Gamma Exposure Analysis SPY & VXX SPY Resistance at 570. The 570 level in SPY likely corresponds to a high gamma concentration for 0DTE (zero days to expiration) options. At this strike, market makers short gamma (i.e., net sellers of options) at this level would dynamically delta-hedge by selling SPY as the price approaches 570, creating selling pressure and resistance. Next resistance level 575.
For VXX , the 48 level likely represents a put-dominated gamma zone: If market makers are net long puts, they would buy VXX as prices decline toward 48 to hedge against further downside, creating support. Next support level 46.50
Gamma
Gamma Exposure on SPXToday marks the first day in a long time where we can observe some green, bullish levels on gamma exposure. The daily GexView indicator displays thin green lines, which represent the gamma exposure of zero-days-to-expire contracts. The thick lines, on the other hand, represent the total gamma exposure across all expiration contracts. This is a promising first step, especially if these lines persist over the next few days and continue to develop further.
02/26 Special GEX Outlook: NVDA Earnings, GEX LevelsNVDA Earnings Announcement 🔥
NVIDIA reports earnings today, after market close, and this release could create significant movement. Let’s dive right into the charts and see what the technicals are telling us!
With earnings so close, I typically look only at the nearest expiration, which in this case is 02/28 (Friday).
The implied move (IV) is around 10%, or approximately 12 points in either direction. That’s what the market has priced in for this binary event.
Key Observations
The price is hovering around the Transition Zone and very close to the HVL (High Volume Level) around 130–132.
This suggests the market maker is trying to remain delta-neutral leading into earnings. Once the report hits, expect potential volatility on Wall Street! 🚀
GEX Levels for Friday
🔴 Bearish Scenario
The bottom of the Transition Zone is at 126.
If price drops below 126, the next major put support is at 120 and extends to 115 (a negative gamma squeeze zone).
In other words, a breach of 126 could lead to a quick slide down to 120.
🟢Bullish Scenario
Major call resistance stands at 150, with a secondary call wall at 145.
Above 133 (top of the Transition Zone), calls dominate, meaning the path to 145–150 could open up if we break above the HVL.
Longer-Term Perspective 📊
We’re still in an overall uptrend, but history shows that even with positive surprises on 2 out of the last 4 earnings calls, the market had already priced in those expectations—often leading to a sell-the-news reaction.
I do not recommend trading right before the earnings with a binary mindset. It’s like walking into a casino and putting all your chips on red or black—it’s pure gamble! 🎰
Call pricing skew has been on a downward trend since DeepSeek (likely referencing a volatility event), indicating that call butterflies might not be as attractive on NVDA now as they were in the past few weeks.
Fundamental Analysis 💡
NVIDIA is a hype stock, much like TSLA was a few years back. Its current price has factored in a lot of the future potential.
Based on FastGraphs and other valuation tools, NVDA 1.44%↑ seems overpriced relative to its underlying performance.
A correction might bring it closer to fair value (the “green zone”), like it did in October 2022.
Until then, I’m not considering it for a 5+ year long-term investment—no matter what the short-term price action is.
Conclusion & Post-Earnings Strategy 👉
We simply don’t know which direction NVDA will move after earnings.
Typically, implied volatility (IV) expands before earnings (~90% of the time) and collapses for the nearest expiration immediately afterward.
Even IV on farther-dated expirations can continue to drift lower for a week or two post-earnings.
My Plan
Since I haven’t opened a time spread trade, I’m focusing on post-earnings setups.
If NVDA makes a huge move (breaking out of the 120–150 range), I’ll likely wait at least one more day before placing any new position to let open interest (OI) restructure.
April expirations will be more interesting for me after the dust settles.
[02/03] SPX Weekly GEX OutlookSPX shifted into a strong sideways trend after recent market whipsaws, but premarket today saw a sharp sell-off.
Now, let’s break down the GEX levels set for Friday’s weekly expiration (first weekly expiry). These are already reflected in today’s GEX data—check them on your indicator!
COMMENT: This week, we’ve started updating our seamless GEX & options indicators before the market opens . This has been a long-standing request from users—especially 0DTE traders, who will likely benefit the most.
Key GEX Levels for SPX
📍 Highest Positive Call Wall (Call Resistance): 6075
Acted as resistance last Friday, as it often does initially.
📍 Sideways Zone: 6000-6070 (Transition Zone with GAMMA flip)
Wide Transition Zone → Expect high volatility or slow drifting within this range.
Easy flow between positive and negative GEX profiles, meaning potential sharp moves in either direction.
📍 Put Support (Sum 4DTE): 5900
Very deep support—market is clearly pricing in fear of a potential future drop.
📌Below 6000, there are only negative NetGEX strikes down to 5900, which signals a lack of strong support until that level.
What This Means for the Week
📊 SPX opened (gapped down) in negative GEX territory—if buyers don’t reclaim this zone, we are in for a highly volatile week, potentially with a spiking VIX.
🚫 No reason for bullish optimism unless we break above 6070—until then, expect uncertainty and potential downside pressure.
