Options Academy
Bear Spreads 104: Management & Risks
Credit spreads have a unique danger: Early Assignment. Learn how to protect yourself when your short leg gets threatened.
The Assignment Trap
In a Bull Spread, early assignment is rare because the short call is OTM. In a Bear Spread, if you are wrong (stock rises), your short call goes Deep ITM.
If your short call loses its Time Value (trades at parity), you are at high risk of assignment.
Dividend Risk: If an ex-dividend date is approaching and your call is ITM, you are almost guaranteed to be assigned early so the buyer can collect the dividend.
Defensive Tactics
1. Close Early: If the spread has reached max loss or near it, just close it. Don't hold a "max loser" hoping for a miracle turnover.
2. Watch Time Value: If the time value on your short option drops below $0.10, close the position immediately to avoid assignment fees.
3. Roll Up: You can buy back the spread (taking a loss) and sell a new spread at a higher strike. This is "rolling for a credit" but increases risk.
Key takeaways
- Bear Call Spreads face Early Assignment risk if the stock rises significantly.
- Watch out for Ex-Dividend dates.
- Close positions when time value disappears to avoid the mess of physical assignment.
- This concludes the Bear Spread Masterclass.
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Bear Spread Masterclass
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