Cl,opter 4: Other Call Buying Strategies 125 
This is a relatively small percentage risk in a position that could have very large prof­
its. There is also very little chance that the entire maximum loss would ever be real­
ized since it occurs only at one specific stock price. One should not be deluded into 
thinking that this strategy is a sure money-maker. In general, stocks do not move very 
far in a 3- or 6-month period. With careful selection, though, one can often find sit­
uations in which the stock will be able to move far enough to reach the break-even 
points. Even when losses are taken, they are counterbalanced by the fact that signif­
icant gains can be realized when the stock moves by a great distance. 
It is obvious from the information above that profits are made if the stock moves 
far enough in either direction. In fact, one can determine exactly the prices beyond 
which the stock would have to move by expiration in order for profits to result. These 
prices are 34 and 46 in the foregoing example. The downside break-even point is 34 
and the upside break-:even point is 46. These break-even points can easily be com­
puted. First, the maximum risk is computed. Then the break-even points are deter­
mined. 
Maximum risk = Striking price + 2 x Call price - Stock price 
Upside break-even point = Striking price + Maximum risk 
Downside break-even point = Striking price - Maximum risk 
In the preceding example, the striking price was 40, the stock price was also 40, 
and the call price was 3. Thus, the maximum risk = 40 + 2 x 3 - 40 = 6. This con­
firms that the maximum risk in the position is 6 points, or $600. The upside break­
even point is then 40 + 6, or 46, and the downside break-even point is 40 - 6, or 34. 
These also agree with Table 4-2 and Figure 4-2. 
Before expiration, profits can be made even closer to the striking price, because 
there will be some time value premium left in the purchased calls. 
Example: IfXYZ moved to 45 in one month, each call might be worth 6. If this hap­
pened, the investor would have a 5-point loss on the stock, but would also have a 3-
point gain on each of the two options, for a net overall gain of 1 point, or $100. Before 
expiration, the break-even point is clearly somewhere below 46, because the position 
is at a profit at 45. 
Ideally, one would like to find relatively underpriced calls on a fairly volatile 
stock in order to implement this strategy most effectively. These situations, while not 
prevalent, can be found. Normally, call premiums quite accurately reflect the volatil­
ity of the underlying stock. Still, this strategy can be quite viable, because nearly 
every stock, regardless of its volatility, occasionally experiences a straight-line, fairly 
large move. It is during these times that the investor can profit from this strategy.