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ADBE Earnings: Bull Put Spread has a High Probability of Success

Barchart - Tue Sep 10, 6:00AM CDT

Adobe (ADBE) is a multinational software company known for its industry-leading creative tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, as well as its widely-used PDF solution, Adobe Acrobat. 

Over the years, Adobe has successfully transitioned to a cloud-based subscription model, driving consistent revenue growth across its Creative Cloud, Document Cloud, and Experience Cloud services.

As the company approaches its next earnings release, analysts expect continued growth in its recurring subscription revenue, particularly from Creative Cloud, as demand for digital content creation tools remains strong.

Additionally, investors will be watching for updates on Adobe's expansion in the enterprise segment and its integration of AI-driven features into its product offerings.

Any guidance on how the company plans to manage macroeconomic pressures or competition in the software space could impact the stock's performance.

Adobe has stayed above the expected range following five of the last eight earnings announcements.

ADBE Earnings Bull Put Spread

With earnings set for Thursday after the closing bell, implied volatility on ADBE stock is through the roof.

Implied volatility is sitting at 43.47% compared to a twelve-month low of 23.17% and a high of 47.76%.

That means, it’s a great time to be an option seller.

If you have a bullish outlook for Adobe for their earnings announcement, then a bull put spread is a great strategy to employ.

To execute a bull put spread, an investor would sell a naked put and then buy a further out-of-the-money put to create a spread.

A bull put spread is considered less risky than a naked put, because the losses are capped thanks to the bought put.

Potential Benefits

Bull put spreads offer several advantages for options traders seeking to generate income while managing risk. 

They provide a defined-risk strategy, allowing traders to know their maximum potential loss upfront. 

Additionally, bull put spreads benefit from time decay, as they profit from the erosion of extrinsic value over time. 

This time decay accelerates as the expiration date approaches.

Bull put spreads will benefit from the drop in implied volatility that always occurs after an earnings announcement. 

Potential Risks

While bull put spreads offer enticing benefits, they also come with inherent risks. 

One significant risk is the potential for substantial losses if the underlying stock's price declines sharply. 

Traders must also consider the possibility of early assignment, which can occur if the stock price moves below the short put option's strike price before expiration. 

It's essential for traders to thoroughly understand and manage these risks when implementing this options strategy.

Selling an ADBE Bull Put Spread

A trader selling the September 13, $525-strike put and buying the $520-strike put on ADBE would receive around $45 into their account, and would have a maximum risk of $455. 

That represents a 9.89% return on risk between now and Saturday if ADBE stock remains above $525.

If ADBE stock closes below $520 on the expiration date the trade loses the full $455.

The breakeven point for the bull put spread is $524.55 which is calculated as $525 less the $0.45 option premium per contract.

Company Details

The Barchart Technical Opinion rating is an 88% Buy with a Strongest short-term outlook on maintaining the current direction.

Of the 31 analysts covering ADBE, 22 have a Strong Buy rating, 1 has a Moderate Buy rating, 6 have a Hold rating and 2 have a Strong Sell rating.

Conclusion

Selling a bull put spread on ADBE ahead of earnings can offer traders an opportunity to capitalize on anticipated bullish sentiment while managing downside risk. 

By carefully selecting strike prices and expiration dates, traders can position themselves to potentially profit from a favorable earnings outcome while limiting potential losses. 

However, it's crucial for traders to conduct thorough analysis and adhere to risk management principles to navigate the inherent uncertainties associated with earnings events.

Please remember that options are risky, and investors can lose 100% of their investment. 

This article is for education purposes only and not a trade recommendation. Remember to always do your own due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.


On the date of publication, Gavin McMaster did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.

Provided Content: Content provided by Barchart. The Globe and Mail was not involved, and material was not reviewed prior to publication.