Understanding Put Call Ratio: Formula, Calculation, and Trading Strategies

Last Updated : May 26, 2023, 6:35 p.m.

A well-liked technical indicator traders use to assess market sentiment is the put-call ratio (PCR). The PCR compares the number of put options traded to the number of call options traded and can provide insight into whether traders are more bullish or bearish on the market. It is often used as a contrarian indicator, with high ratios indicating a bearish sentiment and low ratios indicating bullish sentiment. It represents the proportion of all traded Put options to all traded Call options. This article will discuss the Put Call Ratio’s definition, formula, and calculation:

The Put Call Ratio (PCR) is a crucial metric that investors and traders use to gauge market sentiment. The relationship between the volume of Put options and Call options traded on a specific security or index is analysed using this method. Traders can use the Put Call Ratio to spot probable market reversals and determine how fearful or greedy the players are.

What is Put Call Ratio?

The Put Call Ratio (PCR) is the proportion of all traded Put options to all traded Call options.

The right to sell an asset at a specific price within a given time frame is provided by a put option. On the other hand, a call option allows the holder to purchase security within a predetermined time frame and at a predetermined price. When the Put Call Ratio is high, more traders purchase Put options than Call options, pointing to a pessimistic market attitude. In contrast, a low Put Call Ratio means that more traders are buying Calls than Put options, which shows that the market is bullish.

Formula and Calculation

We must divide the total number of traded Put options by the whole Number of traded Call options to determine the Put Call Ratio. To further grasp this, let’s use an illustration.

Let’s say that 10,000 Put options and 20,000 Call options were traded on Nifty on a particular day. On that specific day, the Put Call Ratio would be determined as follows:

PCR = Number of transactions total Total Number of traded Put options / Call option volume

PCR = 10,000 / 20,000

PCR = 0.5

The Put Call Ratio for that day would be 0.5 as a result.

Nifty PCR

The Put Call Ratio for the Nifty index is known as the Nifty PCR. It is a well-liked technical indicator that traders use to assess the Nifty market sentiment. Traders frequently use nifty PCR to spot probable market reversals and evaluate the level of fear or greed among market players.

Calculation of Put Call Ratio

The put-call ratio is derived by dividing the total number of outstanding put options by the total number of exceptional call options. The Put Call Ratio is calculated as follows:

Put Call Ratio is calculated as the sum of all outstanding put options divided by all unique ones.

The Put Call Ratio, for instance, would be 0.5 (5,000/10,000) if there were 5,000 outstanding put options and 10,000 outstanding call options.

Using the Put Call Ratio for Trading

The Put Call Ratio is a tool traders use to spot future market reversals. More traders purchase put options than call options when the put-call ratio is above 1, signalling market bearishness. In contrast, a Put Call Ratio below 1 shows that more traders purchase call options than put options, signalling market bullishness.

The Put Call Ratio is another tool traders can use to pinpoint probable support and resistance levels. When the Put Call Ratio reaches extreme values, it may be a sign that the market is either overbought or oversold, which could cause the trend to reverse.

Generally, traders can use the put-call ratio to assess market sentiment and spot future trading opportunities. The Put Call Ratio can help traders make educated decisions and remain ahead of the curve in the market by working with other technical indicators and fundamental analysis.

Conclusion

Traders and investors use the Put Call Ratio (PCR), a crucial technical indicator, to assess market mood. It represents the proportion of all traded Put options to all traded Call options. A high Put Call Ratio denotes a pessimistic market attitude, whilst a low Put Call Ratio denotes a bullish market mood. Traders utilise the Nifty PCR, or Nifty Put Call Ratio, to evaluate market sentiment for the Nifty index. The Put Call Ratio allows traders to take advantage of future market reversals by helping them decide whether to buy or sell stocks.

In conclusion, a solid understanding of the Put Call Ratio is a crucial component of technical analysis and can give you essential information about the market’s feelings. Traders may stay on top of the market and make profitable transactions by monitoring the Put Call Ratio.

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