Question 3

There is an option involved strategy named "Ratio call writing". It is the strategy when one owns a certain number of shares of the underlying stock and simultaneously sells calls against more shares than one owns. Therefore, there is a ratio of calls written to stock owned.

The most common ratio is the 2:1. For example a 2:1 ratio can be established by buying 100 shares of ABC at $49 per share and selling 200 ABC October 50 calls at $6.

(a). What is the profit/loss of the above "ratio call writing" strategy when stock price at October expiration is $37, $45 and $63, respectively?

(b). For the above strategy, what is the expected maximum profit and when can the maximum profit be achieved? What is the expected maximum loss and when are you likely to suffer the loss? Would the strategy break even at October expiration? At what range of stock prices, do you expect to make profit?

(c). The following is a common objection to the strategy "ratio call writing":"why bother buying 100 shares of stock and writing 200 calls? You will be naked writing 100 calls. Why not just sell 100 naked calls?" Do you agree with this objection that the above strategy is the same as "selling 100 naked calls"? Please justify your response.