Advanced Institutions Option Trading - Part 8Institutional Option Trading Strategies
Let’s dive deeper into how big players operate:
🔶 Volatility Arbitrage:
Take advantage of IV mispricing across strikes/months.
Long low IV, short high IV – Net neutral delta.
🔶 Dispersion Trading:
Buy individual stock options, short index options.
Profit from correlation divergence.
🔶 Box Spread (Synthetic Arbitrage):
Arbitrage between synthetic long/short positions.
Very low risk, used by HFT desks.
Institutions use algorithms to run thousands of such strategies in real time.
Sensex
Advanced Institutions Option Trading - Part 7Time Decay (Theta) Strategies
Options lose value over time due to Theta Decay.
Strategies to Take Advantage of Theta:
Selling options (Covered Calls, Naked Puts)
Calendar Spreads
Iron Butterflies
Caution:
Theta decay accelerates as expiry nears. Option sellers must hedge their deltas to stay safe.
Risk Management in Options
Institutions and pro traders always focus on capital protection.
🔐 Techniques:
Position sizing (no more than 2-3% risk per trade)
Hedging with opposite legs or underlying
Stop-loss on premium or delta exposure
Use of Greeks for real-time adjustment
Risk management > Strategy in the long run.
Advanced Institutions Option Trading - Part 6 Volatility Tools in Options
Understanding volatility is central to success in option trading:
🌀 Types of Volatility:
Historical Volatility (HV): Based on past prices
Implied Volatility (IV): Market’s expectation of future movement
📊 Volatility-Based Strategies:
High IV: Sell premium – strategies like Iron Condor, Credit Spreads
Low IV: Buy premium – strategies like Long Straddle, Long Call/Put
Tools like IV Rank and IV Percentile help traders choose the right strategy based on volatility regime.
Advanced Institutions Option Trading - Part 5Institutional Tools & Platforms
Bloomberg Terminal / Reuters Eikon: Institutional-grade data
FIX Protocols: For high-frequency option order routing
Quant Models: Statistical arbitrage using Python/R
Option Analytics Engines: Measure IV Skew, Smile, Surface modeling
Institutions don’t just trade options—they engineer risk-managed portfolios using AI and predictive analytics.
Option Chain Analysis for Traders
Option Chain provides a list of all available option contracts for a stock/index.
Key Elements:
Strike Prices
Call & Put Prices
Open Interest (OI)
Volume
Implied Volatility (IV)
Change in OI
Interpretation:
High OI + Rising Price = Strong Trend
IV Surge = High Volatility Expectation
PCR (Put-Call Ratio) = Market Sentiment Indicator
PCR > 1: Bearish sentiment
PCR < 1: Bullish sentiment
Advanced Institutions Option Trading - Part 4 Technical and Fundamental Analysis in Option Trading
Fundamental Analysis: Evaluate company value, earnings, sector performance
Technical Analysis: Price action, patterns, indicators like RSI, MACD
IV & HV Tools: Helps in choosing optimal strike prices based on volatility
Understanding market structure is essential for timing entries/exits in options.
Advanced Institutional Options Trading
Institutions like hedge funds, banks, and proprietary desks use options for complex strategies:
Delta Hedging: Maintain a neutral position
Portfolio Insurance: Using puts during economic downturns
Volatility Arbitrage: Capitalizing on volatility mispricing
Structured Products: Combine options with bonds or equities for customized payoff
These strategies require deep understanding of volatility surfaces, risk models, and massive capital.
Advanced Institutions Option Trading - Part 3Why Trade Options?
Hedging against portfolio loss
Leverage with limited capital
Income generation through strategies like covered calls
Directional trading using strategies like long calls or puts
Investment Strategy using Options
LEAPS (Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities): Investing in long-term call options
Covered Calls: Generate income while holding stocks
Cash-Secured Puts: Earn premium while waiting to buy a stock at lower price
These are often used by investors to add flexibility and income to portfolios.
Advanced Institutions Option TradingFinancial Market is a marketplace where assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and derivatives (like options) are bought and sold.
Key components:
Equity Markets – Shares of companies
Debt Markets – Government or corporate bonds
Derivatives Market – Futures, Options
Currency and Commodity Markets
Options are financial contracts giving the buyer the right (not obligation) to buy/sell an asset at a set price before a specific date.
