Long Call Butterfly Vs Short Condor (Short Call Condor) Options Trading Strategy Comparison

This strategy should be used when you're expecting no volatility in the price of the underlying.

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.

Neutral on the underlying asset and bearish on the volatility.

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.

• Sell 2 ATM Call
• Buy 1 ITM Call
• Buy 1 OTM Call

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.

Upper Breakeven = Higher Strike Price - Net Premium

Lower Breakeven = Lower Strike Price + Net Premium

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

Risk in the Long Call Butterfly options strategy is limited to the net premium paid.

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.

Rewards in the Long Call Butterfly options strategy is limited to the adjacent strikes minus net premium debit.

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

Only ITM Call exercised

All options exercised or not exercised

All options exercised or all options not exercised.

Both ITM Calls exercised

Profit earning strategy with limited risk in a less volatile market.

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.

Premiums and brokerage paid on multiple position may eat your profits.

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.