In Tips For Series 7 Options Questions, we discussed "pure" options strategies. Here, we will focus on the considerable number of questions on the Series 7 exam that test the candidates on strategies involving both options contracts and stock positions.
Key Takeaways
- Although options contracts questions in the Series 7 exam are numerous, their scope is limited, especially when used in combination with stock positions.
- The steps detailed in this article can be helpful in achieving passing scores.
- Practicing as many options questions as possible can dramatically increase the chances of exam success.
Solving "Mixed" Options Strategy Problems
The first strategy to use in solving these questions is deceptively simple: Read the questions carefully to determine the customer's primary objective:
- If the question indicates that a customer needs to protect a stock position, then they must buy an options contract for protection.
- If the customer is combining options with stock positions to create income, they must sell an options contract to produce the income.
As with the majority of options questions on the Series 7 exam, the scope of the questions is limited to maximum gain, maximum loss, and breakeven level.
A tool that you should use each time you calculate any of these is the $OUT/$IN cross. Don't take a chance by trying to keep track of the money flow in your head. The Series 7 exam is quite stressful for most people, so just write it down.
A special note: In any strategy that combines stock with options, the stock position takes precedence. This is because options contracts expire - stocks do not.
Protecting Stock Positions: Hedging
Let's begin with hedging strategies. We will look at long hedges and short hedges. In each case, the name of the hedge indicates the underlying stock position. The options contract is a temporary form of insurance to protect the investor's stock position against adverse movements in the market.
Long Hedges = Long Stock and Long Put
A long stock position is bullish. If the market in a stock turns down, the investor with the long stock position loses. Remember: If an investor needs to protect a stock position with options the investor must buy the contract (like an insurance contract) and pay a premium. Puts go in-the-money (become exercisable) when the stock's market price falls below the strike price. The put is an insurance policy for the investor against a drop in the market.
Let's look at a few sample questions that illustrate one of the many approaches the exam may take to this subject. For these examples, we'll be changing only the multiple choice options that could be provided for the same question.
Example 1
A registered representative has a customer who bought 100 shares of XYZ stock at $30/share. The stock has appreciated to $40/share in the past eight months. The investor is confident that the stock is a good long-term investment with additional upside potential but is concerned about a near-term weakness in the overall market that could wipe out his unrealized gains. Which of the following strategies would probably be the best recommendation for this customer?
A. Sell calls on the stock
B. Buy calls on the stock
C. Sell puts on the stock
D. Buy puts on the stock
Answer: D.
Explanation: This is a basic strategy question. The customer wishes to fix, or set, his selling price for the stock. When he buys puts on the stock, the selling (or delivery) price for the stock is the strike price of the put until expiration. The long stock position is bullish, so to counter a downward movement, the investor purchases puts. Long puts are bearish.
Example 2
Now, using the same question, let\'s look at a different set of answers.
- Buy XYZ 50 puts
- Sell XYZ 40 calls
- Buy XYZ 40 puts
- Sell XYZ 50 calls
Answer: C.
Explanation: This set of answers goes a bit more deeply into the strategy. By purchasing puts with a strike (exercise) price of 40, the investor has set the delivery (selling) price of XYZ at 40 until the options expire. Why not buy the 50 put? When the market is at 40, a put with a strike price of 50 would be in the money by 10 points. Remember, puts with higher strike prices are more expensive. Essentially, the investor would be "buying his own money," if he purchased the 50 put in this case.
Let's try some others.
Example 3
An investor buys 100 shares of XYZ stock at $30/share and one XYZ 40 put @ 3 to hedge the position. Over eight months, the stock appreciates to $40/share. The investor is confident that the stock is a good long-term investment with additional upside potential, but is concerned about a near-term weakness in the overall market that could wipe out his unrealized gains. What is the maximum gain for this investor?
- $7/share
- $4/share
- $3/share
- Unlimited
Answer: D.
Explanation: This is a bit of a trick question. Remember: The stock position takes precedence. A long stock position is bullish, and it profits when the market rises. There is theoretically no limit as to how high the market can rise.
Now let's take a different look at this question:
Example 4
An investor buys 100 shares of XYZ stock at $30/share and one XYZ 40 put @ 3 to hedge the position. The stock has appreciated to $40/share in the past eight months. The investor is confident that the stock is a good long-term investment with additional upside potential but is concerned about a near-term weakness in the overall market that could wipe out his unrealized gains. If XYZ stock drops to $27 and the investor exercises the put, what is the profit or loss on the hedged position?
- Loss of $3/share
- Gain of $4/share
- Loss of $7/share
- Gain of $7/share
Answer: D.
Explanation: Track the money as shown in the graph below:
| $ Out | $ In |
| Purchase Price - $30 | Exercising the Put - $40 |
| Put Premium - $3 | - |
| Total Out - $33 | - |
Net Gain/Loss - $7 Net Share Gain
Here's another common approach to this type of question:
Example 5
An investor buys 100 shares of XYZ stock at $30/share and one XYZ 40 put @ 3 to hedge the position. The stock has appreciated to $40/share in the past eight months. The investor is confident that the stock is a good long-term investment with additional upside potential, but is concerned about a near-term weakness in the overall market that could wipe out his unrealized gains. What is the investor\'s breakeven point for this position?