PS: FINAL GEX ZONE COLORING SHEET
[02/03] TSLA GEX Outlook for February expiration📌 Key Levels & GEX Insights
Gamma Flip Zone: ~400 (until Febr expiration)
Tight Transition Zone, Wide Clear Movement Range
Above 420 Call Resistance : Every strike has positive Net GEX, meaning a return to this range would likely support further balanced upside or sideways movement.
Below 375 : The next PUT support is at 350, so a break below this level could open the door for a deeper drop.
There are 3 weeks until expiration. IV and IVR remain high even after earnings.
Despite today’s selloff, the high call pricing skew is still attractive if we want to collect credit.
In this case, a call butterfly or broken-wing call butterfly could be worth considering—but strictly based on GEX levels.
PS: FINAL GEX ZONE COLORING SHEET
[02/03] AAPL GEX Outlook for February expirationWhile iPhone sales faced some challenges, Apple’s diversified revenue streams and high-margin services business continue to showcase the company’s resilience. The stock initially reacted positively after earnings, but the broader market disagreed during open hours, leading to a sell-off on Friday.
Now, let’s analyze the GEX chart together. For NASDAQ:AAPL , I’ve chosen the First Monthly Expiration (Febr 21), as multiple high gamma exposure expirations align with this date. Since we trade stocks and ETFs over a broader timeframe, rather than day trading, this is the most relevant perspective.
Key GEX Levels & Market Implications
📌 Uncertainty Below 250
Friday’s sell-off and today’s premarket action have weakened the outlook.
GAMMA FLIP ZONE:
AAPL is currently in the 230-237.5 Transition Zone, meaning price action can shift quickly in either direction.
📌 Break Below 230?
A move below 230 would open the door to 220.
📌 Put Support at 220
Implied volatility (IV) remains high, making this an attractive setup for a potential neutral post-earnings trade.
With a 220-250 range, we remain well inside the OTM 16-delta zone for March expiration, which is ideal for premium selling strategies for high IV.
PS: FINAL GEX ZONE COLORING SHEET
[01/20] GEX Outlook: Decision, Key Levels and Looming VolatilityLooking at the GEX levels through Friday, we can see that since mid-December, the market has been moving in a slightly downward channel.
Above 6000–6025: A call gamma squeeze is expected.
Between 5925 and 6000: A sideways “chop zone.”
Below 5925: The high-volatility zone begins, with 5800–5850 acting as our major support/resistance level characterized by heavy put dominance.
Below that level lies a “total denial zone.” We’ve seen this scenario before—think back to the red candle on December 18, when the price broke below that threshold. This “red zone” is currently around 5800, so below 5925 we can anticipate large-amplitude moves.
At this point, the market still does not seem worried about significant volatility. Until Friday, all NETGEX values for every expiration are positive , so market participants are pricing in more of a sideways movement. We haven’t yet seen a big pickup in volatility.
I’m not pessimistic, but keep in mind that Trump’s inauguration might usher in a high-volatility period—something the market and many retail traders haven’t experienced in a while. Better safe than sorry.
Weekly GEX Insights: 01/13 SPX dropTotal Correction? What Can an Options Trader Do in This Situation? How Far Might We Fall This Week? We’ll tackle these questions in this week’s options newsletter!
It looks like the new president hasn’t even been sworn in yet, but the market is already reacting with fear to every statement he makes. Last week’s economic data didn’t help ease those concerns either.
SPX Weekly Analysis
Friday’s red candle set a bearish tone heading into this week. Everyone is predicting and pricing in a potential market apocalypse, and I keep getting the same question: “Greg, how far can we fall?”
My answer remains the same: we can fall indefinitely—nobody can know for certain ahead of time.
What we can do, however, is analyze our charts and use the our weekly GEX profile to identify the key levels, so we can better understand the market’s dynamics.
Examining expirations through Friday, every NETGEX profile is negative , so we can expect volatile movements this week. We’re currently trading below the HVL level, which means that market makers are likely to move in tandem with retail traders. This typically results in bigger swings.
We already saw this heightened volatility last week—just look at the size of the candles, and you can tell how quickly sentiment can shift.
Below 5965 (the HVL level), we are in a high volatility zone what lies underneath?
1st Support Range: 5780–5800
5800: Currently the strongest PUT support level on the downside. A correction may pause here due to profit-taking.
Right beneath this level is the previous gap-fill zone. Remember, these areas function as ranges rather than single lines, as I’ve highlighted down to 5780. This could easily be a take-profit target for traders playing gap fills—an approach that’s quite popular.
2nd Support Range: 5700–5650 (Very Strong)
Starting at 5700: We encounter another robust PUT support zone.
This area is reinforced by previous lows, previous highs, and the 4/8 grid boundary from our indicator.
Even if nowhere else, many expect at least a local rebound to occur within these levels.
Putting it all together, it’s clear that the weekly trading range is shaping up to be roughly between 5680 and 5965, expecting big & volatile moves.
Remember, CPI and PPI data are coming out on Tuesday and Wednesday, which could trigger additional volatility.
