Put-Call Parity Calculator

Calculate and verify the put-call parity relationship between European call and put options with the same strike price and expiration date. This fundamental relationship helps identify arbitrage opportunities in options markets.

Option Parameters

Parity Results

Left Side (C - P): $0.00
Right Side (S - PV(K)): $0.00
Parity Status: N/A

Arbitrage Analysis

Arbitrage Opportunity: None
Required Action: N/A
Profit Potential: $0.00

Theoretical Values

Present Value of Strike: $0.00
Fair Call Price: $0.00
Fair Put Price: $0.00

Understanding Put-Call Parity

Put-call parity is a fundamental principle in options pricing that establishes a relationship between the prices of European call and put options with the same strike price and expiration date. This relationship ensures that arbitrage opportunities are eliminated in efficient markets.

Put-Call Parity Formula

Basic Formula

  • C - P = S - PV(K)
  • C = Call option price
  • P = Put option price
  • S = Current stock price
  • K = Strike price
  • PV(K) = Present value of strike price

Complete Formula

  • C - P = S - K × e^(-rT)
  • r = Risk-free interest rate
  • T = Time to expiration
  • e^(-rT) = Discount factor
  • Applies to European options

Arbitrage Strategies

Exploiting Parity Violations

Risk-free profit opportunities when parity doesn't hold

When C - P > S - PV(K)

  • Sell call option
  • Buy put option
  • Buy stock
  • Borrow PV(K) at risk-free rate
  • Risk-free profit opportunity

When C - P < S - PV(K)

  • Buy call option
  • Sell put option
  • Sell stock
  • Lend PV(K) at risk-free rate
  • Risk-free profit opportunity

Synthetic Positions

Desired Position Synthetic Equivalent Strategy
Long Stock Long Call + Short Put Buy call, sell put with same strike
Short Stock Short Call + Long Put Sell call, buy put with same strike
Long Bond Long Put - Long Call Buy put, sell call with same strike
Short Bond Short Put + Short Call Sell put, sell call with same strike

Applications in Finance

Options Pricing

  • Black-Scholes model validation
  • Market efficiency assessment
  • Fair value determination
  • Model calibration

Risk Management

  • Hedging strategies
  • Delta hedging
  • Arbitrage detection
  • Portfolio insurance

Trading Strategies

  • Conversion/reversal arbitrage
  • Box spreads
  • Synthetic positions
  • Volatility trading

Market Analysis

  • Implied volatility calculation
  • Market sentiment analysis
  • Arbitrage opportunity identification
  • Efficiency measurement

Assumptions and Limitations

Key Assumptions

  • European options (no early exercise)
  • Same strike price and expiration
  • No dividends paid
  • No transaction costs
  • Frictionless markets

Real-World Factors

  • American options can be exercised early
  • Dividend payments affect parity
  • Transaction costs and bid-ask spreads
  • Market impact and liquidity
  • Credit risk considerations

Put-Call Parity with Dividends

Discrete Dividends

  • C - P = S - PV(K) - PV(Dividends)
  • Subtract present value of expected dividends
  • Adjusts for cash flows during option life
  • More complex calculations

Continuous Dividends

  • C - P = S × e^(-qT) - K × e^(-rT)
  • q = Continuous dividend yield
  • Adjusts stock price for dividend drag
  • Used in Black-Scholes model

Key Takeaways for Put-Call Parity Calculator

  • Put-call parity states that C - P = S - PV(K) for European options with the same strike and expiration
  • The relationship ensures no arbitrage opportunities exist between calls, puts, and the underlying stock
  • When parity is violated, traders can create risk-free arbitrage positions
  • The calculator helps verify if options are fairly priced relative to each other
  • Put-call parity is fundamental to options pricing models like Black-Scholes
  • Synthetic positions use parity relationships to create equivalent exposures
  • The relationship assumes European options, no dividends, and frictionless markets
  • Use the calculator to identify mispriced options and arbitrage opportunities

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