Buy call x write a put - what's the difference?

Mhigasi said:

Hi everyone

I'm a newbie and don't really understand the difference between buy a call and buy a call and write a put... Any help must welcomed.

http://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/chap1_0131710664/elementLinks/01fig06.jpg

Thank you!

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Logique said:

Be careful.
Write a Put Option - limited gain, potentially unlimited losses

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malachii said:

Surely this can't be right. If I write a naked put I am guaranteeing that I will buy someone's stock at X price. Even if the price crashes to 0 then I can only lose the exercise price of the option less the credit received for writing the option.

eg - If I write a $10 put over XYZ company for 50 cents and then have to fulfill the option - then it would cost me $10 less 50 cents for a total loss of a maximum of $9.50 (this assumes I can't onsell the share for any amount).

Or am I missing something??

malachii

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