When looking at SPX, SPY, or /ES futures, my opinion is that the rapidly spiking implied volatility (IV) during a market drop, along with a PUT pricing skew, can present favorable opportunities for options traders. The distance to the strongest lower support zone is around 100–150 points, so you could:
Trade directionally for the short term—hoping to be either right or wrong quickly, or
Try to profit from the market situation in a more strategic way (which is what I typically do).
Personally, I prefer the second approach:
I’ll open short-term (a few days) credit put ratio spreads for a small credit, which gives me a wide breakeven range and a big “tent” on the downside.
11/18 Volatility Zones: Gamma Squeeze, Chop, and Support LevelsWeekly GEX Levels for SPX:
The SPX analysis from last week’s free newsletter seems to have played out well. If you recall, based on the weekly GEX levels, there were no significant gamma levels below 5950. As soon as the price dropped below that, we saw the anticipated red gap-down to 5850 by Friday.
With Friday's move, SPX shifted from a positive NETGEX range to a negative one:
Let’s not forget: a negative gamma range means that market makers move in the same direction as retail traders, increasing the likelihood of stronger price movements, regardless of the market’s direction. Until the 5900 HVL level is reclaimed, I don’t expect this to change. As we saw today, there was a nice bounce off this level with a rejection, making it a tough resistance to break.
If it does manage to break through, there’s currently a call gamma wall at 5925. Clearing this level could open the door to higher ranges again.
While the week is still long, if the market fails to regain stability by Friday, breaking below the major 5850 PUT gamma wall could lead to another rapid move down, similar to last Friday, targeting the 5810–5800 range.
Gamma Squeeze Zones for SP:SPX & AMEX:SPY this week:
Above 5925:
Gamma squeeze zone, where upward momentum can accelerate.
Chop Zone:
Between 5900 and 5930: Sideways movement expected, with the market consolidating in this range.
High Volatility Zone:
Below 5900: High volatility zone, indicating increased intensity in market movements.
Market Makers Hedging Behavior Shift Zone:
Around 5900: A critical zone where market makers may adjust their hedging strategies.
Call Resistance:
Below 5940: Reduced volatility expected as call resistance limits upward movement.
Put Support Levels:
Around 5850: Highest negative NETGEX/PUT support level.
Between 5810 and 5800: Additional put support levels acting as key supports; if 5850 broken, turbulence is expected.
IV and Skew Data:
IVR: 16.9 increasing
IV Average: 14.9 increasing
PUT pricing skew: 31.5%
GEX levels of SPX for Weekly Option TradersAlthough the SPX is currently trading within a relatively neutral positive gamma range, it’s worth taking a closer look at what the week might hold.
This week, SPX is moving between critical resistance and support levels, which are showing significant options activity. The 5900 level is the key CALL resistance, acting as the gamma wall for the next 7 days (7DTE) . This suggests that as long as the price remains below this level, it will face strong resistance in moving higher. If the market breaks through this level, it could signal a bullish breakout, leading to increased turbulence.
🟨 DETAILED VIEW:
In case of a breakout, keep an eye on the second weaker CALL wall at 5925 and the third weaker CALL wall at 5940, which are the next potential resistance levels once the market moves past the 5900 gamma wall. These levels could play a pivotal role in the price’s upward movement and indicate further buying pressure.
🔶 HVL Level and Gamma Environment: 5830
The 5830 level represents the High Volatility Level (HVL), which determines whether we are in a positive or negative gamma environment. If SPX closes below this level, we enter the negative gamma zone, which could lead to increased market volatility. This could result in sharper price movements during the week if this level does not hold. In that case, the PUT supports come into focus.
The 5750 level marks the strongest PUT support, providing substantial downward support for the market. However, before reaching this level, it’s important to consider the emerging PUT wall at 5765, which may stop the price from falling lower. This could act as an intermediate support, slowing or even halting a decline before the 5750 level comes into play.
🔶 Implied Volatility and Time-Based Strategic Opportunities NOW
The decrease in implied volatility, as shown by the IV and IVx indicators, signals a calmer market environment. Based on IV rank and average IV levels, volatility is running lower, which presents good opportunities for various spread strategies, especially time spreads that can be optimized between the 11/01 and 11/04 time frame.
Key levels above could fuel further market movement throughout the week if a breakout occurs. CALL/PUT gamma levels on the options chain strongly outline the potential resistance and support levels, but these levels can change dynamically, especially if SPX breaks through the 5900 level.
🔶 SPX Key Levels This Week:
5900 CALL resistance – Main gamma wall, strong resistance.
5925 and 5940 – Second and third weaker CALL walls, offering additional resistance if broken.
5830 HVL – Key level determining the gamma environment.
5765 PUT wall – Emerging intermediate PUT support, which could slow a decline.
5750 PUT support – Strongest PUT gamma wall and support.
Keep these levels in mind throughout the week, as they will likely influence market movements and the volatility environment. By applying the right options strategies, this information can help you structure profitable positions.
