Options Strategies
Short Call Calendar Spread
Strategies Short Call Calendar Spread
Component Sell distant maturity call, buy nearby maturity call of the same strike price/level
Potential Profit Limited to net premium received
Maximum Loss
  • When the stock price/index level is at the strike price/level on the nearby expiry date
  • Limited to the time decay on the nearby call minus the time decay on the distant call
Time Value Impact Neutral
Remarks The features of Short Call Calendar Spread and Short Put Calendar Spread are quite similar. The major difference falls on the amount of net premium received, depending on the strike price/level of the contracts chosen. Margin may be required. The short position might be assigned at any time before expiry.
Example
  Net Position -1 Mar 200 Call +1 Jan 200 Call

Component Sell ABC Mar $200 Call, receive $30, and buy ABC Jan $200 Call, pay $20
Net Premium Receive $30-$20=$10
Profit when Stock price is further away from $200 on the nearby expiry date
Potential Profit $10
Potential Loss Time decay (Jan call) - time decay (Mar call)
Time Value Impact Negative

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