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L.1 · ADVANCED · 2 MIN

Vertical Spreads: Defined Risk Directional Bets

Vertical spreads are the workhorse of professional options trading — defined-risk directional bets that cost less than outright options and benefit from time decay.

Quiz · 5 questions ↓
§ 01
SpreadStructureMax ProfitMax LossBest When
Bull CallBuy lower call, sell higher callSpread width − net debitNet debit paidModerately bullish
Bear PutBuy higher put, sell lower putSpread width − net debitNet debit paidModerately bearish
Bull Put (credit)Sell higher put, buy lower putNet credit receivedSpread width − creditNeutral to bullish
Bear Call (credit)Sell lower call, buy higher callNet credit receivedSpread width − creditNeutral to bearish
§ 02
Bull Call Spread: Max Profit = (High Strike − Low Strike) − Net Debit
§ 03

Debit spreads (buy closer strike) pay upfront for a defined payoff. Credit spreads (sell closer strike) collect premium and hope the stock stays away from the sold strike. Both have defined max loss — unlike naked options.

§ 04
Price out a bull call spread on a stock you’re bullish on. Compare the cost to buying a single call. The spread costs less but caps your upside at the sold strike.
§ 05
You’re moderately bullish on a stock at $100. A $100/$110 bull call spread costs $4. What’s your breakeven?
§ 06

Spreads force you to define your thesis precisely: not just ‘I think it goes up’ but ‘I think it goes up to approximately this level in this timeframe.’ This discipline improves trading decisions.

Five questions · AI feedback

Sit with the ideas.

You buy a $50 call for $3.00 and sell a $55 call for $1.50 (bull call spread). What is the maximum profit, maximum loss, and breakeven price?

Why:
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