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Short Iron Condor Strategy

Strategy Type:

Short Iron Condor is a neutral strategy. It's used when an investor anticipates limited price movement in the underlying asset and aims to profit from time decay and declining option premiums.

Components: The strategy involves four components:

  • Short Call Option: The investor sells (writes) a call option with a specific strike price
  • Long Call Option: Simultaneously, the investor buys a call option with a higher strike
  • Short Put Option: The investor sells (writes) a put option with a specific strike price.
  • Long Put Option: Simultaneously, the investor buys a put option with a lower strike price. This provides downside protection and defines the maximum loss on the put side.

Profit and Loss Potential:

  • Maximum Profit:The maximum profit is limited to the net credit received when selling the options. It occurs if the underlying asset's price remains within a specific range defined by the strike prices of the options.
  • Maximum Loss:The maximum loss is limited and occurs if the underlying asset's price moves significantly beyond the range defined by the strike prices of the options.
Break-Even Point: There are typically multiple break-even points, depending on the specifics of the options used. Break-even points can be calculated based on the strike prices of the options.

Strategy Goals:

  • The primary goal of a Short Iron Condor is to profit from limited price movement in the underlying asset while generating premium income from selling the options.
  • The strategy provides a defined profit range between the strike prices of the options.

Risk Management:

  • The risk is limited to the difference between the strike prices of the long options. This defines the maximum loss.
  • The strategy offers controlled risk with a limited profit potential.