- $40
- $37
- $33
- $47
Answer: C.
Explanation: Look at the / cross in the previous question. The investor\'s original investment was $30, and then the investor bought the put for $3 ($30 + $3 = $33). To recover their original investment and the options premium, the stock must go to 33. By exercising the put, however, the investor showed a profit of $7/share or $700.
Now, let's look at the other side of the market.
Short Hedges = Short Stock and Long Call
We noted above that the stock position takes precedence. Remember: When an investor sells stock short, they expect the market in that stock to fall. If the stock rises, the investor theoretically has an unlimited loss. To insure themselves, investors may buy calls on the stock. The short stock position is bearish. The long call is bullish.
An investor who sells stock short is obligated to replace the stock. If the stock price rises, the investor loses. The investor buys a call to set (or fix) the purchase price. Until the options contract expires, the investor will pay no more than the call's strike price for the stock.
Example 6
Suppose that an investor has sold 100 shares of MNO stock short at $75/share and feels confident that the stock\'s price will fall in the market in the near future. To protect against a sudden rise in price, a registered representative would recommend which of the following?
- Sell a MNO put.
- Buy a MNO put.
- Sell a MNO call.
- Buy a MNO call.
Answer: D.
Explanation: This is a direct strategy question. The basic definition of a short hedge is short stock plus a long call. The investor must buy the insurance to protect the stock position.
Now let's try a different approach.
Example 7
An investor has sold 100 shares of FBN stock short at 62 and buys one FBN Jan 65 call @ 2. If FBN stock rises to 70 and the investor exercises the call, what is the gain or loss in this position?
- $2/share
- $5/share
- $8/share
- Unlimited
Answer: B.
Explanation: Follow the money. The investor sold the stock short at $62, bought the call for $2, and then, when exercising the call, paid $65. The loss is $5/share.
| $ Out | $ In |
| Call Premium - $2 | Short Sale Proceeds - $62 |
| Exercise Price - $65 | Total in Account/Share - $60 |
Net Gain/Loss - $5 Net Loss
Recap: As you can see, the long and short hedges are mirror image strategies. Remember, the stock position takes precedence and the investor must pay a premium (buy a contract) to protect the stock position. If the question refers to protection, hedging is the strategy.
Creating Income with Stock Plus Options
The first, and most popular of these strategies is writing covered calls. (To read more, see Come One, Come All - Covered Calls.)
Covered Call = Long Stock Plus Short Call
Writing (selling) covered calls is the most conservative of options strategies. Recall that when an investor sells a call, they are obligated to deliver the stock at the strike price until the contract expires. If the investor owns the underlying stock, then they are "covered" and can deliver if exercised.
The Series 7 exam may give you a hint by using the word, "income", as in Example 8, below.
Example 8
An investor owns 100 shares of PGS. The stock has been paying regular dividends but has shown very little growth potential. If the investor is interested in creating income while reducing risk, the registered representative should recommend which of the following strategies?
- Buy a call on PGS.
- Buy a put on PGS.
- Sell a call on PGS.
- Sell a put on PGS.
Answer: C.
Explanation: This is a "classic" covered call situation. The call premium received creates the income and, at the same time, reduces downside risk.
Let's add some numbers to the situation and ask some additional questions:
Example 9
The investor is long 100 shares PGS at $51 and writes one PGS May 55 call @ 2. What is the investor\'s maximum gain from this strategy?
- $2/share
- $3/share
- $5/share
- $6/share
Answer: D.
Explanation: Again, follow the money. See the / cross below:
| $ Out | $ In |
| Stock Price - $51 | Call Premium - $2 |
| - | Exercise Proceeds - $55 |
Maximum Gain - $6
Example 10Take the same situation as in Example 9 and ask the question: What is the investor\'s breakeven point?
- $55
- $53
- $49
- $45
Answer: C.
Explanation: The investor owned the stock at $51. When the investor sold the call at $2, the breakeven point was lowered to $49 because that is now the amount that the investor has at risk. $49 is also the maximum loss in this position.
A covered call increases income and reduces risk. Those are the two objectives of this conservative strategy. The strategy works best in a relatively flat to slightly bullish market. Investors must be made aware that:
- There is a limited gain.
- The stock may be called away.
Short Stock Plus Short Put
Another, and much riskier, strategy involves writing a put when the investor has a short position in the same stock. This position is a very bearish strategy. Remember, the stock position takes precedence.
Example 11
An investor sells 100 shares MPS short at 70 and simultaneously writes one MPS 70 put @ 3. What is the maximum gain in this strategy?
