Part 4 Institutional Trading Intermediate Strategies
(a) Bull Call Spread
Buy a call at lower strike and sell a call at higher strike.
Reduces cost but caps profit.
Good for moderately bullish markets.
(b) Bear Put Spread
Buy a put at higher strike, sell a put at lower strike.
Used in moderately bearish markets.
(c) Straddle
Buy one call and one put at the same strike and expiry.
Profits if stock makes a big move in either direction.
Expensive, requires high volatility.
(d) Strangle
Buy OTM call + OTM put.
Cheaper than straddle but needs a larger price move.
(e) Iron Condor
Combination of bull put spread + bear call spread.
Profits when price stays in a range.
Great for low-volatility environments.
Wave Analysis
Part 2 Ride The Big Moves Why Use Options Trading Strategies?
Options are powerful, but without strategy, they are risky. Strategies are used to:
Hedge Risks – Protect existing investments from price fluctuations.
Speculate – Bet on the direction of stock prices with controlled risk.
Generate Income – Earn steady returns through premium collection.
Leverage Capital – Control larger positions with smaller investments.
Diversify Portfolio – Use non-linear payoffs to balance stock positions.
Classification of Option Strategies
Broadly, option trading strategies can be divided into:
Directional Strategies – Profiting from a specific market direction (up or down).
Non-Directional Strategies – Profiting from volatility regardless of direction.
Income Strategies – Generating consistent returns by selling options.
Hedging Strategies – Protecting existing portfolio positions.
Multi-Confirmation Price Action: Fibonacci Zones, Base BreakoutsExplore multi-confirmation techniques using Fibonacci retracement to identify high-probability base breakout zones. Learn how to spot double bottom and inverted head & shoulders patterns at demand levels and execute confirmation trades for precision entries
Divergence SecretsHow Options Work in Real Life
Imagine buying insurance:
You pay a premium to the insurance company.
If an accident happens, you claim and get compensated.
If nothing happens, your premium is lost.
Options work the same way:
Premium = Insurance cost.
Strike Price = Insured value.
Expiry Date = Policy end date.
So, options are like insurance policies for traders!
Why Trade Options? (Advantages)
Leverage: Small capital can control a large position.
Flexibility: Profit in bullish, bearish, or sideways markets.
Hedging: Protects portfolio from big losses.
Defined Risk for Buyers: You only lose the premium paid.
Income Generation: Sellers earn premium regularly.
Part 6 Learn Institutional TradingHow Options are Priced
Options are more complex than stocks because they have two value components:
Intrinsic Value = Difference between spot price and strike price (if profitable).
Time Value = Extra premium traders pay for the possibility of future moves.
The pricing is influenced by The Greeks:
Delta: Sensitivity of option price to underlying asset moves.
Theta: Time decay (options lose value as expiry nears).
Vega: Impact of volatility on option price.
Gamma: Rate of change of delta.
Understanding Greeks is essential for advanced option strategies.
Types of Options
Options exist across asset classes:
Equity Options: Stocks like Reliance, TCS, Infosys.
Index Options: Nifty, Bank Nifty, Sensex.
Currency Options: USD/INR, EUR/INR.
Commodity Options: Gold, Crude oil, Agricultural products.
Part 1 Master Candlestick PatternHow Options Work (Premiums, Strike Price, Expiry, Moneyness)
Every option has certain key components:
Premium: The price you pay to buy the option. This is determined by demand, supply, volatility, and time to expiry.
Strike Price: The fixed price at which the option holder can buy/sell the asset.
Expiry Date: Options are valid only for a certain period. In India, index options have weekly and monthly expiries, while stock options usually expire monthly.
Moneyness: This defines whether an option has intrinsic value.
In the Money (ITM): Already profitable if exercised.
At the Money (ATM): Strike price equals the current market price.
Out of the Money (OTM): Not profitable if exercised immediately.
Why Trade Options?
Options trading is popular because it serves multiple purposes:
Hedging: Protecting investments from adverse price movements. Example: A farmer uses commodity options to protect against falling crop prices.
Speculation: Traders can bet on market direction with limited capital.
Income Generation: Selling (writing) options like covered calls can generate steady income.
Leverage: With a small premium, traders can control large positions.
Part 2 Trading Master ClassPsychology of Options Trading
Discipline and patience are crucial. Many beginners lose money because they:
Over-leverage.
Ignore volatility.
Fail to manage positions.
Professional traders rely on data-driven strategies, not emotions.
Conclusion
Options trading strategies are powerful tools that allow traders to tailor risk and reward according to their outlook. From simple long calls and puts to complex spreads and condors, each strategy has its place in the trader’s toolkit. The key is to understand market conditions, implied volatility, and risk tolerance.
