Gut Spread

What Is a Gut Spread?

A gut spread, or "guts", is an options strategy created by buying or selling an in-the-money (ITM) put at the same time as an ITM call. Long gut spreads are used by options traders when they believe that the underlying stock will move significantly, but are unsure whether it will be up or down. In contrast, a short gut spread is used when the underlying stock isn't expected to make any significant movement.

A gut spread differs from a vanilla options spread in that the latter utilizes out-of-the-money (OTM) options.

Understanding the Gut Spread

A gut spread is effectively the same as a typical options spread, but differs in the fact that a gut spread uses more expensive in-the-money (ITM) options at either strike price. These ITM options are referred to as the "guts" since they are meatier in terms of intrinsic value than their OTM equivalents.

If the price moves significantly, the call or put will be worth money, while the other option will incur a loss. The loss on the losing leg is capped at the amount paid for the option. The long strategy will result in a loss if the price doesn't move significantly, or stays the same, since the extrinsic value of the option will be lost. The loss may only be a partial loss, since one or both of the options may still be in the money and therefore have some value.

Selling an ITM call and put has the opposite effect. The seller, or writer, is expecting that the price won't move very much. Selling an ITM call and put commands a higher premium than selling OTM calls and puts. If the price of the underlying moves significantly, then the call or put will be losing money. The loss could be very big, depending on how far the underlying moves. The loss is offset by the premium received. It is possible that one or both options expire ITM, therefore, the maximum profit is the extrinsic value of the options sold.

Real-World Example of a Gut Spread in a Stock

Assume a trader believes that Apple Inc. (APPL) stock price will have a big move over the next five weeks due to an earnings announcement. They decide to buy ITM call and put options, creating a gut spread, on options that expire in six weeks. This expiration allows the trader to hold through the earnings release.

• Apple is currently trading at $225.
• The trader buys an ITM call with a strike of $220 for $12.85 per contract. Since each contract controls 100 shares, the cost for the call is $1,285 plus commissions.
• The trader buys an ITM put with a strike of $230 for $10.40. The put costs a total of $1,040 plus commissions.
• The total cost of the trade is $2,325.

If the price of the underlying moves to $240 at option expiry, the trader will still lose $325. This is because the call is worth $20 per share, or $2,000. The put is worth nothing. They spent $2,325 on the trade, but only have an option worth $2,000.

If the price moves to $260 at option expiry, the trader has a profit of $1,675. This is because the call is worth $40 per share, or $4,000. The put is worth nothing. They spent $2,325 on the trade.

If the price is near $225 at expiry, the call is worth $5 per contract and the put is worth $5 for the contract, for a total of $1,000 for 100 shares each. They lose $1,325.

If the price of Apple drops to $200, the put is worth $30, or $3,000 for the 100 shares. Deducting what they paid from put profit, they make $675.