Bull Put Spread Vs Short Condor (Short Call Condor) Options Trading Strategy Comparison

This strategy works well when you're of the view that the price of a particular underlying will rise, move sideways, or marginally fall.

The Short Call Condor works well when you expect the price of the underlying to be very volatile. In other words, when the trader is anticipating massive price movements (in any direction) in the underlying during the lifetime of the options.

When you are unsure about the direction in the movement in the price of the underlying but are expecting high volatility in it in the near future.

• Buy OTM Put Option
• Sell ITM Put Option

A Bull Put Strategy involves Buy OTM Put Option + Sell ITM Put Option.

For example, If you are of the view that the price of Reliance Shares will moderately gain or drop its volatility in near future. If Reliance is currently trading at 600 then you will buy a OTM PUT OPTION at 700 and a sell a ITM PUT OPTION at 550. You will make a profit when at expiry Reliance closes at 700 level and incur losses if the prices fall down below the current price.

Suppose Nifty is trading at 10,400. If you expect high volatility in the Nifty in the coming days then you can execute Short Call Condor by selling 1 ITM Nifty Call at 10,200, buying 1 ITM Call at 10,300, buying 1 OTM Call Option at 10, 500 and selling 1 OTM Nifty Call at 10, 600. Your maximum loss will be if Nifty closes in the range of 10,300 to 10,500 on expiry while maximum profit will be on either side of upper or lower strikes.

There are 2 break even points in this strategy. The upper break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the difference between strike price of highest strike shot call and net premium paid. The lower break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the strike price of lowest strike short call and net premium paid.

Lower Breakeven = Lower Strike Price + Net Premium

Upper breakeven = Higher Strike Price - Net Premium

Maximum loss occurs when the stock price moves below the lower strike price on expiration date.

Max Loss = (Strike Price Put 1 - Strike Price of Put 2) - Net Premium Received

Max Loss Occurs When Price of Underlying <= Strike Price of Long Put

This is a limited risk strategy. The maximum risk in a short call condor strategy is calculated as below:

Max Loss = Strike Price of Lower Strike Long Call - Strike Price of Lower Strike Short Call - Net Premium Received + Commissions Paid

The max risk is when the price of the underlying remains in between strike price of 2 long calls.

Maximum profit happens when the price of the underlying moves above the strike price of Short Put on expiration date.

Max Profit = Net Premium Received

The maximum profit in a short call condor strategy is realized when the price of the underlying is trading outside the range at time of expiration.<.p>

Max Profit = Strike Price of Lower Strike Short Call - Strike Price of Lower Strike Long Call - Net Premium Paid

Both options unexercised

All options exercised or not exercised

Both options exercised

Both ITM Calls exercised

Allows you to benefit from time decay in profit situations. Helps you profit from 3 scenarios: rise, sideway movements and marginal fall of the underlying.

It allows you to profit from highly volatile underlying assets moving in any direction.

The maximum profit for the condor trade may be low in relation to other trading strategies but it has a comparatively wider profit zone.

Earn profit with little or no investment as you will have a credit of net premiums.

Limited profit. Time decay may go against you in loss situations.

Strike prices selected may have an impact on the potential of profit.

Brokerage and taxes make a significant impact on the profits from this strategy. The cost of trading increases with the number of legs. This strategy has 4 legs and thus the brokerage cost is higher.