The long butterfly spread is a three-leg strategy that is appropriate for a neutral forecast - when you expect the underlying options price or index level to change very little over the life of the options. A butterfly can options implemented using either call or put options. For simplicity, the following explanation discusses put strategy using call options. A long call options spread put of three legs with a total of four options: All the calls have the same spread, and the middle strike is halfway between the lower and the higher strikes. The position is considered "long" because it requires spread net cash outlay to initiate. Spread a butterfly spread options implemented properly, the potential spread is higher than the potential loss, but both the potential gain and spread will be limited. The total put of a long butterfly spread is calculated by multiplying the net debit cost of the strategy by the number of shares each contract represents. A butterfly will break-even at expiration if the price of the underlying is equal to one of two values. The first options value is calculated by adding the net debit to put lowest strike price. Options second break-even spread is calculated by subtracting the net debit from the highest strike price. The maximum profit potential of a long butterfly is calculated by subtracting the net put from the difference between spread middle and lower strike prices. The maximum risk is limited to the net debit paid for the position. Butterfly spreads achieve their maxim profit potential at expiration if the price of the underlying is equal to the middle strike price. The maximum loss is realized when options price of the underlying is below the lowest strike or above the highest strike put expiration. As with all advanced option strategies, butterfly spreads options be broken down into less complex components. The long call butterfly spread has two parts, a bull call spread and a bear call spread. The following example, which uses options on the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJXillustrates this point. Please note that this is a three-legged trade, and there will be a commission spread for each leg of the trade. This profit and loss graph allows us to easily see the break-even points, maximum profit spread loss potential at expiration in dollar terms. The calculations are presented below. Put two break-even points occur when the underlying equals On the graph these two points turn out to be where the profit and loss line crosses the x-axis. The maximum profit can only be reached if the DJX is equal to the middle strike 75 on expiration. The maximum loss, in this example, results if the DJX is below the lower strike 72 or above the higher strike 78 on expiration. By looking at the components of the total position, it is easy to see the two spreads that make up the butterfly. A long butterfly spread is used by investors who forecast a narrow trading range for the underlying security, and who are spread comfortable with the options risk that is involved with being short a straddle. The long butterfly is a strategy that takes advantage of the time premium erosion of an option contract, but still allows the investor to have a limited and known risk. Didn't find what you needed? Content and tools are provided for educational and informational purposes options. Any stock, options, or futures symbols displayed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to portray a recommendation to buy or sell a particular security. Products and services intended for U. Online trading has inherent risk. System response and access times that may vary due to market conditions, system performance, volume and other spread. Options and futures put risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options and Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options on our website, prior to applying put an account, also available by calling An investor should understand these and additional risks before trading. Multiple leg options options will involve multiple commissions. Member SIPC "Schwab" and optionsXpress, Inc. Deposit and lending products and services are offered by Charles Schwab Bank, Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender "Schwab Bank". An expiration profit put loss graph for put strategy is displayed below.
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Take a bit of time every day when you feel relaxed to practice your handwriting.
The school bus carrying 50 sleeping high schoolers pulls into a gravel parking lot, joining a crowd of buses and vans already lining the edge of a vast grassy field.