✅ Types of Options:
Call Option: Right to Buy
Put Option: Right to Sell
✅ Key Terminologies:
Strike Price: Agreed price to buy/sell
Premium: Cost of the option
Expiration Date: Validity of the contract
ITM/ATM/OTM: In-the-money / At-the-money / Out-of-the-money
Advanced Put Call Ratio (PCR)Slide 1: Introduction to Advanced Put Call Ratio (PCR)
The Put Call Ratio (PCR) is a widely used sentiment indicator in options trading. It measures the volume or open interest of put options relative to call options. Advanced analysis of PCR helps traders gauge market sentiment—whether fear or greed is dominant—and anticipate potential reversals or continuations.
Slide 2: Basic Formula and Types
PCR Formula:
Volume-based PCR = Total Put Volume / Total Call Volume
Open Interest-based PCR = Total Put OI / Total Call OI
Interpretation:
PCR > 1: Bearish sentiment (more puts)
PCR < 1: Bullish sentiment (more calls)
Key Types:
Index PCR – NIFTY, BANKNIFTY PCR
Stock PCR – For individual stocks
Slide 3: Advanced Interpretation of PCR
1. Contrarian Indicator:
Very high PCR (e.g., >1.5): Indicates excess fear, potential reversal upward
Very low PCR (e.g., <0.6): Indicates extreme optimism, potential market correction
2. Trend Confirmation:
Stable rising PCR in uptrend = Confirmed strength
Falling PCR in downtrend = Confirmed weakness
3. Divergence Signal:
If prices rise but PCR also rises → underlying caution (hidden bearishness)
If prices fall but PCR drops → lack of fear (hidden bullishness)
Slide 4: Using PCR with Other Tools
Combine PCR with:
Volume & OI Data – To confirm trader positions
Implied Volatility (IV) – High PCR + high IV = fear-based overreaction
Support/Resistance Levels – Look for breakout confirmations
Technical Indicators – RSI, MACD, VWAP with PCR for enhanced edge
Option Trading Master class Part -6What is Option Trading?
Definition:
Options are derivative contracts that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a pre-decided price within a specific timeframe.
Types of Options:
Call Option: Right to buy
Put Option: Right to sell
Option Participants:
Buyers (Holders): Limited risk, unlimited reward
Sellers (Writers): Limited reward, unlimited risk
How Options Work (With Example)
Imagine Reliance stock is trading at ₹2,500.
Call Buyer: Buys a ₹2,500 Call Option by paying ₹50 premium
Scenario A (Stock goes to ₹2,600):
Intrinsic value = ₹100
Profit = ₹100 – ₹50 = ₹50 per share
Scenario B (Stock goes to ₹2,400):
Option expires worthless
Loss = ₹50 (premium paid)
Option Trading Master class Part -7Fundamentals of Stock Investing
Types of Investors:
Value Investors: Focus on undervalued companies
Growth Investors: Target high-growth potential stocks
Dividend Investors: Prefer regular income from dividends
Research Parameters:
Earnings per Share (EPS)
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E)
Return on Equity (ROE)
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
Industry Trends
Tools for Investing:
Demat and Trading Account
Research Platforms (e.g., TradingView, Screener.in)
Portfolio Tracker (e.g., Zerodha Console)
Option Trading Master classIntroduction to Investing and Option Trading
Investing and option trading are two pillars of wealth creation and risk management in modern finance. Investing focuses on long-term growth by acquiring assets that appreciate over time, while option trading involves strategic bets on price movements within a defined period using derivative contracts. Together, they offer investors a combination of growth, income, and hedging capabilities.
What is Investing?
Definition:
Investing is the process of allocating money into financial instruments (like stocks, bonds, ETFs, or real estate) with the expectation of generating a return over time.
