Bull Call Spread
Buying an ITM call and selling an OTM call to cut cost with defined risk.
Profit / Loss Diagram
Bull Call Spread at expiration
What is this strategy?
The Bull Call Spread is a two-leg strategy combining the purchase of a call option with the simultaneous sale of a call at a higher strike. This bullish structure significantly reduces the cost of entry compared with a plain Long Call, but it also caps maximum potential gain. It suits bullish traders with limited budget or those expecting moderate upward moves.
The mechanics are simple: you buy a call at a lower strike (the long strike) and sell a call at a higher strike (the short strike) with the same expiration. The net debit — premium paid minus premium received — is your maximum potential loss. Maximum gain is the difference between strikes minus the net debit. This defined, limited risk-reward makes it more conservative than a Long Call.
The Bull Call Spread is particularly popular with experienced traders seeking to improve their risk-reward ratio. It requires a moderate upward move to be profitable rather than an explosive one. It is especially useful in moderately volatile markets where you expect a gain but want to reduce cost. Breakeven is calculated by adding the net debit to the long strike.
Construction
| Action | Instrument | Strike | Expiration | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUY | 1 Call | ATM or slightly ITM | 30-60 DTE | +1 AAPL Jun 175 Call @ $8.00 |
| SELL | 1 Call | OTM (5-10% above) | Same Expiration | -1 AAPL Jun 185 Call @ $3.00 |
Example
Scenario: AAPL trades at $173. You are moderately bullish and expect it to reach $180–190 within two months.
- Long Call Purchased +1 AAPL Jun 175 Call @ $8.00
- Short Call Sold -1 AAPL Jun 185 Call @ $3.00
- Net Debit $500 (8.00 − 3.00 = 5.00 × 100)
- Maximum Gain $500 (185−175 strike width − $500 net debit)
- Maximum Loss $500 (net debit paid)
- Breakeven $180.00 (175 long strike + 5 net debit)
- Profit if AAPL = $190 $500 maximum (capped by the short strike)
The Greeks
The long leg carries positive delta, the short leg negative. Net is positive but smaller than a plain Long Call — roughly 0.30 to 0.50 depending on strikes.
The long option loses more value than the short one generates. Theta is not your friend, but the effect is far milder than on a Long Call.
The long leg carries higher positive vega, the short leg lower negative vega. Net is positive but reduced versus a Long Call.
The long leg has positive gamma, the short leg negative. Net is positive but limited by the short call.
Position Management
- 01 Take Profits at 50–75% You do not need to wait for expiration. If the position captures 50–75% of maximum potential ($250–375 of $500), consider closing both legs and banking the gain.
- 02 Set a Stop Loss If the market moves against you and you are down 50% of the net debit ($250 of $500), close the position rather than riding it to a total loss.
- 03 Handle Assignment on the Short Leg If assigned on the short call near expiration, you are short shares. You can hold, buy them back, or exercise your long call to cap the damage.
- 04 Roll Up If price rises well past the short strike, consider closing both legs and opening a new spread at higher strikes to keep bullish exposure alive.
- 05 Monitor Volatility Rising volatility helps the position (positive vega). If volatility falls sharply, the spread loses value even with no price movement.