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The calendar spread options strategy

The calendar spread options strategy is a market neutral strategy for seasoned options traders that expect different levels of volatility in the underlying stock at varying points in time, with limited risk in either direction. The goal is to profit from a neutral or directional stock price move to the strike price of the calendar spread with limited risk if the market goes in the other direction.

What is a calendar spread?

A calendar spread typically involves buying and selling the same type of option (calls or puts) for the same underlying security at the same strike price, but at different (albeit small differences in) expiration dates. This type of strategy is also known as a time or horizontal spread due to the differing maturity dates.

A typical long calendar spread involves buying a longer-term option and selling a shorter-term option that is of the same type and exercise price. For example, you might purchase a two-month 100 strike price call and sell a one-month 100 strike price call. This is a debit position, meaning you pay at the outset of the trade.

The goal of a calendar spread strategy is to take advantage of expected differences in volatility and time decay, while minimizing the impact of movements in the underlying security. The objective for a long call calendar spread is for the underlying stock to be at or near, nearest strike price at expiration and take advantage of near term time decay. Depending on where the stock is relative to the strike price when implemented the forecast can either be neutral, bullish or bearish.

Calendar spreads are for experienced, knowledgeable traders

In technical terms, the calendar spread provides the opportunity to trade horizontal volatility skew (different levels of volatility at two points in time) and take advantage of the accelerating rate of theta (time decay), while also limiting exposure to delta (the sensitivity of an option's price to the underlying asset). The horizontal skew is the difference of implied volatility levels between various expiration dates.

Calendar spread candidates

You can use some of the tools that are available on Fidelity.com to search for calendar spread opportunities. For example, if you select “IV 30 > HV 30” as the criterion, the scan will look for elevated IV levels relative to historical volatility (HV) levels. This specific screen may indicate that certain options are “expensive.”

One-year implied volatility chart

Source: Fidelity.com. Screenshot is for illustrative purposes only.

Profit/loss breakdown

The profit/loss diagram of a calendar spread shows that when the stock price increases, this type of trade suffers. Significant movement in either direction in a short period may be costly because of the way the higher gamma (the rate of change, or sensitivity, to a price change in the underlying security for delta) affects short-term contracts.

Another risk to this position is early assignment when selling shorter-term contracts (especially with calls), where the expiration date follows the ex-dividend date. If this is the case, the probability of assignment increases significantly. If assignment occurs prior to the ex-dividend date, the client will owe the dividend payment because the account is now short shares, unless shares of the underlying security are already held in the account.

Early assignment also changes the strategy from a calendar spread to a synthetic long put if you don’t already own shares, because you are short a stock and long a call, which is a very different outlook.

Managing a calendar spread

It is also advisable to check for ex-dividend dates, as it is very important to understand assignment risk—especially for call spreads. You can adjust the spread as necessary to maintain the long position, while adjusting the strike price of the short contract along the way to give more delta exposure.

When the short-term expiration date approaches, you will need to make a decision: Sell another front-month contract, close the whole strategy, or allow the long-term call or put to stay in place by itself.

Calendar spreads with Fidelity

A client needs at least a "tier 2" option approval to implement this strategy.

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Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.

There are additional costs associated with option strategies that call for multiple purchases and sales of options, such as spreads, straddles, and collars, as compared to a single option trade. Greeks are mathematical calculations used to determine the effect of various factors on options. Views and opinions expressed may not necessarily reflect those of Fidelity Investments. These comments should not be viewed as a recommendation for or against any particular security or trading strategy. Views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions.

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