Synthetic Call Vs Long Condor (Long Call Condor) Options Trading Strategy Comparison

A Synthetic Call option strategy is when a trader is Bullish on long term holdings but is also concerned with the associated downside risk.

The Long Call Condor works well when you expect the price of the underlying to be range bound in the coming days. In other words, when the trader is anticipating minimal price movement 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 little volatility in it in the near future.

• Buy Underlying
• Buy Put Option

The strategy is used by buying PUT OPTION of the underlying you're holding for long. If the price of the underlying rises then you make profits on holdings. If it falls then your loss will be limited to the premium paid for PUT OPTION.

• Buy Deep ITM Call Option
• Buy Deep OTM Call Option
• Sell ITM Call Option
• Sell OTM Call Option

Suppose Nifty is currently trading at 10,400. You expect little volatility in the index and market to largely remain range bound. To profit in such a market scenario, you can buy buy 1 ITM Nifty Call Option at 10,200, sells 1 ITM Nifty Call Option 10,300, sell 1 OTM Call Option at 10,500 and buy 1 OTM Nifty Call Option at 10,800. The Net debit of premium is the maximum possible loss while your maximum profit will be when Nifty is between the strike prices of 2 short calls on expiry.

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 higher strike price and net premium paid. The lower break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the total of lower strike price and net premium paid.

Lower Breakeven = Lower Strike Price + Net Premium

Upper breakeven = Higher Strike Price - Net Premium

Maximum loss happens when price of the underlying moves above strike price of Put.

Max Loss = Premium Paid

The maximum risk in a long call condor strategy is equal to the net premium paid at the time of entering the trade. The max risk is when the price of the underlying equal to or below the lower strike price or when the underlying price is equal to or above the higher strike price of Options in trade at expiration time.

Maximum profit is realized when price of underlying moves above purchase price of underlying plus premium paid for Put Option.

Profit = (Current Price of Underlying - Purchase Price of Underlying) - Premium Paid

The maximum profit in a long call condor strategy is realized when the price of the underlying is trading between the two middle strikes at time of expiration.

Underlying goes up

Both ITM Calls exercised

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

Underlying goes down and option exercised

All Options exercised or not exercised

Max Loss = Net Premium Paid

Provides protection to your long term holdings.

It allows you to profit from range bound underlying at low capital. The profit is high with limited risk exposure.

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

You can incur losses if underlying goes down and the option is exercised.

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

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