options of the spread at option expiration. In this case, the trade will be automatically closed and removed from the account leaving the maximum value in cash. As the buyer or holder of the spread, you need not do anything.

Even though the maximum possible value is limited, a bull call spread can still produce excellent performance on a percentage basis. For example, in many commodity markets, it is possible to buy a bull call spread for say, $500 that has a maximum value of $1,000 generating a return of 100%.

The maximum loss is limited to the cost of the bull call spread plus brokerage commission and other trading fees. This maximum loss will be realized upon option expiration if the market price of the underlying commodity is below the strike prices of the spread. Each option will have zero value at expiration and will be removed from the trading account which closes the position. As the buyer or holder of the spread, you need not do anything.

Apart from their low risk and low cost, a bull call spread is also low maintenance. In many cases, the spread is purchased and held to expiration with no action required by the holder. In fact, management of a bull call spread is really only required if it appears that the price of the underlying commodity will settle between the strike prices of the two component call options at expiration. For more details, please see Option Position under the section, General Topics, on the home page.

Examples of buying calls and constructing call spreads across various commodity markets using actual prices can be found in the section, Option Examples, on the home page.