Hockey Stick Diagrams
Key insight: Option buyers (long) have limited risk (the premium paid) and
unlimited profit potential, while option sellers (short) have limited profit (the premium received)
and unlimited risk. These asymmetric payoffs are what give the diagrams their characteristic
"hockey-stick" shape.
So why would anyone sell options? Why not just always buy options? What do you think:)
Long Call
Buyer — limited risk, unlimited profitLong Put
Buyer — limited risk, unlimited profitShort Call
Seller — limited profit, unlimited riskShort Put
Seller — limited profit, unlimited riskNote: "Unlimited" is used loosely for puts — since the underlying price cannot fall below zero, a long put's maximum profit and a short put's maximum loss are both capped at the strike price.
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Portfolio Positions
| # | Type | Direction | Strike | Premium | Quantity |
|---|
Parity Graph (Intrinsic value at expiration)
P&L Graph (Profit & Loss at expiration)
Breakeven price(s):