Key Objectives:
Wealth accumulation
Passive income generation
Capital preservation
Beating inflation
Common Asset Classes:
Equity (Stocks): Ownership in companies
Fixed Income (Bonds): Lending capital to earn interest
Real Estate: Physical properties generating rental income
Mutual Funds/ETFs: Pooled investments
Commodities and Gold: Inflation hedges
Learn institutional Trading Part -5Option Buying vs Selling
Option Buyers
Pay premium
Unlimited profit, limited risk
Need strong directional movement
Option Sellers (Writers)
Receive premium
Limited profit, unlimited risk
Thrive in sideways or range-bound markets
Need deep knowledge of Greeks and risk management
6. Popular Option Trading Strategies
Beginner Strategies
Long Call/Put – Directional trades
Protective Put – Hedge stock losses
Covered Call – Generate income from holdings
Intermediate Strategies
Bull Call Spread – Buy and sell calls of different strikes
Bear Put Spread – Buy and sell puts
Straddle – Buy both call and put at same strike (high volatility)
Strangle – Buy OTM call and put (cheaper than straddle)
Advanced Strategies
Iron Condor – Neutral strategy with 4 legs
Butterfly Spread – Limited risk range strategy
Calendar Spread – Exploiting time decay differences
Ratio Spread – More contracts sold than bought
Learn institution Trading Part -3How Option Prices Move – The Greeks
Delta: Sensitivity to price change in the underlying
Gamma: Rate of change of Delta
Theta: Time decay – loss in value as expiry nears
Vega: Sensitivity to Implied Volatility (IV)
Rho: Interest rate sensitivity
Understanding Greeks helps manage risk, adjust positions, and time trades better.
4. Why Traders Choose Options
Leverage: Control large positions with limited capital
Risk Control: Limited loss in buying options
Flexibility: Multiple strategies (bullish, bearish, neutral)
Hedging: Protect existing stock portfolios
Income Generation: Through writing options like covered calls
Master class 9. Introduction to Option Trading
Options are powerful derivative instruments that give buyers the right (not obligation) to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specific time. They are commonly used for hedging, speculation, and income strategies.
There are two basic types:
Call Options: Right to buy
Put Options: Right to sell
Options derive value from stocks, indices (Nifty, Bank Nifty), commodities, or currencies and are traded on platforms like NSE in India.
2. Key Terminology in Option Trading
Strike Price: Price at which the option can be exercised
Premium: Cost of buying the option
Expiry: Last day the option is valid
Lot Size: Fixed number of underlying units (e.g., 50 for Nifty)
Intrinsic Value: Real value of an option if exercised now
Time Value: Portion of premium linked to time left before expiry
ATM/ITM/OTM: At The Money, In The Money, Out of The Money – defines moneyness of options
Advanced Technical Master classMulti-Timeframe Analysis involves analyzing multiple chart timeframes (Monthly, Weekly, Daily, 4H, 1H) to confirm trend direction and improve timing accuracy.
Application:
Identify long-term trend (Monthly/Weekly)
Use Daily/4H for entry signals
Filter noise with lower timeframes
Key Tools: Moving Averages, Trendlines, MACD
Module 2: Advanced Chart Patterns
Key Patterns Covered:
Harmonic Patterns (Gartley, Bat, Crab)
Elliott Waves (Impulse & Corrective Waves)
Wyckoff Method (Accumulation/Distribution Phases)
Practical Use:
Pattern + Volume = Strong Entry
Combine with Fib levels for reversal confirmation
Module 3: Volume Price Analysis (VPA)
Core Principle:
Volume precedes price. Learn to read volume spikes, absorption, and exhaustion.
Indicators to Use:
On Balance Volume (OBV)
Volume Profile
VWAP
Institution Master class Welcome to the Institution Trading Master Class, an advanced educational module crafted for serious traders and investors who want to understand how big institutions trade, move markets, and manage risk at scale. This course blends practical market experience with strategic tools and institutional concepts.
📘 Page 1: Understanding Institutional Trading
🔹 What is Institutional Trading?
Institutional trading refers to market activities performed by large entities like:
Mutual Funds
Pension Funds
Hedge Funds
Insurance Companies
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)
Institution Option Trading Part-7Regulatory & Risk Considerations
SEBI (India) & SEC (US) regulations limit speculative exposure.
Institutions must report Open Interest, Position Limits, Margin Usage.
Must adhere to VaR (Value at Risk) frameworks and internal risk policies.
Institutional Trading during Events
Earnings Seasons: Institutions use straddles/strangles for earnings plays.
Budget or RBI Policy: Protective collars/volatility trades.
Global Crisis (e.g. COVID): Use of massive protective puts (SPX, NIFTY).
VIX & Institutional Behavior
India VIX plays a vital role in determining institutional option strategies.
High VIX = buying protection, long gamma strategies.
Low VIX = selling premium, income strategies.
Institution Option Trading Part-1Role of Market Makers & Liquidity Providers
Institutions often rely on market makers for tight bid-ask spreads.
Market makers hedge every trade using delta-neutral strategies.
Their presence helps institutions build or unwind large positions without disrupting prices.
