Low risk, high return: Improving option writing performance with put-call ratios in Taiwan

Abstract

This study employs the put-call ratio (PCR) to enhance option writing performance. Unlike the conventional buy-write strategy, we fully invest in the market during high PCR periods and sell options to generate income only when the PCR is low, greatly reducing trade frequency. Utilizing index options in Taiwan, which stands out as one of the few global markets developing tradable products for covered call strategies, and where retail investors play a predominant role, our approach yields higher returns with lower risk compared to the market index and outperforms VIX-based conditional strategies. The findings remain robust across institutional investors' positions, various PCR definitions, and alternative writing strategies such as put-write, covered combo, or delta-hedged portfolios.