Option Strategies for Low Volatility: Low VIX Trading Strategy
Trading in the option can be highly profitable if the market is volatile, however, for the option buyers for option sellers low volatility is more beneficial. As, the option premium price fluctuates at a very high speed when the volatility index (VIX) is very high.
On the other hand, the option premium price remains stable when VIX is low making it difficult for the traders to choose the right strategy for trading. Trading in low volatility becomes difficult for traders, especially for option buyers. So, today we brought here the best option strategies for low volatility that you can apply when the market is trading with low VIX.
What Happens When Market Volatility is Low?
Volatility refers to the potential of price range that can go to high and low during trading. When market volatility is low, the price of the underlying security can be potentially spread out within a limited trading range giving limited room for trading.
It means the price of the underlying security will not have significant movement in any direction for a short duration (till the expiry). Hence, you need to choose the right optionstrading strategies to trade profitably in a low-volatile market.
Top 10 Best Option Strategies for Low Volatility
Though, most of the options choose to trade with long calls or puts, as these option strategies can generate returns if the market is volatile. If the market is less volatile you need to trade with multi-leg strategies, which are more complex than buying calls and puts. Trading with such complex option strategies will potentially be beneficial for low price movement.
- Iron Condor for Low Volatility
This option strategy is very popular because of the low volatile market conditions. In this option strategy, you have to sell an out-of-the-money put option and an out-of-the-money call option at the same time and buy out-of-the-money options in both directions to balance the impact of losses.
Owing to low volatility, the price movement of the underlying security keeps trading within a specific range allowing a profitable opportunity in trade. The time decay in this strategy will benefit you from the premium you earned from the option selling.
2. Butterfly Spread for Low VIX
This strategy is also suitable for low volatility in which you can earn profits from restricted price movement within a narrow trading range. In this strategy, you have to buy one option with an intermediate strike price and sell two options — one with a higher strike price and another with a lower strike price.
You will benefit from the price hovering around the middle strike price allowing you to earn the maximum profit. However, you have to be very careful while selecting the strike prices and selecting the expiration date of the contract.
3. Long Straddle for Low Volatility
This strategy can be applied when volatility is low. In this strategy, you have to buy the call and put an option with the same strike price and expiration date. You can earn profit from significant movement on either side movement that might happen during the phase of expiry. If volatility unexpectedly increases,the price of one option can offset losses in another.
4. Ratio Spreads for Low VIX
This strategy for low volatility involves entering the long and short options positions in uneven numbers. When volatility is low, you can sell multiple out-of-the-money options either calls or put at the same time you can buy a smaller number of options at near strike price.
This option strategy for low volatility can generate premium at the same time also allowing the potential profits if the market moves with significant changes. Trading with this strategy will limit your losses when the stock price goes down and also create an opportunity to earn profits with unlimited upside making your trade profitable.
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