What is Bear Put Spread Strategy?

Bear put spread is a derivatives strategy that is usually implemented when the market outlook is slightly bearish and expectations of moderate fall are there and involves buying a nearby strike put option or an in-the-money (ITM) put option and selling a far-off strike put option or an out-of-money (OTM) put option.

Bear put spread strategy provides reasonable gains if the underlying moves as expected by the trader or investor at the inception, however, if in case the underlying moves contrary to the expectations of the trader or investor the loss is limited to the net premium paid (difference of the premium paid on buying the nearby strike put option and premium received on selling the far-off strike put option).

Formula

Max(0,X2- ST)-Max(0,X1- ST) + P1- P2

Where,

X1= Far off strike price of put option sold
X2= Nearby strike price of put option purchased
ST= Closing price of underlying stock/index on expiry
P1= Premium received on selling the far off strike put option
P2= Premium paid on buying the nearby strike put option

Bear Put Spread Example

Let’s understand the concept in more detail by taking a real-life example.

Popular Course in this category

Credit Risk Modeling Course4.6 (319 ratings) 1 Course | 3+ Hours | Full Lifetime Access | Certificate of Completion

View Course

Klain International has a moderately Bearish outlook on the markets in Europe and decided to enter into a bear put spread on the NIFTY INDEX to benefit from the outlook on 01.11.2019.

The current nifty index spot level as on 01.11.2019 is 12000.
The current price of nifty 12000PE expiring on 27.11.2019 (monthly expiry) is $140
The current price of nifty 11800PE expiring on 27.11.2019 (monthly expiry) is $70
The lot size is 100 units.

This is entered by:

Buying one lot of nifty 12000PE for $140 (Total Cost= $140*100=$14000)
Selling one lot of nifty 11800PE for $70 (Total Cost= $70*100=$7000)
Net premium paid= $14000-$7000=$7000

Under this maximum loss to Klain International is limited to the net premium paid i.e $7000. The maximum profit under this spread is equivalent to $13000 (100*$130). Break-even point under the bear put spread is 11930 nifty index spot level

It reaches maximum profit when the underlying security reaches the far-off strike price put option which in our case was 11800. And below this level, the profit will not maximize. Similarly, profit will increase between the two strike prices i.e. 12000 and 11800, and maximum loss will be equivalent to the net premium paid.

Advantages

It is a low-cost limited risk options strategy that benefits when Market outlook is moderately bearish.
The strategy benefits even in small prices fall and doesn’t require a big fall to generate returns.

Disadvantages

It results in a small amount of profit only as the upside is capped due to the selling of an out of money put option.
It results in loss of the entire net premium if the underlying asset starts rising.
The spread strategy works only when the outlook is bearish.

Difference Between Bear Put Spread vs Bear Call Spread

Particulars	Bear Put Spread	Bear Call Spread
Definition	This involves buying a higher exercise price put or an In-the-money (ITM) put and selling a lower exercise price put or an out-of-money (OTM) put.	Bear call spread involves selling a call with a low exercise price or an In-the-money call and buying a call with a far-off exercise price or an out-of-money (OTM) Call.
Market/Underlying Outlook	Moderately Bearish	Moderately Bearish
Maximum loss	Maximum loss is equal to the net premium paid.	Maximum loss is equal to the spread minus net premium credited.
Inflow/Outflow of Premium	It results in net premium outflow at inception.	The bear call spread results in net premium inflow at inception.
Suitability	Bear put spread strategy makes more sense when the market has fallen substantially and volatility is favorable input writing and further fall seems moderate.	Bear call spread strategy makes more sense when markets increased substantially and volatility is favorable in call writing due to huge call premium and expectation are of market consolidating or falling marginally.

Important Points

Both the option purchased and sold should be of the same expiry.
Although the net premium amount paid is the maximum loss incurred in case the outlook fails; however, selling an option requires the keeping of a lot of margin and cost of funds of such margin needs to be accounted into while opting for such strategy.

Conclusion

Bear put strategy is frequently used by professional traders in a moderately bearish outlook to generate moderate gains. The strategy is a low-cost effective tool used even for hedging purposes as well. It is up to the trader/investor to determine the right strike prices and should take into consideration the implied volatility of the underlying to make better choices.

Bear Put Spread