Long Straddle (Buy Straddle) Vs Short Condor (Short Call Condor) Options Trading Strategy Comparison

The strategy is perfect to use when there is market volatility expected due to results, elections, budget, policy change, war etc.

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 not sure on the direction the underlying would move but are expecting the rise in its 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.

• Buy Call Option
• Buy Put Option

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.

A straddle has two break-even points.

Lower Breakeven = Strike Price of Put - Net Premium

Upper breakeven = Strike Price of Call + 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

The maximum loss for long straddle strategy is limited to the net premium paid. It happens the price of underlying is equal to strike price of options.

Maximum Loss = 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.

There is unlimited profit opportunity in this strategy irrespective of the direction of the underlying. Profit occurs when the price of the underlying is greater than strike price of long Put or lesser than strike price of long Call.

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

Max profit is achieved when at one option is exercised.

All options exercised or not exercised

When both options are not exercised. This happens when underlying asset price on expire remains at the strike price.

Both ITM Calls exercised

Earns you unlimited profit in a volatile market while minimizing the loss.

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.

The price change has to be bigger to make good 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.