Long Call Option Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the potential profit, loss, and breakeven point for a long call option strategy. A long call strategy involves buying a call option, typically when you anticipate the underlying asset's price to rise significantly.
Results:
Breakeven Price:
Total Profit/Loss:
Understanding the Long Call Option Strategy
A long call option strategy is a bullish options strategy where an investor buys a call option, expecting the price of the underlying asset to increase significantly before the option's expiration date. This strategy offers unlimited profit potential if the underlying asset's price rises substantially, while limiting the maximum loss to the premium paid for the option.
Key Components:
- Strike Price: This is the price at which the option holder can buy the underlying asset. For a long call, you want the underlying price to go above this.
- Premium Paid per Share: This is the cost you pay to purchase the call option, expressed per share. Since one option contract typically represents 100 shares, the total premium paid for one contract would be this value multiplied by 100.
- Number of Contracts: The total number of option contracts you purchase. Each standard equity option contract controls 100 shares of the underlying stock.
- Underlying Price at Expiration: This is the price of the underlying asset when the option expires. This value is crucial for determining the option's intrinsic value and your overall profit or loss.
How it Works:
When you buy a call option, you gain the right, but not the obligation, to purchase 100 shares of the underlying stock at the specified strike price on or before the expiration date. You pay a premium for this right. If the stock price rises above the strike price plus the premium paid (your breakeven point), your option becomes profitable. If the stock price stays below the strike price, the option will likely expire worthless, and your maximum loss is limited to the premium you paid.
Calculations Explained:
- Breakeven Price: This is the point at which the underlying asset's price must reach for you to recover the premium paid.
Breakeven Price = Strike Price + Premium Paid per Share - Total Profit/Loss: This calculates your net gain or loss at expiration, considering the underlying price relative to your strike price and the premium paid.
If Underlying Price > Strike Price:Profit/Loss = (Underlying Price - Strike Price - Premium Paid per Share) * Number of Contracts * 100If Underlying Price <= Strike Price:Profit/Loss = - (Premium Paid per Share * Number of Contracts * 100)(This is your maximum loss)
Example Scenario:
Let's say you believe Company X's stock, currently trading at $95, will significantly increase. You decide to buy a call option with the following details:
- Strike Price: $100
- Premium Paid per Share: $5
- Number of Contracts: 1
Using the calculator:
- Breakeven Price: $100 (Strike) + $5 (Premium) = $105
- Scenario 1: Stock price at expiration is $110
Your option is "in the money."
Profit/Loss = ($110 – $100 – $5) * 1 * 100 = $5 * 100 = $500 Profit - Scenario 2: Stock price at expiration is $103
Your option is "in the money" but below breakeven.
Profit/Loss = ($103 – $100 – $5) * 1 * 100 = -$2 * 100 = -$200 Loss - Scenario 3: Stock price at expiration is $98
Your option expires "out of the money."
Profit/Loss = -($5 * 1 * 100) = -$500 Loss (Maximum Loss)
This calculator helps you quickly visualize these potential outcomes based on different underlying prices at expiration.