What option strategy Warren Buffett used?
Warren Buffett, often celebrated for his long-term value investing approach with stocks, has also strategically employed options trading to enhance his investment outcomes. While he’s not typically associated with speculative options plays, his use of stock options reflects a calculated, disciplined strategy aligned with his broader philosophy. Here’s a breakdown of the key options strategies Buffett has used, based on documented examples from his tenure at Berkshire Hathaway:
1. Selling Cash-Secured Puts
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What It Is: Buffett sells put options on stocks he’s willing to own, collecting premiums upfront. If the stock price falls below the strike price, he buys the stock at a discount (strike price minus premium). If it doesn’t, he keeps the premium as profit.
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Example: In 1993, Buffett reportedly sold put options on Coca-Cola with a $35 strike price when the stock was around $39-$40. He collected $7.5 million in premiums (50,000 contracts, $1.50 each). The stock never dropped below $35, so he pocketed the premium without buying the shares. If it had, his effective cost would’ve been $33.50 per share—still a deal he liked.
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Why He Uses It: This mirrors his insurance business model—collecting premiums for taking on a risk he’s comfortable with. It lowers his cost basis on stocks he already wants or generates income if the stock stays above the strike.
2. Long-Term Put Sales on Indexes
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What It Is: Buffett has sold long-dated put options on broad market indexes, betting they won’t crash below a certain level by expiration. These are often European-style options (exercisable only at expiration), reducing early assignment risk.
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Example: During the 2008 financial crisis, Berkshire sold puts on four major indexes (S&P 500, FTSE 100, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225) with expirations between 2019 and 2028. He collected $4.9 billion in premiums upfront. Despite mark-to-market losses during the crisis, the markets recovered, and many expired worthless, netting him significant gains.
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Why He Uses It: He views these as overpriced due to flaws in models like Black-Scholes for long horizons, leveraging his belief in the market’s long-term upward trend. The premiums provide immediate cash (float) to invest elsewhere.
3. Covered Calls (Less Frequent)
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What It Is: Selling call options against stocks he already owns, generating extra income while capping upside if the stock is called away.
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Evidence: While less documented, Buffett has hinted at using covered calls selectively in Berkshire’s portfolio, especially when he sees a stock as fairly valued but not likely to surge soon.
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Why He Uses It: It’s a conservative way to boost returns on existing holdings, aligning with his preference for steady cash flow over speculative bets.
Core Principles Behind His Options Strategy
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Value-Driven: He only sells options on assets he’d happily own (stocks) or believes won’t collapse (indexes), tying it to his value investing roots.
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Premium Collection: Like his insurance float, Buffett uses options to generate upfront cash, which he reinvests to compound returns.
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Long-Term Horizon: His options plays often span years, not weeks, reflecting his patience and confidence in fundamental trends over short-term noise.
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Risk Management: He avoids naked calls (unlimited risk) and prefers defined-risk setups like cash-secured puts or spreads, though his scale allows custom OTC deals unavailable to retail traders.
How It Differs from Typical Options Trading
Unlike retail traders chasing quick profits with directional bets, Buffett’s approach is more akin to an insurance underwriter than a gambler. He’s not trying to predict short-term price swings but uses options to tilt probabilities in his favor over time. For instance, his Coca-Cola trade wasn’t about timing the market—it was about getting paid to wait for a price he liked.
Can You Use It?
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Cash-Secured Puts: Yes, if you’ve got cash and a stock you’d buy at a lower price. Pick a strike below the current price, collect the premium, and be ready to own it.
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Long-Term Index Puts: Harder for retail investors—LEAPS (long-term options) max out at 2-3 years, not 15-20 like Buffett’s custom deals. Still, selling puts on an ETF like SPY could mimic this on a smaller scale.
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Covered Calls: Easy if you own stocks; sell calls above the current price to pocket premiums while holding.
Buffett’s options strategy isn’t about flashy wins—it’s about stacking the deck with high-probability, low-drama trades. What’s your investing style? If you lean toward patience and fundamentals, this might resonate.
