Tesla Options for Bears

Tesla's stock price demonstrated resilience by maintaining above the $160 level, despite weaker than expected delivery figures for the first quarter. This stability is likely due to anticipation of the company's unveiling event for its robotaxis scheduled for August 8 2024. Furthermore, 1Q earnings would be released in less than two weeks on 24 April.

Earnings per share (EPS) estimates have significantly decreased by 30% from $0.82 to $0.59. This decline matches the stock's year-to-date performance, which has greatly underperformed compared to Nvidia's 76% return. Consequently, the forward price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of this stock remains elevated at approximately 64 times, in stark contrast to Nvidia's more moderate PE ratio of 35 times.

Given the recent new events in Tesla, how can a trader or investor express their bearish views on Tesla using options to participate in the potential moves ahead?

Buying a put option

A long put is an options trading strategy where an investor or trader purchases a put option on a particular underlying security. This strategy provides the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to sell the underlying asset at a predetermined strike price within the timeframe leading up to the expiration of the option.

• A long put is a bearish strategy for expected declines in an asset's price.
• If the asset price falls below the strike, the trader can profit or sell the asset at the strike price.
• Risk is limited to the premium paid for the put option.
• The loss is the premium if the asset's price doesn't fall and the option expires worthless.
• Profit potential grows as the asset price falls below the strike price, minus the paid premium.
• The breakeven point is the strike price minus the premium paid for the option.

In summary, a long put is an attractive strategy for traders who have a bearish market outlook on a security and wish to take advantage of a potential decline in its price with limited risk and high leverage potential. However, it's important to manage this strategy actively, taking into account the effects of time decay and changes in volatility.

Example: Buying Tesla out of the money put option at strike of $150 (assuming Tesla is trading at $174 now)

Selling a call option

A short call is an options trading strategy where a trader or investor sells (or "writes") a call option without owning the equivalent amount of the underlying asset. This means the seller provides the buyer of the call option the right, but not the obligation, to buy a specified quantity of an underlying asset at a predetermined strike price within a specified time frame up to the option's expiration date.

• A short call is used with a bearish or neutral expectation on the underlying asset, profitable if the price stays below the strike price.
• Selling a call generates income through the premium, representing the seller's maximum profit.
• The risk of a short call is theoretically unlimited as losses increase if the asset's price rises above the strike price.
• Brokers typically require margin or collateral due to the unlimited risk associated with a short call.
• Short call sellers face assignment risk and may need to deliver shares to the option holder if the call is in-the-money.

In summary, a short call option strategy can be used to generate income if the trader believes that the price of the underlying asset will not increase. The trade-off is that, while the profit is limited to the premium received, the risk is theoretically unlimited should the underlying asset's price soar.

Example: Selling Tesla out of the money call option at strike of $200 (assuming Tesla is trading at $174 now)

Buying a bear put spread

A bear put spread is an options trading strategy that a trader can use when expecting a moderate decline in the price of the underlying asset. This spread strategy involves buying one put option with a higher strike price (which costs money) and simultaneously selling another put option with a lower strike price (which brings in money). Both put options typically have the same expiration date. Bear put spreads is a cheaper way for traders to bet on the decline of an asset’s price especially when your view is a moderate decline as opposed to a sharp one.

• The bear put spread strategy reflects a bearish outlook, anticipating a drop in the asset's price.
• It is a debit spread, resulting in a net expenditure from the trader's account.
• Maximum profit is limited to the difference between strike prices minus the net premium paid.
• Maximum risk is the net premium paid, incurred if the asset stays above the higher strike price at expiration.
• The breakeven point for the spread is the higher strike price minus the net premium paid.

Example: Tesla put option - Buying higher strike of $200 and selling lower strike of $150.

 

Buying a bear call spread

A bear call spread, also known as a short call spread, is an options trading strategy used when an investor anticipates that the price of the underlying asset will decline moderately or at least not increase significantly. This strategy involves selling a call option at a lower strike and simultaneously buying another call option at a higher strike with the same expiration date.

• The bear call spread is ideal for a moderately bearish or neutral outlook on an asset.
• It is a credit spread, granting the trader an initial net credit, which is the maximum potential profit.
• Maximum profit equals the net credit received if the underlying asset's price remains below the sold call's strike price at expiration.
• Maximum risk is bounded by the strike price difference minus the net credit.
• The breakeven point is the short call's strike price plus the net credit received; losses occur if the asset's price exceeds this at expiration.

The bear call spread limits potential gains in exchange for limiting the potential losses, making it a defined risk strategy. It allows traders to profit from time decay (theta) if the stock price remains below the breakeven point.

Example: Tesla call option - buying higher strike of $200 and selling lower strike of $150.

Options are complex, high-risk products and require knowledge, investment experience and, in many applications, high risk acceptance. We recommend that before you invest in options, you inform yourself well about the operation and risks. In Saxo Capital Markets' Terms of Use, you will find more information on this in the Important Information - Options, Futures, Margin and Deficit Procedure. You can also consult the Essential Information Document of the option you want to invest in on Saxo Capital Markets' website.

This article may or may not have been enriched with the support of advanced AI technology, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and/or other similar platforms. The initial setup, research and final proofing are done by the author.