Traders.com

Could you explain how a calendar is priced when the purchase of additional back-month contracts is involved? I understand how the bid/ask are quoted for a regular 1-to-1 spread, but I’m confused by this type of market’s pricing when there’s a ratio between the purchased and sold contracts.

It sounds as though you’re at odds with the pricing of this more complex spread market, which is understandable given it deviates from the normal pricing we’re used to seeing. We also think once you know the mechanics behind this type of packaged spread, you’ll agree it makes sense. Let’s break down this process by first beginning with a normal calendar market for a trader wishing to execute five spreads off the quoted markets shown below:

July 20 call:	 $0.80 B // $0.90 A
August 20 call:	 $1.10 B // $1.20 A

Splitting both individual markets, the trader is presented with a midmarket spread value of $0.30 using $1.15 for the August contract and $0.85 for July. The two-sided quoted market is $0.20 bid, if you wanted to sell the calendar. At the same time, it’s offered at $0.40 if you wanted to get long the spread by taking the offer and hitting the bid. Remember, though, these prices are per contract. Thus, while you might wish to pay a midmarket price of $0.30, since you’re looking to buy five calendars, if executed, the associated debit is $150.

Easy, right? Now, let’s say the trader wishes to mix it up as you’ve presented and put together a ratio calendar where fewer short contracts are sold. The trader likes the idea of collecting some premium in the event the stock winds up sitting near the 20 strike but wants to maintain upside potential in case a quicker than expected upswing occurs.

Say the trader decides to purchase five August 20 calls but will now only sell four of the July 20 calls. Net, net the trader is long one call contract. This will benefit the trader if XYZ were to move up, but at the same time, the four short contracts will reduce the net debit and benefit the position if shares remain near the strike.

Once he or she is ready to execute this position, the trader puts in the contract amounts of +5 and -4 into the order entry platform at their online brokerage. Lo and behold, the following market greets the trader: $1.90 B // $2.80 A. The ratio calendar spread is priced to reflect the dollar cost of the four straight calendars plus the cost of one additional August 20 call.

Here’s how it works. Again, using our midmarket prices of $1.15 and $0.85, the trader has four straight calendar spreads priced for $0.30 per contract. That translates into a grand total of $1.20, as the cost would be a debit of $120. At that point, the trader adds the extra fifth contract priced (still) at $1.15 to the straight calendar price of $1.20. The combined sum gives the trader a price of $2.35 or $235, which happens to be in the middle of our not-so-odd looking quoted market.

To read the entire issue click here and subscribe today!