🛡️ One-Sided Protection Stock Strategies

These strategies are used to protect against adverse price movement in one direction—typically downside risk—while preserving upside potential or income.

1. Protective Put

Structure: Own stock + buy a put option.
Protection Side: Downside.
Best Used When: Bullish on stock but want insurance against a drop.

2. Collar

Structure: Own stock + buy a put + sell a call.
Protection Side: Downside, with capped upside.
Best Used When: Want low-cost protection and are willing to limit gains.

3. Covered Call

Structure: Own stock + sell a call option.
Protection Side: Mild downside (via premium income).
Best Used When: Neutral to slightly bullish outlook; want income buffer.

4. Married Put

Structure: Buy stock and put simultaneously.
Protection Side: Downside.
Best Used When: Entering a new position and want immediate protection.

5. Put Spread Collar

Structure: Own stock + buy put + sell lower strike put + sell call.
Protection Side: Downside, with reduced cost and capped upside.
Best Used When: Want layered protection and income with limited risk.

📊 Summary Table

Strategy	Protection Side	Structure	Best Used When
Protective Put	Downside	Own stock + buy put	Want insurance while staying long
Collar	Downside	Own stock + buy put + sell call	Want low-cost hedge, willing to cap gains
Covered Call	Mild downside	Own stock + sell call	Want income buffer in flat market
Married Put	Downside	Buy stock + buy put	Entering new position with protection
Put Spread Collar	Downside	Own stock + buy put + sell lower put + sell call	Want layered hedge with income