How to open a Bullish Debit Call Spreads on ER play $KEYS

Why a Bullish Debit Call Spread?

A Bullish Debit Call Spread is an ideal strategy when you're confident about a moderate increase in the stock price but want to limit your risk. This involves buying a call option at a lower strike price and selling another call option at a higher strike price with the same expiration date. The net effect is a reduced upfront cost compared to buying a single call option, with the trade-off being a capped profit potential.

Setting Up the Trade:

Strike Price Selection:
Buy Call Option: Choose a strike price slightly above the current stock price of $KEYS. This is the level you expect the stock to reach or exceed after earnings.
Sell Call Option: Select a strike price above the one you bought, typically at a level where you believe the stock is less likely to move beyond post-earnings.
Expiration Date:

Opt for an expiration date that provides enough time for the earnings reaction to play out, typically the nearest monthly expiration after the earnings report.

Risk Management:
Max Loss: The maximum loss on this trade is limited to the net debit paid (the difference between the cost of the call bought and the call sold).
Max Profit: The maximum profit is the difference between the strike prices minus the net debit paid.
Break-Even Point: The stock price at expiration must exceed the lower strike price plus the net debit paid for the spread to start generating profit.

Profit Targets and Stop Loss:
Profit Target: Set a target to close the trade for profit if the stock moves favorably towards the higher strike price before expiration.
Stop Loss: Consider exiting the trade if the stock moves significantly against you, or if the thesis behind the trade (a strong earnings report) does not play out as expected.

Final Thoughts:
This strategy is well-suited for traders expecting a positive earnings surprise from KEYS but who prefer to manage their risk with a defined maximum loss. By structuring the trade with a spread, you can participate in the potential upside while minimizing the premium paid.