How to Use Cash-Secured Puts to Acquire Stocks at a Discount

Are you looking for a way to acquire stocks at a discounted price while generating income in the process? If so, then you may want to consider using a cash-secured put strategy.

A cash-secured put is a type of options trading strategy where you sell a put option on a stock or other underlying asset, while simultaneously setting aside enough cash to buy the stock if the option is exercised. The purpose of this strategy is to generate income while potentially acquiring the underlying asset at a discounted price.

Let's say you are interested in acquiring shares of ABC Company, which is currently trading at $100 per share. However, you believe that the stock price may decline in the short term before it rebounds and continues to rise in the long term. Instead of simply buying the stock at its current price, you could use a cash-secured put strategy to potentially acquire the stock at a lower price and generate income in the process.

Here's how it works:

Step 1: Choose the Strike Price and Expiration Date

The first step is to choose the strike price and expiration date for your put option. The strike price is the price at which you would be willing to purchase the stock if the option is exercised, while the expiration date is the date by which the buyer of the option must decide whether or not to exercise their option.

For example, you might choose a strike price of $90 per share and an expiration date of one month from now.

Step 2: Sell the Put Option

Once you have chosen the strike price and expiration date, you can sell the put option to a buyer. The buyer of the put option has the right, but not the obligation, to sell the stock to you at the strike price before the expiration date.

In exchange for selling the put option, you will receive a premium, which is the price that the buyer pays for the option. The premium represents the income that you will generate from this strategy.

Step 3: Set Aside Cash to Buy the Stock

To use a cash-secured put strategy, you must set aside enough cash to buy the stock at the strike price if the option is exercised. In this example, you would set aside $9,000 ($90 strike price x 100 shares) to cover the cost of purchasing the stock.

Step 4: Wait and See

Now, all you have to do is wait and see what happens. If the stock price remains above the strike price and the buyer of the put option decides not to exercise their option, then you get to keep the premium and you can repeat the process again.

However, if the stock price falls below the strike price and the buyer of the put option decides to exercise their option, then you must purchase the stock at the strike price using the cash that you set aside. While you may have missed out on the opportunity to buy the stock at a lower price, you still acquired the stock at a discounted price compared to its current market value.

Conclusion

Using a cash-secured put strategy is a way to potentially acquire stocks at a discounted price while generating income in the process. However, it is important to understand the risks involved, including the potential obligation to buy the stock at a lower price and the potential for missed gains if the stock price continues to rise. As with any investment strategy, it's important to do your research, understand the risks involved, and consult with a financial professional before making any investment decisions.

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Vijay Kailash, CFA
Founder & Lead Instructor at OptionSellingSecrets.com