'Safe' shorting with protective calls?

[Ytilitalov]

This feels like a timely topic in 2021.

Say you short a stock and hedge with cheap OTM calls. Now in theory this a defined-risk trade, and with a PM account you shouldn't get margin called even if the stock goes up a silly amount.

How safe is it really, though?

"Clients holding short stock positions are at risk of having these positions bought-in and closed out by IBKR oftentimes with little or no advance notice." [1]

[1] Overview of Short Stock Buy-Ins & Close-Outs

What if you get bought in on a giant spike and are unable to exercise the options? What if you're away from the screen, or asleep at the time? Is there a sensible way to deal with the risk, apart from avoiding HTB names completely?

 

[zdreg]

Your job is to be on the job. Otherwise close your positions.

 

[jamesbp]

This feels like a timely topic in 2021.

Say you short a stock and hedge with cheap OTM calls. Now in theory this a defined-risk trade, and with a PM account you shouldn't get margin called even if the stock goes up a silly amount.

How safe is it really, though?

"Clients holding short stock positions are at risk of having these positions bought-in and closed out by IBKR oftentimes with little or no advance notice." [1]

[1] Overview of Short Stock Buy-Ins & Close-Outs

What if you get bought in on a giant spike and are unable to exercise the options? What if you're away from the screen, or asleep at the time? Is there a sensible way to deal with the risk, apart from avoiding HTB names completely?

Any Reason why you would want to short stock / buy OTM call when

Short Stock + Long OTM Call = Long ITM Put

 

[JamesJ]

Any Reason why you would want to short stock / buy OTM call when

Short Stock + Long OTM Call = Long ITM Put

Spreads are lower and liquidity better on those OTM calls than on the ITM puts.

I would expect you to be fine with Portfolio Margin even on a huge spike (like PHUN) but i would not bet on it.
Valuation might be off during such a halt squeeze frenzy resulting in unintended consequences, ie. liquidation of short stock.
Not sure how robust IBKRs algo is in such an extreme case.

 

[jamesbp]

Spreads are lower and liquidity better on those OTM calls than on the ITM puts.

I would expect you to be fine with Portfolio Margin even on a huge spike (like PHUN) but i would not bet on it.
Valuation might be off during such a halt squeeze frenzy resulting in unintended consequences, ie. liquidation of short stock.
Not sure how robust IBKRs algo is in such an extreme case.

But ITM Puts avoid exactly the risk you wanted to avoid though

""Clients holding short stock positions are at risk of having these positions bought-in and closed out by IBKR oftentimes with little or no advance notice." [1]

[1] Overview of Short Stock Buy-Ins & Close-Outs

What if you get bought in on a giant spike and are unable to exercise the options? What if you're away from the screen, or asleep at the time? Is there a sensible way to deal with the risk, apart from avoiding HTB names completely?"

 

[Ytilitalov]

Yes of course it's equivalent to an ITM put. But as JamesJ says, spreads are horrible on far ITM options, especially for the more interesting (less liquid) stocks. It gets very expensive if you trade in and out, or roll the position.