Institutional Examples in Option Trading
Hedge Funds: Use volatility arbitrage, gamma scalping, dispersion trading.
Insurance Firms: Use long-dated puts to hedge annuity products.
Banks: Write structured products with option-like features (e.g., equity-linked notes).
Asset Managers: Use protective puts or collars on core portfolios.
Institution Option Trading Part-2.0Institutional Order Flow – Market Impact
Option Flow as Signal: Large trades in options market may indicate upcoming moves in underlying assets.
Unusual Options Activity (UOA): Tracked by smart money traders to anticipate institutional moves.
Dark Pools: Institutions often use off-exchange mechanisms to avoid price impact.
Tools & Analytics Used by Institutions
Volatility Surface Analysis
Greeks Sensitivity Scans (Delta, Gamma, Vega, Theta)
Skew Charts & Term Structure
Trade Cost Analysis (TCA)
Liquidity Heatmaps
Algo Execution Strategies (TWAP, VWAP)
Institution Option Trading Part-6Introduction to Institutional Option Trading
Institutional option trading refers to the use of options by large financial institutions such as hedge funds, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, and proprietary trading desks to manage risk, enhance returns, or speculate on price movements. Unlike retail traders, institutions bring scale, research, and complex strategies to the options market.
Slide 2: Key Characteristics of Institutional Traders
Large Capital Base: Institutions trade in bulk with millions or billions of dollars.
Data Advantage: Access to premium data, analytics, and predictive algorithms.
Advanced Infrastructure: High-frequency execution systems, smart order routing.
Risk Management Focus: Use options for hedging equity, credit, FX, or commodity exposure.
Regulatory Boundaries: Subject to risk limits, compliance, and disclosures
Institution Option Trading Part-5Popular Strategies Tested via Option Database
IV Crush Earnings Strategy
Buy/sell options before earnings when IV is high, expecting post-earnings IV drop.
High OI Breakouts
Trade breakouts from strikes with high OI using price+OI correlation.
Skew Arbitrage
Analyze IV skew and trade underpriced/overpriced strikes accordingly.
Time Decay Capture (Theta)
Sell options with high Theta before expiry using historical decay rates.
💡 Advantages of Option Database Trading
Quantitative Edge: Allows logic-based decisions over emotion-driven trades.
Backtesting Confidence: Know the probability of success before risking capital.
Scalability: Can analyze hundreds of symbols and expiry combinations.
Automation Ready: Can link with brokers to run fully algorithmic systems.
Institution Option Trading Part-3How Option Database Trading Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Data Collection
Real-time data from NSE, BSE, CBOE, or broker APIs (Zerodha, Interactive Brokers, etc.).
Store tick-level or EOD snapshots into SQL/NoSQL databases.
Step 2: Data Cleaning & Normalization
Remove missing values, align timestamps, convert formats.
Normalize values like IV to make models consistent.
Step 3: Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
Use Python (Pandas, Matplotlib) or R to analyze:
Option volume spikes
Volatility contraction/expansion
Unusual OI build-ups
Step 4: Backtesting Trading Strategies
Strategies like Straddle, Strangle, Iron Condor, or IV Crush are tested.
Entry/exit logic coded, and trades simulated on historical data.
Step 5: Deploying Models
Successful strategies get automated using APIs or Trading Bots.
Regular performance metrics tracked and refined.
Option Trading with Professionals Why is Option Data Important?
Pattern Recognition: Historical data helps spot repeatable patterns across expiry dates, strikes, or underlyings.
Volatility Analysis: IV and HV trends assist in detecting overpriced or underpriced options.
Liquidity Study: OI and Volume data help identify where smart money is moving.
Strategy Development: Backtesting using past data validates the strength of a strategy before real capital is deployed.
Market Sentiment Gauge: Changes in IV, OI, and skew can reflect trader sentiment and possible direction.
🧰 Core Components of an Option Database
A fully functional options database setup typically includes:
1. Options Chain Data
Captures details like Strike Price, Expiry Date, LTP, IV, Bid/Ask Spread, Greeks.
Should be stored with timestamps and unique IDs for reference.
2. Open Interest & Volume History
Time-series data showing how OI and volume evolved intraday and over time.
3. Volatility Surfaces
3D models showing how IV changes with strike and time to maturity.
4. Underlying Asset Data
Historical prices, volume, dividends, splits, news events, and earnings.
5. Event Tags
Earnings announcements, economic reports, corporate actions tagged for context during backtesting.