Short Call (Naked Call) Vs Short Condor (Short Call Condor) Options Trading Strategy Comparison

It is an aggressive strategy and involves huge risks. It should be used only in case where trader is certain about the bearish market view on 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.

When you are expecting the price of the underlying or its volatility to only moderately increase.

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 Call 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.

Break even is achieved when the price of the underlying is equal to total of strike price and premium received.

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

There risk is unlimited and depend on how high the price of the underlying moves.

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.

The profit is limited to the 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

When underline asset goes down and option not exercised.

• Max Profit = Premium Received
• Max Profit Achieved When Price of Underlying <= Strike Price of Short Call

All options exercised or not exercised

When underline asset goes up and option exercised.

• Maximum Loss = Unlimited
• Loss Occurs When Price of Underlying > Strike Price of Short Call + Premium Received
• Loss = Price of Underlying - Strike Price of Short Call - Premium Received

Both ITM Calls exercised

This strategy allows you to profit from falling prices in the underlying asset.

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.

There's unlimited risk on the upside as you are selling Option without holding the underlying.

Rewards are limited to premium received only.

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.