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Strangle : A first attempt
Issued on March 01 2011 par Strategies Options
The same idea as for the straddle, but cheaper.
Straddle is an option strategy using call and put same strike same maturity.
Strangle is very close : it's a strategy using a call and a put, the same expiry but different strikes.
Usually, strikes are set for options to be out of the money.
I - Why the strangle
We saw that buying a call and a put provided a great exposition to large moves, no matter the choice of the direction.
That strategy is conversely very expensive.
In order to lower that cost, a simple way is to put each option away from the spot, that 's a strangle.
For a spot set to $100,
- The 1 year (vol 30%, rate 5%) 100 straddle is worth 14.23+9.35=23.58
- The 1 year (vol 30%, rate 5%) 90/110 strangle is worth 10.02+5.31=15.33
Quite a difference !
II - Graphs
Long strangle 90 / 110 (long 90 put + long 110 call), 1year, volatility 30%, interest rate set to 5%:

Short strangle 90 / 110 (short 90 put + short 110 call), 1 year expiry, volatility set to 30%, interest rate at 5%

■ It leads to a flatter curve for the p&l as for a straddle.
Next : Strangle
Previous : Straddle : The Vega υ
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BASIC OPTIONS STRATEGIES - INDEX
BASIC OPTIONS STRATEGIES - CHAPTER I
BASIC OPTIONS STRATEGIES - CHAPTER II
BASIC OPTIONS STRATEGIES - CHAPTER III
BASIC OPTIONS STRATEGIES - CHAPTER IV Strategies Options
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