11/04 Weekly SPX Market Analysis with seamless GEX levelsThe U.S. presidential election is on November 5, and this week we can expect increased volatility due to the uncertainty. For options traders, one thing is certain: volatility will likely rise leading up to the election, peak around the results, and then gradually subside as the “fireworks” end. It’s essential to consider this in every trading decision.
While the current Implied Volatility (IVx) isn’t extremely high, the IV Rank (IVR) is quite strong at 41, and this is likely to remain due to the increasing uncertainty. Based on the blue OTM (Out of The Money) delta curves, the market is currently pricing in a strong downward movement for the week, aligning with the negative gamma zone and negative gamma profile. For a bullish shift, we would need a strong push above 5845 to enter positive gamma territory (HVL level is the battleneck).
⏩ The 5700 level is a key PUT support across multiple timeframes. If this level breaks, turbulence is expected, with increased downward movement likely to follow, first to 5650 and potentially down to 5600, where larger PUT gamma walls are located.
⏩ According to the 16-delta OTM curve, a close above the previous all-time high is less likely. If there’s a strong breakout to the upside, the positive gamma threshold stands at 5850, and above this, buyer pressure could extend up to 5925.
⏩ I consider the 5700-5845 range as a “chop zone,” where high volatility is expected this week. In this zone, bears and bulls will be in constant battle, and I do not expect a clear trend. I focused on Friday’s expiration in this analysis, as market outlooks remain highly uncertain ahead of the election.
The strong PUT pricing skew is a natural phenomenon and is expected to increase, especially since we are in a negative gamma zone. For December expirations, PUT options cost nearly twice as much as CALL options, as shown by our oscillator for 12/20 expiry.
There’s already ~6% IV backwardation between the 11/08 and 11/11 expirations, making this ideal for time spreads. However, caution is warranted—front-month PUT calendar and diagonal spreads can easily turn negative if front IV rises more than back IV.
Remember! It’s not mandatory to trade during highly uncertain periods! Staying out of the market is also a position, and sitting in cash is actually the safest choice, especially in a volatile week like this.
⏩ You can check my previous week's analysis, every one was accurate, I hope this one will useful too.
10/28 SPX
10/21 SPX
10/14 SPX
10/28 QQQ
10/14 QQQ
Weekly GEX levels of QQQNASDAQ:QQQ began the week in positive territory at Monday’s open, with the current gamma profile projecting positive momentum through Friday as the price is positioned above the HVL level (496). Notably, below this HVL level is a substantial "vacuum" area, so if the High Volatility Level (496) fails to hold, we could quickly see a drop to 485, where Gamma Walls provide PUT resistance at 485, 482.5, and 480.
Key levels to note are:
Highest Call Wall / Call Resistance (500): This level, with the highest positive Net GEX value, may act as a significant resistance. Price momentum may slow upon reaching this level, as positive gamma stabilizes the movement. However, if it breaks through, 505 and then 510 could come into play.
2nd Highest Call Wall (510) and 3rd Highest Call Wall (505): These additional resistance levels could present further obstacles as QQQ’s price moves up, both showing high positive gamma activity that may limit upward momentum.
PUT Gamma Wall / Put Support (480): This is the most important support level, where negative gamma presence may buffer price drops. However, if this level is breached downward, declines could accelerate.
2nd Put Wall (485) and 3rd Put Wall (482) : These levels may serve as additional support points, providing buffers in case of further price declines.
Weekly GEX of SPX | Option Chain Analysis for Option TradersI’d like to share my thoughts below after analyzing the SPX option chain. In this analysis, I focus exclusively on the weekly time range, examining the SPX option chain and the changes in top-tier options metrics.
🔶 Breakout and Bullish Outlook
Last Friday's price action saw the SPX break through the 5800 call gamma wall, generating strong bullish momentum . This breakout opens the door for further upward movement throughout the week, especially if buying pressure persists. Breaking through a call gamma wall often leads to a rapid price increase, as these levels act as resistance, but once broken, they support further upward moves.
However, caution is advised, as additional call gamma levels (around 5850 and 5875) could act as resistance, where the price may stall. These levels can reverse roles and, if the price falters, could act as significant resistance, potentially leading to a pullback toward the 5800 level.
🔴 Put Skew and IVx Changes
The put pricing skew on the Options Oscillator shows a declining trend, meaning that while put options are still more expensive than calls at equivalent strikes, this trend is softening when looking at the November expiration. This indicates a weakening of put options relative to calls, which could be another bullish signal as demand for puts may be declining.
The five-day IVx average declining , indicating a decrease in market volatility = VIX is melting down.
🟨 Backwardation and Diagonal/Calendar Strategy Opportunities
It's also worth noting the 10.5% backwardation based on the IV skew for the expirations between 10/18 and 10/21 (4/7DTE). This backwardation (downward sloping volatility curve) could benefit calendar and diagonal spread strategies, as options with different expirations have varying volatility conditions.
🔶 GEX Wall Levels: Where Is Support and Resistance?
🔹Gamma Exposure (GEX) levels continue to play a crucial role in the market’s movements:
🔹On the upside, the largest call gamma wall for the next 7 days is at 5850, while the 5875 level may also act as significant resistance. The 5875 is a more likely a realistic bullish target, supported by the Options Overlay’s blue OTM delta 16 probability curve.
