I'll offer a variation on the theme. There is no edge implied in any strategy, but this will exceed the performance of the CC strategy under 1 sigma. Find a stock you'd like to own and sell the 30 delta calls x 2. Cover the position or buy wing-strikes should the shares hit neutrality:
GS 214.20 L
GS July 220C $4.00a
Buy 100 GS at 214.20
Sell 2 GS July 220C at $4.00 [$800 credit]
You're short the July 220 straddle synthetically at a $13.80. Your discounted cost-basis on the shares is $4.00 better than the CC, under the strike:
CC cost basis: $210.20
Synthetic cost basis: $206.20
There is no free lunch -- the risk is symmetrical to the written-strike. $215 is the same as $225 on shares. There is some pre-exp drift due to the forward-spot, but that's eons beyond this thread. The synthetic will outperform the CC under all trials within one sigma. A basket of straddles will outperform a CC basket under all but a runaway bull market. This straddle methodology is bullish to the written strike, above which you witness a switch in modality.
You have many hedge/offset options should spot = strike. You can buy the outside wings to effect a [likely] risk-free fly; you can offset the entire position at typically a better-mark than the CC; you can hold through expiration as you're at best-case PnL, etc...
I chose to define the synthetic / the natural straddle to maintain continuity with your preference for buy/writes.
Good luck.
GS 214.20 L
GS July 220C $4.00a
Buy 100 GS at 214.20
Sell 2 GS July 220C at $4.00 [$800 credit]
You're short the July 220 straddle synthetically at a $13.80. Your discounted cost-basis on the shares is $4.00 better than the CC, under the strike:
CC cost basis: $210.20
Synthetic cost basis: $206.20
There is no free lunch -- the risk is symmetrical to the written-strike. $215 is the same as $225 on shares. There is some pre-exp drift due to the forward-spot, but that's eons beyond this thread. The synthetic will outperform the CC under all trials within one sigma. A basket of straddles will outperform a CC basket under all but a runaway bull market. This straddle methodology is bullish to the written strike, above which you witness a switch in modality.
You have many hedge/offset options should spot = strike. You can buy the outside wings to effect a [likely] risk-free fly; you can offset the entire position at typically a better-mark than the CC; you can hold through expiration as you're at best-case PnL, etc...
I chose to define the synthetic / the natural straddle to maintain continuity with your preference for buy/writes.
Good luck.
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