What is a Call Option?
A call option is a bullish financial derivative that gives you the right to buy 100 shares of a stock at a specific price (strike price) before or on the expiration date. You pay a premium for this right, but you're not obligated to exercise it if the trade doesn't work in your favor.
Call options profit when the underlying stock price rises above the strike price plus the premium paid. They offer leveraged exposure to stock movements, allowing you to control more shares with less capital.
How Call Options Work
Basic Example
Scenario: AAPL Call Option
- Current AAPL Price: $150
- Strike Price: $155 (out-of-the-money)
- Expiration: 30 days
- Premium: $2.00 per share ($200 total)
- Breakeven: $157 ($155 + $2)
If AAPL rises to $165
Option value: $10 ($165 - $155)
Profit: $8 per share ($800 total)
Return: 400% on premium paid
If AAPL stays at $150
Option expires worthless
Loss: $2 per share ($200 total)
Return: -100% of premium paid
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Call Option Strategies
Long Call (Basic Strategy)
The simplest bullish options strategy - buying a call option outright.
Best Used When:
- • Expecting significant upward price movement
- • Want leveraged exposure with limited risk
- • Have strong conviction but limited capital
- • Volatility is relatively low (cheaper premiums)
Covered Call Strategy
Owning 100 shares of stock and selling a call option against it for income.
Strategy Details:
- • Generate income from stock holdings
- • Reduce cost basis of stock position
- • Cap upside potential at strike price
- • Best in neutral to slightly bullish markets
Call Spread Strategy
Buying and selling calls with different strikes to reduce cost and cap profits.
Bull Call Spread:
- • Buy lower strike call, sell higher strike call
- • Reduces premium cost but limits profit
- • Profits from moderate price increases
- • Lower risk than naked long calls
Understanding the Greeks
Delta (Δ)
Measures how much the option price changes per $1 move in the underlying stock.
- • Range: 0 to 1.0 for calls
- • Higher delta = more sensitive to stock price
- • At-the-money calls ≈ 0.50 delta
- • In-the-money calls have higher delta
Gamma (Γ)
Measures the rate of change in delta as the stock price moves.
- • Highest for at-the-money options
- • Increases as expiration approaches
- • Important for delta hedging
- • Can accelerate profits/losses
Theta (Θ)
Measures time decay - how much option value decreases each day.
- • Always negative for long calls
- • Accelerates closer to expiration
- • Enemy of call buyers
- • Higher for at-the-money options
Vega (ν)
Measures sensitivity to changes in implied volatility.
- • Long calls benefit from rising IV
- • Highest for at-the-money options
- • Decreases as expiration approaches
- • Important during earnings/events
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Choosing the Right Strike Price
In-The-Money (ITM) Calls
Strike price below current stock price. More expensive but higher probability of profit.
Advantages
- • Higher delta (more sensitive)
- • Higher probability of profit
- • Already has intrinsic value
- • Less time decay impact
Disadvantages
- • Higher premium cost
- • Lower leverage
- • Smaller percentage gains
- • Requires more capital
At-The-Money (ATM) Calls
Strike price near current stock price. Balanced risk/reward profile.
- • Moderate premium cost
- • Delta around 0.50
- • Good balance of leverage and probability
- • Most liquid options typically
Out-Of-The-Money (OTM) Calls
Strike price above current stock price. Cheaper but lower probability of profit.
Advantages
- • Low premium cost
- • High leverage potential
- • Large percentage gains possible
- • Requires less capital
Disadvantages
- • Lower probability of profit
- • High time decay
- • Can expire worthless
- • Requires larger stock moves
Call Options Risk Management
Key Risk Factors
- • Time Decay: Options lose value daily, accelerating near expiration
- • Volatility Crush: IV can drop sharply after events like earnings
- • Total Loss Risk: Options can expire worthless, losing 100% of premium
- • Leverage Risk: Small stock moves create large option price swings
- • Liquidity Risk: Wide bid-ask spreads on illiquid options
Risk Management Rules
- • Never risk more than 1-2% of account on single option trade
- • Set profit targets (50-100% gains) and stick to them
- • Cut losses at 50% of premium paid or earlier
- • Avoid holding through earnings unless specifically trading volatility
- • Don't buy options expiring within 7 days unless day trading
Common Call Options Mistakes
Buying OTM Options Only
Attracted to cheap premiums but ignoring low probability of success.
Ignoring Time Decay
Not accounting for theta eating away option value daily.
No Exit Strategy
Failing to set profit targets and loss limits before entering.
Holding Until Expiration
Hoping for last-minute miracles instead of taking profits/losses.
Buying High IV Options
Purchasing expensive options right before volatility collapses.
Overposition Sizing
Risking too much capital on high-risk options trades.
Key Takeaways
- •Call options provide leveraged bullish exposure with limited risk to premium paid
- •Understanding the Greeks is crucial for successful options trading
- •Strike selection depends on your risk tolerance and market outlook
- •Time decay is the enemy - have a clear timeline and exit strategy
- •Never risk more than you can afford to lose completely