🔹On the downside, the 5750 put support level currently offers strong support, with sellers forming a barrier here. The 5800 level is also interesting because it was the largest call gamma level last week, meaning there could be significant volatility as bulls and bears battle around this point.
(NOTE: GEX levels is not part of the TanukiTrade Options Overlay indicator yet. The automatic GEX levels will be available by the end of October.)
🟨 How Delta 16 Curves Define My Rational Price Range in Options Trading
The blue OTM Delta 16 curves from the Options Overlay define the rational probability range for me based on a lognormal distribution. This is important because there’s a 68% chance the price will stay within this range by expiration. These values are also visible in the Overlay Expiry table.
This represents the 68% probability range defined by OTM 16 delta PUTs and OTM 16 delta CALLs, showing a clear directional expected move value. It provides an insightful view of the expected price movement’s directional range, often used by delta-neutral strangle traders like those at TastyTrade.
⅀ SPX Summary
The SPX options chain is showing a bullish direction with the breakout above 5800, but it will be key to watch the gamma levels where the market might stall this week. The rising IV and declining put skew trend could provide further signals that the bull market might continue, but the possibility of resistance or a pullback remains. For those considering diagonal strategies, the backwardation may offer interesting opportunities to capitalize on.
(NOTE: GEX levels is not part of the TanukiTrade Options Overlay indicator yet. The automatic GEX levels will be available soon, by the end of October!)
Options Blueprint Series [Advanced]: Reverse Time Iron Condors1. Introduction
In today’s advanced options trading discussion, we introduce a unique structure—"Reverse Time Iron Condors"—using Corn Futures Options (ZCH2025). This sophisticated strategy leverages options with different expiration dates, allowing traders to position themselves for a potential market move in the mid-term.
The Corn market has recently shown signs of slowing momentum, as indicated by technical indicators such as ADX (Average Directional Index) and RSI (Relative Strength Index) applied to ADX. Our analysis shows that RSI applied to ADX is oversold, and RSI is approaching a key crossover signal that could confirm an increase in volatility. Given this setup, the Reverse Diagonal Iron Condor (a.k.a. Reverse Time Iron Condor) structure aligns well with the market’s current conditions over two expiration cycles.
CME Product Specs (Corn Futures ZCH2025)
Contract Size: 5,000 bushels per contract.
Tick Size: 1/4 cent per bushel (0.0025), or $12.50 per tick.
Required Margin: USD $1,200 per contract at the time of producing this article.
2. Market Setup & Analysis
To understand why the Reverse Time Iron Condor is suitable for Corn Futures right now, let’s delve into the technical picture:
ADX Analysis: Corn Futures’ Daily ADX has been dropping, indicating weakening momentum. This signals a period of consolidation, where price volatility remains low.
RSI of ADX: By applying the RSI to the ADX values, we notice that ADX is now oversold, suggesting that momentum could soon pick up.
RSI Crossover: The RSI is nearing a crossover above its moving average, confirming that a new impulse in momentum would be in the process of potentially occur. This technical picture suggests the market could stay in a low-volatility phase for now but break out in the near future.
Based on this technical setup, the strategy we present is to capitalize on the short-term consolidation while preparing for a potential breakout, using the Reverse Diagonal Iron Condor structure.
3. Strategy Breakdown: Reverse Diagonal Iron Condor
The Reverse Diagonal Iron Condor is a unique options structure where you sell longer-term options and buy shorter-term options. This setup generates a negative theta position, meaning time decay works slightly against the trader. However, the strategy compensates for this through positive gamma, which accelerates the delta as the underlying market moves, especially during a breakout. This combination allows the position to profit from a sharp move in either direction, with relatively limited cost.
For this trade on Corn Futures (ZCH2025), the structure is as follows:
Sell 450 Call (21 Feb 2025), Buy 455 Call (27 Dec 2024): This creates a short diagonal call spread, where the February short call decays slowly due to the longer expiration, and the December long call acts as a short-term hedge against an early rise in prices.
Sell 410 Put (21 Feb 2025), Buy 405 Put (27 Dec 2024): Similarly, this forms a short diagonal put spread. The February short put is subject to less time decay, while the December long put protects against a sharp downward move before its expiration.
Key Mechanics:
Time Decay (Theta): Although the trade has negative theta, the impact of time decay is relatively small because the February options decay slowly due to their longer-term expiration.
Gamma and Delta: The positive gamma in this position means that if a breakout occurs before the December expiration, the delta will increase significantly, making the trade more sensitive to price changes. This could more than offset the negative theta, allowing the trade to capture large gains from a significant price move.
Objective:
The goal is for Corn prices to experience an impulsive move (either up or down) before the December 2024 expiration of the long legs, allowing the positive gamma to boost the position’s delta. If this breakout occurs, the potential profits from the price move will likely surpass the small losses due to time decay. The structure is ideal for markets in consolidation that may be on the verge of a volatility surge, as the falling ADX and oversold RSI suggest.
