Call option payoffs

Here you can see the same for put option payoff.

And here the same for short call position the inverse of long call. Buying a call option is the simplest of option trades.

Call Option Explained | Online Option Trading Guide

A call option gives you the right, but not obligation, to buy the underlying security at the given strike price. Below the strike, the payoff chart is constant and negative the trade is a loss. For example, if underlying price is Same as scenario 1 in fact.

Finally, this is the scenario which a call option holder is hoping for.

Options Pricing: Profit And Loss Diagrams

Because the option gives you the right to buy the underlying at strike price If you bought the option at 2. You can also see this in the payoff diagram where underlying price X-axis is Initial cash flow is constant — the same under all scenarios.

It is a product of three things:. Of course, with a long call position the initial cash flow is negative, as you are buying the options in the beginning. The second component of a call option payoff, cash flow at expiration, varies depending on underlying price.

That said, it is actually quite simple and you can construct it from the scenarios discussed above. If underlying price is below than or equal to strike price, the cash flow at expiration is always zero, as you just let the option expire and do nothing. If underlying price is above the strike price, you exercise the option and you can immediately sell it on the market at the current underlying price. Therefore the cash flow is the difference between underlying price and strike price, times number of shares.

Putting all the scenarios together, we can say that the cash flow at expiration is equal to the greater of:.

It is the same formula. The screenshot below illustrates call option payoff calculation in Excel.

Besides the MAX function, which is very simple, it is all basic arithmetics. One other thing you may want to calculate is the exact underlying price where your long call position starts to be profitable. Top of this page Home Tutorials Calculators About Contact.

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Macroption is not liable for any damages resulting from using the content. No financial, investment or trading advice is given at any time. We will look at: Call Option Payoff Diagram Buying a call option is the simplest of option trades.

The key variables are: Strike price 45 in the example above Initial price at which you have bought the option 2. Call Option Scenarios and Profit or Loss Three things can generally happen when you are long a call option.

Underlying price is higher than strike price Finally, this is the scenario which a call option holder is hoping for. Call Option Payoff Formula The total profit or loss from a long call trade is always a sum of two things: Initial cash flow Cash flow at expiration Initial cash flow Initial cash flow is constant — the same under all scenarios.

Option (finance) - Wikipedia

It is a product of three things: Cash flow at expiration The second component of a call option payoff, cash flow at expiration, varies depending on underlying price. Call Option Break-Even Point Calculation One other thing you may want to calculate is the exact underlying price where your long call position starts to be profitable. It is very simple.

Call Option Definition: Learn with Examples and Explanations

It is the sum of strike price and initial option price. Long Call Option Payoff Summary A long call option position is bullish, with limited risk and unlimited upside. Maximum possible loss is equal to initial cost of the option and applies for underlying price below than or equal to the strike price. With underlying price above the strike, the payoff rises in proportion with underlying price.

The position turns profitable at break-even underlying price equal to the sum of strike price and initial option price.