Calculate the Put/Call Volume Ratio for Any Stock or Index

The opt_PutCallVolRatio function helps you quickly monitor the balance between put and call option volume for a given stock or index. You can optionally specify an option expiration date to get more focused insights on a particular expiration. Investors and traders often watch the put/call volume ratio for signs of market sentiment and potential directional shifts in price.

Why Use This Function?

• Ideal for sentiment analysis: A high put/call volume ratio often indicates bearish sentiment, while a low ratio can indicate bullish sentiment.
• Flexible date options: Evaluate all open interest across expirations or specify a particular expiration date to narrow your analysis.
• In-depth option metrics: Quickly gauge the relative trading activity in puts vs. calls for a broad or targeted view.
• Customizable and powerful: Integrate seamlessly with other Excel formulas to build advanced trading dashboards in Excel.
• Usage across multiple underlyings: Supports common tickers like AAPL, MSFT, and also indices such as ^SPX, ^NDX, ^VIX, or ^XSP (automatically adjusting these tickers in the query).

How to Use in Excel

=opt_PutCallVolRatio(Underlying, [ExpirationDate])

• Type “=opt_PutCallVolRatio(“ into a cell.
• Provide the security symbol as the first parameter.
• Optionally specify an expiration date as the second parameter (e.g., DATE(2024,1,19)).
• Press Enter to retrieve the put/call volume ratio.

If you omit the ExpirationDate argument (or pass in 0), the function calculates the ratio based on total volumes across all expirations.

Parameters Explained

Example Usage

Basic Examples

1. Retrieve the overall put/call volume ratio for Apple (AAPL):
   =opt_PutCallVolRatio("AAPL")
   • No expiration date provided, so you see the sum of volumes for all open expirations.

2. Fetch the put/call volume ratio for the S&P 500 Index (SPX) across all expirations:
   =opt_PutCallVolRatio("^SPX")
   • The function internally adjusts the symbol to “SPX.”

3. Specify a particular expiration date for Tesla (TSLA):
   =opt_PutCallVolRatio("TSLA", DATE(2024,1,19))
   • Only calculates the ratio for that specific expiration date.

Advanced Scenarios

• Combine with other MarketXLS functions: For instance, create a trading dashboard that compares put/call ratios alongside implied volatility and price data.
• Multi-expiration monitoring: Use different cells with varying expiration dates to see how sentiment shifts across near-term vs. long-term expirations.
• Integrate with macros or conditional formatting: Highlight unusually high or low ratios in red/green to call attention to potential trading opportunities.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

1. What if the function returns “NA”?

   • Data might not be available for that ticker or expiration date. Ensure the symbol is valid or try omitting the expiration date to see the total ratio.

2. Why am I getting a license prompt or error message?

   • The add-in checks for a valid MarketXLS license. Make sure your license is active and properly installed within Excel.

3. Can I use a cell reference for the expiration date?

   • Yes. Point the second parameter at a cell containing a valid Excel date for more dynamic calculations.

4. What if either puts or calls are zero in volume?

   • While rare for very active symbols, a division by zero can result in “NA” or a default error code. In such a case, check broader expirations or other underlyings.

By leveraging the opt_PutCallVolRatio function in MarketXLS, you gain unparalleled flexibility and speed in your options-influenced trading research. Expand your strategies, watch for market sentiment swings, and harness real-time data directly within Excel to power your trading decisions.