On 17 October 2024, Euronext organised the second edition of ‘Women in Trading’, an event bringing together women from the finance sector to provide them with insights into industry trends, business lead opportunities from the sell-side and the buy-side communities and a place to foster sharing, learning and networking opportunities.

Over 80 participants attended the evening event at the Fondation Simone et Cino Del Duca in Paris. 

Stéphane Boujnah, CEO of Euronext & Chairman of the Managing Board kicked off this second edition. 

Charlotte Alliot, Group Head of Institutional Derivatives took the stage next, followed by two special guest speakers: Patrizia Bussoli, Economist, Founder and Partner of Bea Finance SCF and Emmanuelle Assouan, Director General of Financial Stability & Operations at the Banque de France and Chair of the Banque de France's Climate Change Center. 

They discussed macroeconomic trends in changing political contexts, the challenges of financial stability, and what needs to be done to further close the gap in women's representation in finance.

Throwback to the second edition of Euronext Women in Trading

Interview of Delphine d'Amarzit

Interview of Charlotte Alliot

Interview of Emmanuelle Assouan

Interview of Patrizia Bussoli

Look back to the first edition of Euronext Women in Trading

The previous edition was organised in partnership with Equileap, the leading data provider for gender equality and diversity & inclusion. Together with Equileap, Euronext launched the Euronext^® Equileap Gender Equality Indices.

Discover the first Euronext Women in Trading

Options strategies – short put
Benefits, risks and examples of a short put option.

The short put option strategy can generate income in stable or rising markets. This article explores the fundamentals of the short put option strategy, including its mechanics, benefits, risks, and practical implementation.

What is a put option?

A put option is a financial contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset at a predetermined price (the strike price) within a set period. The buyer of the put option pays a premium to the seller (writer) for this right. 

In return the seller of the option has the obligation to buy, upon the request of the buyer, a specified quantity of an underlying asset at a predetermined price (the strike price). This strategy is known as a short put option. 

Both buyers and sellers of put options can terminate either their right or obligation by a reverse (closing) transaction.

Understanding the short put option strategy

A short put option strategy involves selling (writing) put options with the expectation that the underlying asset’s price will either remain stable or increase. This bullish to neutral strategy allows the investor to profit from the premium received for selling the put option. If the option expires worthless, the seller keeps the entire premium.

Key components of a short put option

1. Premium
   The price received by the seller for writing the option.
2. Strike price
   The predetermined price at which the buyer can sell the underlying asset.
3. Expiry date
   The date by which the option must be exercised or will expire worthless.

Advantages of the short put option strategy

1. Income generation
   The primary benefit of selling put options is the immediate income received from the premium. This can provide a steady stream of income if executed regularly and successfully.
2. High probability of success
   In stable or rising markets, many short put options expire worthless, allowing the seller to keep the premium. This can result in a high probability of success.
3. Flexibility
   The strategy can be tailored by choosing different strike prices and expiry dates, allowing the seller to adjust their risk and reward profile.
4. Stock acquisition
   If the option is exercised, the seller acquires the stock at the strike price, which may be desirable if the stock is undervalued.

Risks of the short put option strategy

1. Substantial risk
   The most significant risk is the potential for substantial losses if the underlying asset’s price falls significantly below the strike price. This makes risk management crucial.
2. Margin requirements
   Selling put options typically requires a margin account, and the margin requirements can be substantial, especially if the stock price moves against the position.
3. Opportunity cost
   If the underlying asset appreciates significantly, the seller misses out on potential gains and faces losses if they are obligated to purchase the stock.

Example of a short put option

Suppose you believe Company XYZ’s stock, currently trading at €50, will not fall below €45 over the next three months. You decide to sell a put option with a strike price of €45 expiring in three months. You receive a premium of €2 per share (options typically represent 100 shares, so the total premium received would be €200).

Profit and loss potential of a short put option

• Maximum profit
  The maximum profit is limited to the premium received. In this example, the most you can make is €200 if the stock remains above €45 until expiry.
• Breakeven point
  The breakeven point occurs when the stock price equals the strike price minus the premium received. In this case, the breakeven price would be €43 (€45 strike price – €2 premium).
• Potential loss
  If the stock price falls significantly below the strike price, the potential loss can be substantial. For example, if XYZ’s stock drops to €30, the loss would be (€45 – €30 – €2) x 100 = €1,300. As the stock price would not drop below €0 the loss is maxed at €4,300. 

Implementing the short put option strategy

1. Market analysis
   Conduct thorough market analysis to identify stocks or assets expected to remain stable or appreciate in value. This can involve technical analysis, fundamental analysis, or both.
2. Select the strike price and expiry date
   Choose a strike price that reflects your market outlook and an expiry date that aligns with your expectations for the stock’s movement.
3. Monitor the position
   Regularly review the position and market conditions. Be prepared to take action if the underlying asset’s price moves significantly.
4. Exiting the position
   Have a clear plan for exiting the position. This can involve buying back the put option to close the position if the stock price falls or letting the option expire if the price remains above the strike price.

Short put vs. other strategies

The short put option strategy is often compared to other strategies like covered puts, short calls, and long put options.

Versus covered puts
A covered put involves selling put options while shorting the underlying stock, which can limit the risk compared to a naked short put. However, it also requires a more significant capital outlay and carries its own risks.

Versus short calls
A short call profits from neutral to declining prices and carries unlimited risk if the stock price rises. In contrast, a short put profits from stable or rising prices and has limited risk (albeit potentially substantial).

Versus long put options
A long put benefits from price declines and has limited risk (the premium paid), while a short put profits from price stability or increases but carries substantial risk if the price falls significantly.

Practical tips to increase the possibility for success

• Risk management
  Given the substantial risk, it’s crucial to have robust risk management strategies in place. This can include setting stop-loss orders, using options spreads, or limiting the size of positions.
• Use technical indicators
  Indicators such as moving averages, support levels, and volatility indices can help identify potential entry points and manage positions.
• Stay informed
  Keep abreast of market news, earnings reports, and other factors that can influence the underlying asset’s price.
• Diversify
  Spread your positions across different assets to mitigate the impact of adverse price movements in any single asset.
• Regular review
  Continuously monitor and adjust your positions based on market conditions and new information.

The short put option strategy can be a powerful tool for generating income in stable or rising markets. However, it carries substantial risks, especially if the price of the underlying asset falls significantly. By understanding the mechanics, benefits, and risks, and by implementing this strategy with careful market analysis and robust risk management, investors can potentially achieve consistent returns. As with any investment strategy, thorough research and prudent decision-making are essential for success in options trading.

Investing in the financial markets requires a deep understanding of various strategies to maximise returns while managing risk. Please consult your bank or broker for advice or read the Key Information Document for the financial instrument you are considering investing in to get a better understanding of all risks and costs involved.

See also

• What is a long call option?
• What is a short call option?
• What is a long put option?
• Options investing e-learning - positions