Cash Secured Put Calculator
This calculator provides practical, trade-level metrics for cash-secured put positions: required cash reserve, net credit, break-even price, maximum potential loss, and both period and approximate annualized returns. It also includes a simplified illustrative scenario for rolling a subset of contracts out and down.
The tool is designed for decision support and scenario exploration. It does not replace brokerage execution platforms, legal advice, or tax guidance. Results are illustrative and rely on inputs provided by the user.
Governance
Record 9a984d24a216 • Reviewed by Fidamen Standards Committee
Calculates key metrics for selling a single cash-secured put position held to expiration.
Inputs
Advanced inputs
Roll (Out & Down) details
Results
Cash required (reserve)
$9,500.00
Net credit received
$249.35
Break-even price
$92.50
Maximum potential loss (to zero)
$9,250.00
Return on cash (per period)
2.62%
Approx. annualized return
31.93%
| Output | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Cash required (reserve) | $9,500.00 | USD |
| Net credit received | $249.35 | USD |
| Break-even price | $92.50 | USD |
| Maximum potential loss (to zero) | $9,250.00 | USD |
| Return on cash (per period) | 2.62% | % |
| Approx. annualized return | 31.93% | % |
Visualization
Methodology
Calculations follow straightforward arithmetic: premiums are per-share and multiplied by contract size (100 shares per contract). Cash required equals strike price × contracts × 100. Net credit subtracts estimated commissions. Annualized return is an approximation using linear scaling (return × 365 / days_to_expiry).
Model and user-interface design follow recognized practices for reliability and traceability. For secure handling of inputs, storage, and integration, follow NIST guidance on data integrity and ISO/IEC best practices for information security. Accuracy and safety disclaimers reference IEEE guidelines for algorithmic transparency and OSHA recommendations for operational controls where applicable.
Worked examples
Example: Sell 1 put at 95 strike, receive $2.50 premium, 30 days to expiry. Cash required = $9,500. Total premium = $250. Net credit (after $0.65 commission) = $249.35 (illustrative). Return on cash ≈ 2.62% for the period, annualized ≈ 31.8% (approx.).
Rolling example (illustrative): If rolling 1 contract from strike 95 to new strike 90, collect a different premium for the new strike, and pay estimated closing and opening commissions, the net change in credit and new cash reserve are shown. This is a simplified model and does not replicate live fill prices or slippage.
F.A.Q.
What does 'cash-secured' mean?
Cash-secured means you reserve the full cash amount needed to buy the underlying at the strike if assigned. The calculator computes that reserved amount as strike × contracts × 100.
Are commissions, fees, and taxes included?
The calculator deducts a user-specified commission per contract as an estimate. It provides a field for a tax rate for user reference but does not compute detailed tax liability. Users should consult tax professionals for precise tax treatment.
How accurate are the annualized returns?
Annualized returns use a linear scaling approximation (return × 365 / days). This ignores path dependency, reinvestment, and timing effects. Use annualized results for rough comparison only; do not treat them as guaranteed.
Is this suitable for trade execution?
No. This tool is for scenarios and planning. Execution depends on live market prices, fills, margin rules, and broker-specific requirements.
What standards support the calculator's trust assertions?
Design, data handling, and transparency recommendations referenced include NIST frameworks for data integrity, ISO/IEC information security guidance, IEEE recommendations for algorithmic transparency, and OSHA guidance for operational safety oversight where human procedures are concerned.
Sources & citations
- NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology) — https://www.nist.gov
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization) — https://www.iso.org
- IEEE Standards Association — https://standards.ieee.org
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) — https://www.osha.gov
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Investor Bulletin — https://www.sec.gov
- OCC — Options Clearing Corporation — https://www.theocc.com/
- CBOE — Chicago Board Options Exchange Education — https://www.cboe.com/education/
- Columbia University — Black-Scholes Model (Academic Reference) — https://www.columbia.edu/~mh2078/FoundationsFE/BlackScholes.pdf
Further resources
Versioning & Change Control
Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).
Record ID: 9a984d24a216What changed (latest)
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-16 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Public QA status
PASS — golden 25 + edge 120
Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23
Versioning & Change Control
Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).
What changed (latest)
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-16 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Public QA status
PASS — golden 25 + edge 120
Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23
Engine
v1.0.0
Data
Baseline (no external datasets)
Content
v1.0.0
UI
v1.0.0
Governance
Last updated: Nov 16, 2025
Reviewed by: Fidamen Standards Committee (Review board)
Credentials: Internal QA
Risk level: low
Reviewer profile (entity)
Fidamen Standards Committee
Review board
Internal QA
Entity ID: https://fidamen.com/reviewers/fidamen-standards-committee#person
Semantic versioning
- MAJOR: Calculation outputs can change for the same inputs (formula, rounding policy, assumptions).
- MINOR: New features or fields that do not change existing outputs for the same inputs.
- PATCH: Bug fixes, copy edits, or accessibility changes that do not change intended outputs except for previously incorrect cases.
Review protocol
- Verify formulas and unit definitions against primary standards or datasets.
- Run golden-case regression suite and edge-case suite.
- Record reviewer sign-off with credentials and scope.
- Document assumptions, limitations, and jurisdiction applicability.
Assumptions & limitations
- Uses exact unit definitions from the Fidamen conversion library.
- Internal calculations use double precision; display rounding follows the unit's configured decimal places.
- Not a substitute for calibrated instruments in regulated contexts.
- Jurisdiction-specific rules may require official guidance.
Change log
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-16 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Areas: engine, content, ui • Reviewer: Fidamen Standards Committee • Entry ID: 1acf4523b1a9