This strategy is particularly well-suited for Corn Futures (ZCH2025), given the current technical setup, where a near-term consolidation phase might be followed by an explosive move in either direction. The success of this trade relies on a timely breakout occurring before the December expiration, after which the position may need adjustment to manage risk.
4. Risk Profile at Initial Setup
The initial risk profile for this trade reminds us of an Iron Condor risk profile, with the best case being a range-bound corn market between 410 and 450.
Important Consideration: This risk profile does not reflect the final outcome because the trade spans two different options cycles. The December options will expire first, which means adjustments may be necessary after that expiration to maintain protection.
Note on Options Simulation Tool:
It's important to mention that the options simulation tool provided by TradingView is currently still in its beta stage. While it offers useful insights for analyzing and visualizing options strategies, traders should be aware that certain features may be limited, and results might not always reflect all real-world conditions. For a more comprehensive analysis, it is recommended to complement the simulation with other tools such as the Options Strategy Simulator available in the CME Group website.
5. Optional Trade Management After December Expiration
Once the December 2024 long options expire, you will face two possible scenarios. In both cases, managing the February 2025 short options is crucial:
o Scenario 1: Corn Prices Remain Range-Bound:
If Corn futures continue to trade within the 450-410 range, the December long options will expire worthless.
In this case, the strategy shifts to managing the February short options, which will benefit from time decay. Monitor the market closely and consider whether to buy new protection for the remaining February short options.
o Scenario 2: Corn Prices Break Out:
If Corn futures break above 450 or below 410 prior to the December expiration, the February short options could expose the position to significant risk if we allow them to expire.
One potential action is to purchase new long options within the range (for example, buy the 445 call and the 415 put using 21 February 2025 expiration). While many other actions could be valid, a common and probably the simplest approach could be to close all legs in time for a likely profit at this moment.
6. Risk Management
Effective risk management is essential in any options strategy, especially one as advanced as a Reverse Diagonal Iron Condor. Below are key points to ensure this trade stays within your risk tolerance:
o Position Sizing:
Given the complexity of this trade, ensure that the size of your position fits within your overall risk management plan. Avoid over-leveraging, as unexpected price movements can lead to significant losses once the December long options expire.
o Monitor Key Levels:
Keep an eye on the 450 strike (resistance) and 410 strike (support). If Corn breaks these levels early in the trade, consider closing the position or making adjustments.
o Volatility Management:
The success of this trade hinges on an increase in market momentum.
7. Conclusion
The Reverse Diagonal Iron Condor is an advanced options strategy where the long positions have a shorter expiration than the short positions, creating a negative theta position. Instead of benefiting from time decay as in a traditional Iron Condor, this strategy is designed to take advantage of expected volatility increases over time. By selling longer-term options and buying shorter-term options, traders are positioning themselves for a volatility breakout or significant price movement before the near-term options expire.
In this setup, time decay has a limited negative impact on the position, but the key advantage lies in the positive gamma. This means that if a breakout occurs, the position’s delta will accelerate, potentially outpacing the slight negative effect of theta. Traders should closely monitor the December expiration, as the success of the trade hinges on the anticipated large move happening before this date. This structure is particularly well-suited for Corn Futures (ZCH2025), given the falling ADX and RSI, which suggest a potential momentum shift. The strategy is designed to benefit from a significant price move with limited cost, assuming the breakout occurs within the timeframe of the December long options.
When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
Demand on OilOil is presenting to us clear (marked with green rectangle) demand zone presented on chart. Yesterday there were multiple strong demand signals there identified real-time by Scanner. This zone becomes still valid, especially as it's placed within today's Balance Zone (between Gamma +0.25 and Gamma -0.25). Following price structure, it is supposed to retest demand zone from top and continue up move. Alternative scenario would expect to observe on chart consolidation in demand zone, as it's marked by market as fair price area.
SPX 30min Chart with GEX Levels & Major Piviot pointsAnalyzing the major pivots in a top-down approach in the context of trading volatility, and aligning them with TradingVolatility's calculated cumulative gamma levels, particularly focusing on the highest three expiration strikes, offers valuable insights into market dynamics and risk management.
1.Top-Down Approach:
The top-down approach involves starting with a broad view of the market and then drilling down into specific details. In the context of trading, this might mean beginning with a macroeconomic analysis, industry analysis, or a broad market overview before delving into individual securities or specific trading strategies. This approach helps traders gain a comprehensive understanding of the overall market conditions.
2. Major Pivots:
Major pivots refer to critical points or levels in the market that often act as turning points for price action. These could include support and resistance levels, trendlines, or significant historical price points. Traders use these pivots to make decisions regarding entry and exit points in their trading strategies.
3. TradingVolatility's Calculated Cumulative Gamma Levels:
TradingVolatility appears to be a tool or platform that provides data and insights related to options trading, including the calculation of cumulative gamma levels. Gamma represents the rate of change in an option's delta concerning a change in the underlying asset's price. Cumulative gamma levels can indicate the overall sensitivity of a portfolio to changes in the underlying asset's price. Traders use this data to assess risk exposure and to make informed decisions.