In essence, options trading is like a chess game in the financial markets—requiring foresight, planning, and strategic execution. Traders who master options can generate income, hedge portfolios, and take advantage of unique opportunities that stocks alone cannot offer.
Why Use Options?
Options provide traders with:
Leverage: Control a large position with a smaller investment.
Flexibility: Create strategies for any market scenario.
Risk Management: Hedge against adverse price movements.
Income Generation: Sell options to collect premium.
Part 2 Support and ResistanceWhy Use Options?
Options provide traders with:
Leverage: Control a large position with a smaller investment.
Flexibility: Create strategies for any market scenario.
Risk Management: Hedge against adverse price movements.
Income Generation: Sell options to collect premium.
Simple Options Trading Strategies
These strategies are suitable for beginners. They involve limited positions and simple risk-reward profiles.
Long Call
Outlook: Bullish
How it works: Buy a call option when expecting price to rise.
Risk: Limited to premium paid.
Reward: Unlimited upside.
Example: Stock trading at ₹100, buy a call with strike ₹105 for ₹3 premium. If stock rises to ₹120, profit = (120–105–3) = ₹12.
Long Put
Outlook: Bearish
How it works: Buy a put option when expecting price to fall.
Risk: Limited to premium paid.
Reward: Potential profit increases as price drops (limited to strike price minus premium).
Example: Stock at ₹100, buy a put strike ₹95 for ₹2. If stock falls to ₹85, profit = (95–85–2) = ₹8.
Covered Call
Outlook: Neutral to mildly bullish
How it works: Own stock and sell a call against it.
Risk: Downside risk in stock, upside capped at strike.
Reward: Earn premium income.
Protective Put
Outlook: Hedge
How it works: Own stock and buy a put to protect downside.
Risk: Limited (stock downside hedged).
Reward: Unlimited upside, protection from losses.
Part 1 Master Candlestick PatternOptions in the Indian Stock Market
In India, options trading is booming, especially in:
Nifty & Bank Nifty (Index options).
Stock Options (Reliance, TCS, HDFC Bank, etc.).
👉 Interesting fact: Over 90% of trading volume in NSE comes from options today.
Expiry days (Thursdays for weekly index options) see massive action, as traders bet on final movements.
The Power of Weekly Options
Earlier, only monthly options were available. Now NSE has weekly expiries for Nifty, Bank Nifty, and even stocks.
Weekly options = cheaper premiums.
Traders use them for intraday or short-term bets.
But time decay is very fast.
Trading Master Class With ExpertsReal-Life Applications of Options
Options are not just trading tools; they have practical uses:
Insurance companies use options to hedge portfolios.
Exporters/Importers hedge currency risks using options.
Banks use interest rate options to manage risk.
Investors use protective puts to safeguard their stock portfolios.
Psychology of Options Trading
Trading options requires discipline. Many beginners blow up accounts because:
They buy cheap OTM options hoping for jackpots.
They ignore time decay.
They overtrade due to low cost of entry.
A successful option trader thinks like a risk manager first, profit seeker second.
Part 6 Institutional Trading The Greeks: The Math Behind Options
Advanced traders use Greeks to understand risks.
Delta → Sensitivity of option price to stock price movement.
Gamma → Rate of change of Delta.
Theta → Time decay (how much option loses daily).
Vega → Sensitivity to volatility.
Rho → Sensitivity to interest rates.
Example:
A Call with Delta = 0.6 → If stock rises ₹10, option rises ₹6.
Theta = –5 → Option loses ₹5 daily as time passes.
Options vs Futures
Both are derivatives, but with a key difference:
Futures → Obligation to buy/sell at a price.
Options → Right, not obligation.
Example:
Futures are like booking a hotel room—you must pay whether you stay or not.
Options are like paying for a movie ticket—if you don’t watch, you lose only ticket price.
Part 1 Ride The Big MovesKey Terminologies in Options
Before diving deeper, you need to know the “language of options.”
Strike Price → The fixed price at which you can buy/sell (like 2500 in Reliance example).
Premium → The cost you pay to buy an option.
Expiry Date → Options have a life—weekly, monthly, quarterly. After expiry, they are worthless.
Lot Size → Options are not traded in single shares. They come in fixed quantities called lots (e.g., Nifty lot size = 50).
In the Money (ITM) → Option has intrinsic value.
Out of the Money (OTM) → Option has no value (only time value).
At the Money (ATM) → Strike price = Current market price.
How Option Prices Are Decided
Option premiums are not random. They are influenced by:
Intrinsic Value (IV) → Difference between current price and strike price.
Example: Reliance at ₹2600, Call 2500 → Intrinsic value = ₹100.
