Long Put

Directional

Buy an OTM put for downside protection or bearish speculation.

Risk Profile

Max Profit
Strike − Premium (underlying → 0)
Max Loss
Premium paid
Breakeven
Strike − Premium
Outlook
Bearish

Parameters

ParameterDefaultDescription
strike_pct0.95Strike as fraction of spot (5% OTM)
dte45Days to expiration at entry

Methodology

A long put purchases an out-of-the-money put option, providing leveraged exposure to downside moves or acting as portfolio insurance. Risk is limited to the premium paid. The strategy profits when the underlying falls below the breakeven (strike − premium). Backtested with 45 DTE cycles at a strike of 95% of spot. P&L is expressed as a percentage of premium paid.

Implementation

def run_long_put(S, K, T, r, sigma):
    """
    Long Put: buy OTM put for downside exposure.
    K: strike (95% of S)
    """
    premium = black_scholes_put(S, K, T, r, sigma)
    # At expiration:
    # payoff = max(0, K - S_exp)
    # 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 * 0.95 / 5) * 5   # 5% OTM put
    T = 45 / 365.25
    premium = black_scholes_put(S, K, T, RISK_FREE_RATE, avg_iv)
    S_exp = spot_at_expiry
    payoff = max(0, K - S_exp)
    pnl_pct = (payoff - premium) / premium * 100

Backtest Performance

SymbolReturn %SharpeMax DD %Win %Avg/trade %Trades
SPY+8028.3%0.19+1000.0%+5.3%+422.5%19
QQQ+22577.4%0.22+1000.0%+5.3%+1188.3%19
IWM+11328.4%0.32+600.0%+21.1%+596.2%19
DIA+1911.5%0.12+1000.0%+5.3%+100.6%19
Avg+10961.4%0.21+900.0%+9.2%19

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