4. Highest Three Expiration Strikes:
Options have various expiration dates and strike prices. The highest three expiration strikes refer to the options contracts with the most significant open interest or trading activity. These are often the ones that have the most influence on market dynamics and can be crucial in managing options portfolios.
Now, let's put these elements together:
By employing a top-down approach, traders start with a macro-level analysis of the market. They then identify major pivots, which could be key support and resistance levels, trendlines, or important historical price levels. This step helps traders establish the broader context for their trading decisions.
Next, traders use TradingVolatility's calculated cumulative gamma levels. These levels offer insights into the sensitivity of their options portfolios to changes in the underlying asset's price. By aligning these gamma levels with the highest three expiration strikes, traders can gain a clearer picture of their risk exposure and the potential impact of major market movements on their portfolios.
For instance, if the cumulative gamma levels are high near these critical pivots, it suggests that options traders have substantial exposure to potential price swings in the underlying asset. This information can guide traders in making decisions about risk management, such as adjusting their positions, implementing hedges, or selecting strategies that align with their risk tolerance.
In summary, a top-down approach, combined with a focus on major pivots and cumulative gamma levels of the highest three expiration strikes, provides traders with a well-rounded perspective on market conditions and risk exposure, helping them make more informed trading decisions and manage their portfolios effectively.
EOSE Short Squeeze Potential !EOSE went down this month from $5.70 to $1.24, the CEO accessing a short sellers attack on the stock.
Now considering the pre-market volume, and the fact that the stock is already up 13%, I believe it has a short squeeze potential to the next resistances of $3.30, then $4.90.
Eos Energy Enterprises designs, manufactures, and markets zinc-based energy storage solutions for utility, commercial and industrial, and microgrid markets in the United States. T
he company's flagship product is the Eos Znyth DC system, a battery that can be used as an alternative to Li-ion batteries.
Looking forward to read your opinion about it.
⚖️OPTIONS TRADING: What are the Greeks?The Greeks are a set of mathematical measures used in options trading to assess and quantify various factors that influence the price and behavior of options.
📌 VEGA :
Vega is a measure of how much an option's premium will change in response to a 1% change in implied volatility. Implied volatility represents the market's expectation of the underlying security's future movement. When implied volatility is high, options tend to be more expensive, and when it is low, options are cheaper. Vega is particularly influential for options with longer expiration dates, as volatility has a greater impact on their prices. As an option approaches expiration, Vega decreases, while it increases as the underlying security moves closer to the strike price. Essentially, Vega is highest when the option is at-the-money and decreases as it goes out-of-the-money or in-the-money.
📌GAMMA
Gamma, represents the rate of change between an option's Delta and the price of the underlying asset. Higher Gamma values indicate that even small price changes in the underlying stock or fund can cause significant changes in the option's Delta. At-the-money options have the highest Gamma because their Deltas are most sensitive to underlying price movements. For instance, if XYZ is priced at $100.00 and a XYZ $100.00 call option is considered at-the-money, any price movement in either direction will push the option into either in-the-money or out-of-the-money territory. This high sensitivity to stock movement is reflected in the option's Gamma, making Gamma higher for at-the-money options.
📌THETA
Theta represents the theoretical daily decay of an option's premium, assuming all other factors remain constant. As time passes, options gradually lose value, and this loss is known as time value decay. The decay of time value is more significant as the expiration date approaches, particularly for near-the-money options. Theta does not behave linearly; instead, it accelerates as expiration nears. A higher Theta indicates that the option's value will decay more rapidly over time. Short-dated options, especially those near-the-money, tend to have higher Theta because there is greater urgency for the underlying asset to move in a favorable direction before expiration. Theta is negative for long (purchased) positions and positive for short (sold) positions, regardless of whether the option is a call or a put.
📌RHO
Rho measures an option's sensitivity to changes in the risk-free interest rate and is expressed as the amount of money the option will gain or lose with a 1% change in interest rates. Changes in interest rates can affect an option's value because they impact the cost of carrying the position over time. This effect is more significant for longer-term options compared to near-term options. Higher stock prices and longer time until expiration generally lead to greater sensitivity to interest rate changes, resulting in higher absolute Rho values. Rho is positive for long calls (the right to buy) and increases with the stock price. It is negative for long puts (the right to sell) and approaches zero as the stock price increases. Rho is positive for short puts (the obligation to buy) and negative for short calls (the obligation to sell).
📌DELTA
Delta is a measure that estimates how much an option's value may change with a $1 increase or decrease in the price of the underlying security. Delta values range from -1 to +1, where 0 indicates minimal movement of the option premium relative to changes in the underlying stock price. Delta is positive for long stocks, long calls, and short puts, which are considered bullish strategies. Conversely, Delta is negative for short stocks, short calls, and long puts, which are bearish strategies. A Delta of +1 is assigned to long stock shares, while a Delta of -1 is assigned to short stock shares. An option's Delta can range from -1 to +1, and the closer it is to +1 or -1, the more sensitive the option premium is to changes in the underlying security.