Time Value → More time till expiry = higher premium.
Volatility → If a stock is volatile, options are expensive because chances of big movement are high.
Interest rates & Dividends → Minor but relevant in longer-term options.
Part 3 Trading Master ClassHow Options Work in Practice
Let’s take a real-life relatable scenario:
👉 Suppose you think Nifty (20,000) will rise in the next week.
You buy a Nifty Call Option 20,200 Strike at premium ₹100.
Lot size = 50, so total cost = ₹5,000.
Now:
If Nifty goes to 20,400 → Your option is worth ₹200 (profit ₹5,000).
If Nifty stays at 20,000 → Option expires worthless (loss = ₹5,000).
So, with only ₹5,000, you controlled exposure worth ₹10 lakhs. That’s leverage.
Participants in Options Market
There are four main categories of traders:
Call Buyer → Expects price to go UP.
Call Seller (Writer) → Expects price to stay flat or go DOWN.
Put Buyer → Expects price to go DOWN.
Put Seller (Writer) → Expects price to stay flat or go UP.
Divergence SecretsOptions vs Futures
Futures = Obligation to buy/sell at fixed price.
Options = Right but not obligation.
Options require smaller margin (if buying).
Real-Life Example of Hedging
Suppose you own TCS shares worth ₹10 lakhs. You fear the market may fall in the next month.
👉 Solution: Buy a Put Option.
Strike: Slightly below current market price.
Cost: Small premium.
If market falls → Loss in shares covered by profit in Put.
If market rises → You lose premium but enjoy profit in shares.
This is like insurance.
Psychology of Options Trading
Options require quick decision-making. Traders often get trapped in:
Over-leverage → Buying too many lots.
Greed → Holding positions too long.
Fear → Exiting too early.
Successful option traders follow discipline, risk management, and proper strategy.
Part 3 Trading Master Class With ExpertsOption Trading Psychology
Patience: Many options expire worthless, don’t chase every trade.
Discipline: Stick to stop-loss and position sizing.
Avoid Greed: Sellers earn small consistent income but risk blow-up if careless.
Stay Informed: News, earnings, and events impact volatility.
Tips for Beginners in Options Trading
Start with buying calls/puts before selling.
Trade liquid instruments like Nifty/Bank Nifty.
Learn Greeks slowly, don’t jump into complex strategies.
Avoid naked option selling without hedging.
Paper trade before risking real capital.
Role of Volatility in Options
Volatility is the lifeblood of options.
High Volatility = Expensive Premiums.
Low Volatility = Cheap Premiums.
Traders often use Implied Volatility (IV) to decide whether to buy (when IV is low) or sell (when IV is high).
Part 2 Trading Master Class With ExpertsOptions in Indian Markets
In India, options are traded on NSE and BSE, primarily on:
Index Options: Nifty, Bank Nifty (most liquid).
Stock Options: Reliance, TCS, Infosys, etc.
Weekly Expiry: Every Thursday (Nifty/Bank Nifty).
Lot Sizes: Fixed by exchanges (e.g., Nifty = 50 units).
Practical Example – Nifty Options Trade
Scenario:
Nifty at 20,000.
You expect big movement after RBI policy.
Strategy: Buy straddle (20,000 call + 20,000 put).
Cost = ₹200 (call) + ₹180 (put) = ₹380 × 50 = ₹19,000.
If Nifty moves to 20,800 → Call worth ₹800, Put worthless. Profit = ₹21,000.
If Nifty stays at 20,000 → Both expire worthless. Loss = ₹19,000.
PCR Trading StrategyKey Terms in Options Trading
Before diving into strategies, let’s master some core concepts:
Underlying Asset: The stock/index/commodity on which the option is based.
Strike Price: The price at which the option can be exercised.
Expiration Date: The date on which the option contract ends.
Premium: The price paid by the option buyer to the seller (writer) for the contract.
In-the-Money (ITM): Option has intrinsic value (profitable if exercised).
At-the-Money (ATM): Underlying price = Strike price.
Out-of-the-Money (OTM): Option has no intrinsic value yet (not profitable to exercise).
Lot Size: Options are traded in lots (e.g., Nifty option has a fixed lot of 50 units).
Leverage: Options allow control of large positions with smaller capital.
How Options Work
Options are like insurance. Imagine you own a house worth ₹50 lakh and buy insurance. You pay a small premium so that if the house burns down, you can recover your value. Similarly:
A call option is like paying for the right to buy a stock cheaper later.
A put option is like insurance against stock prices falling.
Trading Master Class With ExpertsTips for Beginners in Options Trading
Start with buying calls/puts before selling.
Trade liquid instruments like Nifty/Bank Nifty.
Learn Greeks slowly, don’t jump into complex strategies.
