Put Call Ratio (PCR) is one of the simplest yet powerful sentiment indicator which helps to gauge the general trend of market. It is the ratio of number of traded Put options and number of traded Call options. A value greater than 1 signifies Bearishness in market sentiment, and a value less than 0.5 indicates bullishness. Further in this article we’ll understand the theory behind Put Call ratio, and it’s calculation steps. There is an automated excel sheet attached at the end of this post which calculates Put Call ratio for Nifty and BankNifty.
Also Read: Options Max Pain Calculator Excel Sheet
Secret Behind Put Call Ratio
Put Call ratio is simply calculated using the traded volume of options. When volume of Put options is more than Call options then it indicates bearish market sentiment, and mathematically PCR is greater than 1. The reason being, investors buy Put options only if they speculate downfall in market in the near future. Similarly increased volume in Call options indicates bullish market sentiment and PCR is less than 1. Conceptually PCR is very simple, but its logical and signals market reversal correctly most of the time.
Put Call Ratio Calculation
PCR is calculated in three simple steps for any Option series:-
Step 1: Calculate the sum of Open Interest of Put options of each strike price (a)
Step 2: Calculate the sum of Open Interest of Call options of each strike price (b)
Step 3: Divide a by b
Put Call Ratio Interpretation
Even the interpretation of PCR is very straightforward.
- If PCR value is greater than 1, it indicates extreme bearish sentiment. Contrarian traders can use it to take long positions as market is oversold.
- If PCR value is between 0.5 to 1, it indicates sideways trend. It’s advisable to avoid trading during this period.
- If PCR value is less than 0.5, it indicates bullish sentiment. Contrarian traders can use it to take short positions as market is overbought.
Put Call ratio is mass favorite for contrarian traders, as it indicates reversals accurately.
Put Call Ratio Excel Sheet
This is an automated Excel sheet which calculates PCR for Nifty and Banknifty, You need not to input any values in the Excel, it will auto refresh every 5 minutes, pull the option series and calculate PCR. You just need to be connected to Internet to see the updated values.
Please see the download link for the excel sheet below:
Let us know in comments section if you have any queries.
If PCR value is greater than 1, it indicates extreme bearish sentiment. Contrarian traders can use it to take long positions as market is oversold.
If PCR value is between 0.5 to 1, it indicates sideways trend. It’s advisable to avoid trading during this period.
But in your excel sheet the put call ratio for Bank Nifty is 1,04 and Nifty is 1.22. You have mentioned that the market sentiment is BULLISH. Which is correct?
Interpretation of PCR varies based on whether you are a trend following trader or Contrarian trader.
Thanks for PCR Update…
PCR for nifty future i checked today, it was showing bullish as result was more than 1, and market for nifty also finaly gone to bullish. so, as per trend following trader it shows bullish but as per contrarian trader. so, which one we should follow?
Hi Jayanta,
If PCR value is greater than 1, it indicates extreme bearish sentiment. Contrarian traders can use it to take long positions as market is oversold.
If pcr is more than 1 means extreme bullish OK but which CE is go long since we have calculated nearly 10 ce
Hi Mal,
If market outlook is extreme bullish you can literally take positions in any CE depending on your capital
Hi sir,
23rd of February
PCR is 1.268
But market moved 347 up
Please explain about this
Hi Ashok,
There are exceptions for any trading strategy. That’s where stop loss comes handy. Alos, PCR is not the only factor that governs the market sentiment
HI
Is it possible to provide excel with strikewise PCR for Nifty and Bank Nifty
Dear Admin,
excel is calculated by taking base of strike price 11200 /27700 but now market at 10820 & 27220,does it need to change day by day because “PUT VALUE”column is calculating as per strike 11200/27700.
Request you to please guide us on this.
I feel something is wrong.
Hi Abhijeet,
The sheet auto updates, you need not to update anything mmanually
Where do i find the PCR for a stock? Is it like an indicator on Yahoo Finance .. OBV, RSI ect.. ?
Not working for me…I was using Excel 2007 in windows 7
I have given permissions also and tried by clicking refresh all also.
Please help me in this regard.
Thanks in Advance.