How to Use Synthetic Options in Trading

Synthetic options can be a valuable tool if you want to explore new possibilities among your options trading strategies. Synthetic options are a type of derivative that mimic the behavior of other financial instruments, such as stocks or options, without directly owning them. They can offer flexibility and alternative approaches to trading, enabling you to leverage your investment opportunities. 

This article will explore synthetic options, their different types, potential rewards and risks and how you can use them alongside other trading strategies. 

What Are Synthetic Options?

Synthetic options are financial instruments that replicate a specific option contract's payoff and risk characteristics by employing combinations of the underlying asset and various options. This goal is achieved through buying or selling the underlying asset and simultaneously buying or selling an option with differing strike prices or expiration dates. 

Creating a synthetic option adheres to the principle of put-call parity, which asserts that the value of a long call and a short put featuring the same strike price and expiration date, is equivalent to holding a long position in the underlying asset.

Synthetic options allow traders to potentially capitalize on various market scenarios and strategies, offering flexibility in portfolio management. By constructing synthetic positions, you can simulate the behavior of different securities and possibly benefit from their price movements, volatility or time decay. Synthetic options also provide a versatile approach to trading, enabling investors to navigate the market with increased precision and efficiency but they're not without risks. 

Traders could lose money in real-time if the market moves against a future position. They will also need a strategy to get out of a future position when trading these options as they may lose a potential opportunity to move from a declining synthetic position to a more profitable one. 

Different Types of Synthetic Options

Synthetic options come in various forms, each designed to replicate a specific trading position.

1. Synthetic Long Stock

A synthetic long stock position is created by buying an at-the-money call option and selling an equal number of at-the-money put options of the same underlying security with the same expiration date. This strategy aims to replicate the profit and loss characteristics of owning the underlying stock but with a lower initial cost and margin requirement. It allows traders to benefit from upside price movements but they will still be exposed to downside risk.

2. Synthetic Short Stock

Simulating the payoff of a short stock position, a synthetic short stock position is constructed by selling an at-the-money call option and purchasing an equal number of at-the-money put options of the same underlying stock and expiration date. This strategy mimics the profit and loss patterns of short-selling the underlying stock. It enables traders to profit from downward price movements though you are still subject to potential large losses on the upside.

3. Synthetic Long Call

A synthetic long call simulates the performance and profit potential of a long call. It involves buying the underlying stock and simultaneously purchasing a put option for every 100 shares of the purchased stock. This combination offers a low-risk strategy that limits your potential losses while your potential for profit remains uncapped if stock prices rise.

4. Synthetic Short Call

Conversely, a synthetic short-call position is created by selling the underlying stock and simultaneously selling a put option. This strategy generates profit when the stock price remains stagnant or declines. It is a bearish strategy that has unlimited risk and limited profit potential.

5. Synthetic Long Put

A synthetic long put mimics the payoff of a long put position. It is established by buying a call option and simultaneously short-selling the underlying asset. This strategy protects against downward price movements while allowing potential gains from the stock's appreciation. It is a defensive strategy often employed to hedge existing stock positions.

6. Synthetic Short Put

An inverse position to the synthetic long put, a synthetic short put is constructed by selling a call option and simultaneously buying the underlying stock. A bullish strategy, it has limited risk and unlimited profit upsides. This strategy aims to generate income through the premiums potentially from selling the call option while benefiting from a stable or rising stock price.

Potential Rewards of Synthetic Options

Synthetic options can leverage the underlying asset and options with varying strike prices and expiration dates to offer several potential advantages to traders.

• Customizability and flexibility: Investors can tailor the synthetic option to their needs and market expectations by combining different options and adjusting strike prices or expiration dates. This versatility allows for various strategies, including hedging positions, implementing complex trading strategies or creating bespoke risk and reward profiles.
• Enhanced risk management: By combining long calls and short puts with the same strike prices and expiration dates, investors can create positions that mimic the risk profile of another position. Synthetic options are helpful tools to fine-tune risk exposures based on your risk appetite and market outlook.
• Expanded trading opportunities: Because they blend different options and the underlying asset, synthetic options enable investors to create positions that are not readily available in the options market. This factor allows you to take advantage of unique market views, explore arbitrage opportunities or express more sophisticated trading strategies that may not be possible with standard options alone.
• Capital efficiency: By using the underlying asset with different options, investors can achieve similar payoffs and risk profiles while using less capital compared to direct options trading. This process can free up money for other investments or provide greater leverage in implementing trading strategies, potentially maximizing returns.

Risks of Synthetic Options

While synthetic options offer benefits, it's important to consider the associated risks:

• Increased complexity: Synthetic options are riskier than standard ones because of their complexity. They involve multiple underlying assets and options, making them difficult to understand and execute accurately. This factor increases the likelihood of mistakes and unintended consequences.
• Execution and liquidity risks: Synthetic options come with risks, such as difficulties in executing the strategy with larger positions and variations in liquidity of the underlying asset and options. These factors can lead to wider bid-ask spreads or limited availability of desired positions.
• Potential losses: Synthetic options carry risks like any other investment. Despite mimicking a specific option's payoff and risk profile, unforeseen events or market movements can lead to losses. 
• Regulatory and margin requirements: As an investor using synthetic options, remember to follow regulatory and margin requirements. Non-compliance may lead to expenses, limitations or legal consequences.
• Counterparty risk: In synthetic options trading done over the counter, there's a risk of counterparty default. This risk means investors may need help recovering their investments if a counterparty fails. It's crucial to assess the credit of all counterparties involved.

A World of Possibilities with Synthetic Options

By replicating the characteristics of various securities, synthetic options allow for flexibility, risk management and increased trading opportunities. However, it is vital to understand the risks involved and have a solid grasp of options trading strategies. With proper knowledge and skill, synthetic options can be used to work towards your investment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions