| Position Composition | Risk Profile @ Expiration |
Shown here, both contracts are ATM. They could both be OTM or ITM. | Long 1 back-month call, Short 1 front-month call
Both contracts have the same underlying and same strike price, but different expirations.
Time value of short front-month call will decay faster than time value of back-month call. | | Max Loss: Total cost of the spread, which is the cost of the long call minus the credit from the short call. E.g., $2.50 - $1.50 = $1.00 Max Gain: Depends on the value of the back-month call when the front-month option expires. |
| Greeks-at-a-Glance | P&L caused by movement in stock price | Movement away from strike generates losses; toward strike generates profits. | P&L corresponding to changes in implied volatility | Long calendar spreads benefit from rising IV. Falling IV is a detriment. | Time Decay C:RR ratio is explained in "Decision Making" | Positive C:RR unless time value of short leg is too minimal (due to being deep ITM, OTM or near expiry.) | |
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