Put Call Ratio

What is the Put Call Ratio?

Put/Call ratio (PCR) is a popular derivative indicator, specifically designed to help traders gauge the overall sentiment (mood) of the market. The ratio is calculated either on the basis of options trading volumes or on the basis of the open interest for a particular period. If the ratio is more than 1, it means that more puts have been traded during the day and if it is less than 1, it means more calls have been traded. The PCR can be calculated for the options segment as a whole, which includes individual stocks as well as indices.

How to analyse PCR (Put Call Ratio)?

Let’s see how PCR analysis can be interpreted taking option sellers into consideration who are the major players in the market as compared to the retail public who are usually on the buying side of the trade.

How is PCR Calculated?

The interpretation of this ratio differs as per the type of investor. PCR is calculated by two methods which are as follows:
a. Based on Open Interests of a specific day
PCR is calculated by dividing the current open interest in a Put contract on a specific day by the open Call interest on the very same day.
PCR (OI) = Put open interest/Call open interest

b. Based on the volume of Options trading
Here, PCR is calculated by dividing the total Put trading volume by the total call trading volume on a specific day
PCR (Volume) = Put trading volume/Call trading volume
Put volumes are the financial market indicator for the total initiated Put option over a specific time frame. Furthermore, Call volumes are used to indicate the total initiated Call options over that period.

Why Is PCR Important?

Put/Call ratio is an important tool used by traders to gauge the overall sentiment of the market. Put/call ratio help traders decide the price movement of an underlying security and guides them to place directional bets on the stocks. Being a contrarian indicator, it helps traders not to get trapped with Herd Mentality. As the ratio is calculated both in terms of open interest and volume, the entire trading behaviour of market participants can be analysed using the Put/call ratio.

Limitations of Put Call Ratio

The PCR is one of the most frequently used options trading tools. It can help to evaluate market sentiment by comparing the volume of put and call options. However, it has a number of major limitations.

Put Call Ratio - FAQs

Why should we pay attention to the put-call ratio?

Put/Call ratio is a derivative indicator, it looks at option build-up, helping trader gauge whether a recent rise or fall in the markets is excessive and if the time is correct to make a contrarian call. It’s an indicator that’s best made use of during market extremes, traders try to identify periods where a reversal could occur in the markets.

Is a high put-call ratio good?

No such conclusions can not be drawn, interpretation depends on the market situation and historical PCR data of the Index or stock in order to take a contrarian bet

What is a bullish put-call ratio?

There is no fixed number, historical data needs to be compared i.e. one month or 3-month averages. PCR, like rest of the technical and derivative Indicators should be used in conjunction with the rest of the indicators and should be interpreted according to the current market scenario.

How do you use put-call ratio in trading?

PCR as a Contrarian Indicator

Is put-call ratio a reliable measure to forecast future market conditions?

The reliability of the of the indicator is quite high since it is based on the outstanding position of the traders in the market. But, when you use the indicator and how you interpret it is most important factor.PCR as a Contrarian Indicator

What is a good put-call ratio?

A fair PCR is between 0.7 and 1.0. It indicates the balanced sentiment of the market. A PCR close to 0.7 points to slightly bullish sentiment, where the number of call options being traded is more when compared to the number of put options. A Put Call Ratio close to 1.0 points that the options are more or less equal.

What if PCR is greater than 1?

A PCR of more than 1 is a signal of a bearish market mood when put options are being traded in greater volume as compared to call options. This implies that traders are using options to bet on or hedge a fall in the market, and this is because of fear of downside price action. Investors often consider a high Put Call Ratio to be a manifestation of fear or caution.