Covered put
A put option position in which the option writer also is short the corresponding stock or has deposited, in a cash account, cash or cash equivalents equal to the exercise price of the option. This limits the option writer's risk because money or stock is already set aside. In the event that the holder of the put option decides to exercise the option, the writer's risk is more limited than it would be on an uncovered or naked put option.
Copyright © 2004, Campbell R. Harvey. All Rights Reserved.
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Covered Put
A situation in which an investor writes a put while holding an equal and opposite position on the underlying asset. That is, an investor has a covered put when he/she writes a put and has enough cash to cover the strike if the put is exercised, or if he/she has short sold the put. It is thought that utilizing covered puts (and covered options generally) is a beneficial tactic because the investor may profit from the option premium if the option is not exercised and is less likely to suffer a loss if the option is exercised.
Farlex Financial Dictionary. © 2009 Farlex, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Uncovered put
A short put option position in which the writer does not have a corresponding short stock position or has not deposited, in a cash account, cash or cash equivalents equal to the exercise value of the put. The writer has pledged to buy the asset at a certain price if the buyer of the option chooses to exercise it. Uncovered put options limit the writer's risk to the value of the stock (adjusted for premium received.) Also called "naked" puts.
Copyright © 2004, Campbell R. Harvey. All Rights Reserved.
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Uncovered Put
A put option one writes without having the cash available to purchase the underlying asset should the put be exercised. When one writes a put option, one sells a contract giving the buyer the right to sell the underlying asset to the writer at a given strike price. That is, should the holder of the put exercise the option, the writer must buy the underlying asset. One writes an uncovered put option generally if one does not expect the option to be exercised and wishes to simply collect the fee from selling the put. If the option is exercised, the writer must sell other securities or somehow find the cash to buy the underlying asset.
Farlex Financial Dictionary. © 2009 Farlex, Inc. All Rights Reserved