Avoid naked option selling without hedging.
Paper trade before risking real capital.
Role of Volatility in Options
Volatility is the lifeblood of options.
High Volatility = Expensive Premiums.
Low Volatility = Cheap Premiums.
Traders often use Implied Volatility (IV) to decide whether to buy (when IV is low) or sell (when IV is high).
Mastering Options
Options are like a Swiss Army Knife of trading—one tool with multiple uses: speculation, hedging, and income generation. But with great power comes great responsibility.
To succeed in options trading:
Understand the basics thoroughly.
Start small and simple.
Master risk management.
Use strategies suited to your market outlook.
Keep emotions under control.
With practice and discipline, options can become a game-changer in your trading journey.
Part 4 Learn Institutional TradingIntermediate Option Strategies
Straddle – Buy Call + Buy Put (same strike/expiry). Best for high volatility.
Strangle – Buy OTM Call + Buy OTM Put. Cheaper than straddle.
Bull Call Spread – Buy lower strike call + Sell higher strike call.
Bear Put Spread – Buy higher strike put + Sell lower strike put.
Advanced Option Strategies
Iron Condor – Sell OTM call + OTM put, hedge with farther strikes. Good for sideways market.
Butterfly Spread – Combination of multiple calls/puts to profit from low volatility.
Calendar Spread – Buy long-term option, sell short-term option (same strike).
Ratio Spread – Sell multiple options against fewer long options.
Hedging with Options
Options aren’t just for speculation; they’re powerful hedging tools.
Portfolio Hedge: If you own a basket of stocks, buying index puts protects against a market crash.
Currency Hedge: Importers/exporters use currency options to lock exchange rates.
Commodity Hedge: Farmers hedge crops using options to lock minimum prices.
Part 3 Learn Institutional TradingOption Greeks – The Science Behind Pricing
Options pricing is influenced by multiple factors. These sensitivities are known as the Greeks:
Delta – Measures how much option price changes with stock price.
Gamma – Rate of change of Delta.
Theta – Time decay (options lose value daily).
Vega – Sensitivity to volatility.
Rho – Sensitivity to interest rates.
Example: A call option with Delta = 0.6 means for every ₹10 rise in stock, option premium increases by ₹6.
Basic Option Strategies (Beginner Level)
Buying Calls – Bullish bet.
Buying Puts – Bearish bet.
Covered Call – Hold stock + sell call for extra income.
Protective Put – Own stock + buy put for downside insurance.
Part 2 Trading MasterclassOption Trading vs Stock Trading
Stocks = Ownership, long-term growth, dividends.
Options = Contracts, leverage, flexible strategies.
Stocks = Simpler, but capital-intensive.
Options = Complex, but require less capital and offer hedging.
For example:
Buying 100 shares of Reliance at ₹2500 = ₹2,50,000.
Buying 1 call option of Reliance at ₹100 premium with lot size 250 = only ₹25,000.
This leverage makes options attractive—but also riskier.
Real-Life Examples & Case Studies
Case 1: Bull Market
A trader buys Nifty 20000 Call at ₹200 premium. Nifty rallies to 20500. Profit = ₹300 (500 – 200). Huge return on a small premium.
Case 2: Bear Market
Investor holds TCS shares but fears a fall. Buys a protective put. When stock drops, put increases in value, reducing losses.
Case 3: Neutral Market
Trader sells an Iron Condor on Bank Nifty, betting price will stay range-bound. Premium collected = profit if market stays sideways.
PCR Trading StrategyHow Options Work
Let’s break it down simply:
If you buy a call, you are betting that the price of the stock will go up.
If you buy a put, you are betting that the price of the stock will go down.
If you sell (write) a call, you are taking the opposite bet—that the stock won’t rise much.
If you sell (write) a put, you are betting that the stock won’t fall much.
Here’s a quick example:
Stock XYZ trades at ₹100.
You buy a 1-month call option with a strike price of ₹105 by paying a ₹5 premium.
If the stock rises to ₹120, your option is worth ₹15 (120 – 105). Since you paid ₹5, your profit = ₹10.
If the stock stays below ₹105, the option expires worthless, and you lose your premium of ₹5.
This example shows that options can magnify profits if you’re right, but they can also cause losses (limited to the premium paid for buyers, unlimited for sellers).
Types of Options
A. Call Options
Right to buy.
Used when you expect prices to rise.
Buyers have limited risk (premium) but unlimited upside.
Sellers (writers) have limited gain (premium received) but unlimited risk.
B. Put Options
Right to sell.
Used when you expect prices to fall.
Buyers have limited risk but big upside if stock falls sharply.
Sellers have limited gain (premium) but large risk if stock collapses.