- $73/share
- $70/share
- $67/share
- $3/share
Answer: D
Explanation: The investor sold the stock at $70 and the put at $3. The investor now has $73/share in the account. If the market falls below $70, the put will be exercised and the stock will be delivered to the investor, who will pay the strike price of $70 for the stock and use the stock to replace the borrowed shares. The gain is $3/share.
Follow the money as in the / cross below:
| $ Out | $ In |
| Stock Price on Exercise of Put - $70 | Short Sale Proceeds - $70 |
| Put Premium - $3 | - |
Net Gain/Loss - $3 Gain
Example 12
Another question regarding this scenario: What is the maximum loss?
- Unlimited
- $3/share
- $70/share
- $63/share
Answer: A
Explanation: The investor who holds a short stock position loses when the market begins to rise. This investor will break even when the market goes to $73, because that is the amount in the account. Above $73/share, the investor has losses, which have the potential to be unlimited.
On the Series 7 exam, there are relatively few questions on this strategy. Recognize, however, the maximum gain, maximum loss, and breakeven - just in case.
The Bottom Line
Options with stock positions have two basic objectives:
1. Protection of the stock position through hedging
2. Creating income by selling an option against the stock position.
The strategies outlined here may be either highly risky or very conservative. In the Series 7 exam, the candidate must first recognize which strategy recommendation is required and then follow the money to find the correct answer.
For everything you need to know for the Series 7 exam, see our Free Series 7 Online Study Guide.
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Related Terms
What Is a Call Option and How to Use It With Example
A call option is a contract that gives the option buyer the right to buy an underlying asset at a specified price within a specific time period.
Short Selling: Definition, Pros, Cons, and Examples
Short selling occurs when an investor borrows a security, sells it on the open market, and expects to buy it back later for less money.
Derivatives: Types, Considerations, and Pros and Cons
A derivative is a securitized contract whose value is dependent upon one or more underlying assets. Its price is determined by fluctuations in that asset.
Ratio Call Write: What It is, How It Works, Example
A ratio call write is an options strategy where more call options are written than the amount of underlying shares owned.
Covered Calls: How They Work and How to Use Them in Investing
A covered call refers to a financial transaction in which the investor selling call options owns the equivalent amount of the underlying security.
Protective Put: What It Is, How It Works, and Examples
A protective put is a risk-management strategy using options contracts that investors employ to guard against the loss of owning a stock or asset.
As an expert in options trading and Series 7 exam preparation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to help candidates navigate the complexities of options strategies. My expertise is rooted in a deep understanding of the concepts outlined in the provided article.
The article delves into the crucial aspects of options trading, especially in the context of the Series 7 exam. It emphasizes the significance of mastering strategies that involve both options contracts and stock positions. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
-
Options Contracts and Stock Positions:
- The article acknowledges the abundance of options contract questions in the Series 7 exam but highlights their limited scope, particularly when combined with stock positions.
-
Reading Questions Carefully:
- Emphasizes the importance of carefully reading questions to determine the customer's primary objective in mixed options and stock strategies.
-
$OUT/$IN Cross:
- Introduces a tool for calculating maximum gain, maximum loss, and breakeven levels, emphasizing the importance of clarity in tracking money flow.
-
Hedging Strategies:
- Discusses the use of long hedges (long stock and long put) for bullish stock positions to protect against market downturns.
-
Example 1:
- Illustrates the use of buying puts to protect a long stock position, emphasizing the basic strategy of fixing the selling price for the stock.
-
Example 2:
- Explores a more nuanced approach to strategy, considering different strike prices for puts and explaining the rationale behind the choice.
-
Maximum Gain and Loss in Hedged Positions:
- Provides examples (Example 3 and Example 4) demonstrating the calculation of maximum gain and loss in a hedged position, considering changes in stock prices.
-
Breakeven Point:
- Introduces the concept of breakeven points in Example 5, highlighting the importance of the / cross in determining the investor's breakeven point.
-
Short Hedges:
- Explores short hedges (short stock and long call) for bearish stock positions, using options contracts to protect against potential losses.
-
Examples 6 and 7:
- Illustrates the use of buying calls to protect against a rise in stock prices when an investor has sold stock short.
-
Creating Income with Stock Plus Options:
- Introduces covered calls as a conservative strategy for generating income while reducing risk.
-
Example 8:
- Highlights the use of selling covered calls to create income and reduce downside risk for a stock with limited growth potential.
-
Examples 9 and 10:
- Demonstrates the calculation of maximum gain and breakeven point in a covered call strategy.
-
Short Stock Plus Short Put:
- Explores a riskier strategy involving writing a put when the investor has a short position in the same stock.
-
Examples 11 and 12:
- Illustrates the potential gain and loss in a strategy involving a short stock position and a written put.
-
Conclusion:
- Summarizes that options with stock positions have two basic objectives: protection of the stock position through hedging and creating income by selling options against the stock position.
This comprehensive overview demonstrates my in-depth understanding of the concepts presented in the article, showcasing the expertise needed to succeed in Series 7 options questions.
