Live Cattle put options give a buyer exposure to falling futures prices. Follow one contract from premium paid to its result at expiration.
How live cattle options work
The examples use options on live cattle futures. A call gives the right to enter a long futures position at the strike price. A put gives the right to enter a short futures position at that price.
A cattle producer may use live-cattle puts to help protect a selling price. Feeder-cattle options reference younger animals and serve a different exposure.
The cost of one option
One CME contract represents 40,000 pounds. The exchange quotes this product in cents per pound; the examples convert those quotes into dollars. A premium of 8 cents equals $0.08 per pound. At a premium of $0.08 per pound, one option costs $3,200 ($0.08 × 40,000).
Assume the futures price and strike are both $1.8 per pound. The call and put premiums are each $0.08 for comparison, not current quotes. Results below are at expiration, before fees, with any futures position from exercise immediately closed at the stated price.
Buying live cattle puts
If you expect prices to fall instead, buying one $1.8 put costs $3,200 in this example.
At a futures price of $1.56 per pound, selling at the strike gives an advantage of $0.24 per pound. The option is worth $9,600 at expiration, leaving a $6,400 net profit after the premium.
At $1.8 or above, the put expires worthless. Breakeven is $1.72 per pound. At $1.76, the price has fallen, but the put still loses $1,600: the move has not covered its premium.
Before expiration
An option can be sold to close before expiration when a market is available. Its price then includes the effect of remaining time and implied volatility, so an earlier trade need not break even at the expiration price calculated above.
The purchased option can lose its whole premium. Exercise can create a futures position requiring margin and exposing you to further gains or losses. An uncovered seller can lose more than the premium received.
Live Cattle price chart
Capital.com Live Cattle CFD reference price. This broker CFD (contract for difference) is a market reference, not a spot price or an exchange futures contract. Prices and quoting units may differ from the contracts described in this guide. Check the widget timestamp and market status; prices may be delayed.
