Long Call

Directional

Buy an OTM call for leveraged upside exposure with defined risk.

Risk Profile

Max Profit
Unlimited
Max Loss
Premium paid
Breakeven
Strike + Premium
Outlook
Bullish

Parameters

ParameterDefaultDescription
strike_pct1.05Strike as fraction of spot (5% OTM)
dte45Days to expiration at entry

Methodology

A long call purchases an out-of-the-money call option, providing leveraged exposure to upside moves with risk limited to the premium paid. The strategy profits when the underlying rises above the breakeven (strike + premium). It is a high-risk, high-reward directional bet suited to bullish outlooks with a defined loss. Backtested with 45 DTE cycles at a strike of 105% of spot. P&L is expressed as a percentage of premium paid.

Implementation

def run_long_call(S, K, T, r, sigma):
    """
    Long Call: buy OTM call for upside exposure.
    K: strike (105% of S)
    """
    premium = black_scholes_call(S, K, T, r, sigma)
    # At expiration:
    # payoff = max(0, S_exp - K)
    # P&L = payoff - premium
    # P&L% = (payoff - premium) / premium * 100
    return premium

# Backtest loop
for entry in monthly_entries:
    S = spot_at_entry
    K = round(S * 1.05 / 5) * 5   # 5% OTM call
    T = 45 / 365.25
    premium = black_scholes_call(S, K, T, RISK_FREE_RATE, avg_iv)
    S_exp = spot_at_expiry
    payoff = max(0, S_exp - K)
    pnl_pct = (payoff - premium) / premium * 100

Backtest Performance

SymbolReturn %SharpeMax DD %Win %Avg/trade %Trades
SPY+8015.0%0.32+700.0%+26.3%+421.8%19
QQQ+20403.7%0.37+400.0%+42.1%+1073.9%19
IWM+21916.3%0.57+614.9%+47.4%+1153.5%19
DIA+1864.3%0.24+700.0%+26.3%+98.1%19
Avg+13049.8%0.37+603.7%+35.5%19

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