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JHQDX has an uphill climb to close at the Call
JHQDX Jan Roll was predicted well ahead of this idea, but I used some chartArt to emphasize it's predictive capabilities.
Quants on fintwit still reject my claims.
if Modelling 1-6 months out down to the strike and day wasn't enough.
Or predicting the bottom with a price target.
For April Roll my indicators are telling me the Call is a to heavy to climb in only 4 days so I'm going to have to predict we find a path to the more neutral area of Zero Gamma of 4050 which also happened back in July 2022.
What is GEX?Gex is short for Gamma Exposure.
I started tracking gamma exposure over a year ago. In fact I posted an idea with a really good explanation idea of gamma exposure but the idea was banned and I never got around to reposting.
So many private messages asking me to explain GEX, I decided to repost the banned post without the restricted content in it. If you want the restricted content, send me a message and I will send you the link
==== Original Idea posted March 6th 2022 ========
I finished updating the simple GEX tool. This tool is for educational purposes only and gives a very basic/naive overview of gamma exposure for any Ticker.
So What is GEX?
GEX stands for Gamma EXposure. Options are derivatives of financial assets that give investors more.. options. Gamma is the rate of change in an options delta per 1-point move in the underlying asset's price. When someone buys an option, there is typically a market maker (dealer) that needs to sell that option to you. Because the dealer does not want to take directional risk on the other side of the option, they hedge the option by buying or selling the underlying asset. As the price changes, the dealer must continuously make changes to that hedge to remain delta neutral.
Gamma Exposure, in this tool's case, Naive Gamma Exposure is an estimated measurement of gamma exposure that a dealer has taken on based on the full options chain's open interest. It is an estimate because nobody really knows if an option's open interest was bought or sold to a dealer.
Negative\Positive Gamma is hedged differently by dealers. If a dealer is positive gamma they will sell the rally (price up) and buy the dips (price down). Positive gamma creates a supportive and less volatile, more liquid market. If a dealer is negative gamma they will buy the rally and sell the dips. Negative gamma creates more selling pressure and more volatility, an illiquid market.
Zero Gamma or Gamma Flip is the assumed point at which dealers would flip from negative gamma exposure to positive. When the dealer is positive gamma, the Zero Gamma strike will usually act as support. When the dealer is negative gamma, the Zero Gamma strike acts as resistance.
GEX can measure individual asset gamma exposure but is more effective at measuring overall market indexes such as SPX and NDX. GEX shouldn’t be used as a directional measurement, but more of a volatility indicator.
Notional GEX is the dealers notional (total dollars) exposure in 1% move in the underlying assets price. If SPX is -20B for example, dealers will have to buy 20 billion in underlying shares for every 1% move up, or sell 20 billion for every 1% move down.
Option Quotes are delayed by 15 minutes from the open and close of the Regular Trading Hours.
Disclaimer: The GEX tool is meant to be used for educational purposes only. It is NOT meant to be used for/as financial advice. Use at your own risk.
The reason I included the JHEQX HEF Pin is because of how the different expirations effect the markets at different times.
The general idea I like to emphasize in my naive understanding of these market mechanics is TIME.
Notice in the following ideas from the past 3 months all have the 4165 HEF Pin in the forecast.
This is only possible by calculating the Gamma Exposure of the options sold to JPM and making some assumptions (next time).
Intraday ES 22nd March - Gamma + Options + Darkpool analysisGEX: Positive
Price above Gamma Flip Point - decreased Volatility
Structure of Gamma: Mostly negative, spread across multiple strikes
Expected Range: 3991 - 4077
Most probable end-of-day outcome: Price close above most negative gamma spikes (3990, 3940, 3840). Therefore Key Support is at 3940.
Gamma Spikes chart from my AI Data Analysis software
Yesterday's session was skyrocketing and honestly despite observing incoming Supply to the market near Resistance, price reacted weak to this area and after couple of hours continued to increase. As the result, we fulfilled most probable end-of-day outcome, but plan wasn't met accordingly to my expectations. Well, this is market magic 🙂
For today's session, we have similar expected end-of-day outcome where Support at 3940 is below bottom level of expected trading range at 3991. In general, on 3990 we see gamma spike, so this level works as significant support too. After climbing up, any supports are much lower than level of current price so seems the market can start shifting into Bullish sentiment. It's too early to confirm that, but something is happening. Let's keep observing.
From Resistance perspective, we have spike at 4040. Plan for today's trades I marked on second chart attached to analysis. Good luck!
S&P 500 200-DayAt a critical juncture while hanging on a pivot for both 200D and zero gamma.
The 200D regression trend turned up positive as the tail is now at the peak of aug bull rally.
Total S&P 500 gamma is neutral around zero gamma / 4k.
No vol events and no flows from options means lower daily distributions.
Bulls
- Slow grind up here into CPI.
- Low CPI/PPI Only on Mar14/15.
- VANNA/CHARM flows to pick back up
- Target is ~405 JHEQX Call Pin
Bears
- Bears have not had a lot of help from any negative gamma
- A turn below 200D would give the acceleration lower needed to go negative
- Target is JHEQX Put at ~363