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kapw7
 

Registered: Mar 2012
Posts: 113

 

09-02-12 11:18 AM

Let's say we are happy enough to use a long bfly as an alternative to a short straddle (ATM). For example we think ATM IV is very "rich" and we want to avoid "unlimited risk" of the straddle. Assume this compensates for the bfly risk of greeks changing sign, skew risk etc

What would be an alternative for a long straddle? I feel that the obvious short bfly does not balance very well but I am not sure.

One exapmle I'm thinking is a portfolio of rich IV/ cheap IV options. The "academic paper" position is to take short / long straddles but these give high variance results. Assume we don't delta hedge, what alternatives could we use?

(The above is only an example my question is more general than this)

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sonoma
 

Registered: Oct 2007
Posts: 144

 

09-03-12 01:56 AM


Quote from kapw7:

Let's say we are happy enough to use a long bfly as an alternative to a short straddle (ATM). For example we think ATM IV is very "rich" and we want to avoid "unlimited risk" of the straddle. Assume this compensates for the bfly risk of greeks changing sign, skew risk etc

What would be an alternative for a long straddle? I feel that the obvious short bfly does not balance very well but I am not sure.

One exapmle I'm thinking is a portfolio of rich IV/ cheap IV options. The "academic paper" position is to take short / long straddles but these give high variance results. Assume we don't delta hedge, what alternatives could we use?

(The above is only an example my question is more general than this)


You'll have to configure a position with unlimited reward to mimic the long straddle, so you'll have to be net long option positions. One choice would be a backspread. Another would be a long option with additional short verticals further OTM. In both of these examples, you can arrange the legs such that theta and vega match your needs/expectations. And remember that you don't have to keep the legs in the same expiration series.

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Don Bright
Bright Trading, LLC

Registered: Oct 2001
Posts: 11698

 

09-03-12 02:17 AM

No long straddle, no short straddle. How about a selling the strangle?

Underlying at 30, sell the 20 or 25 puts, and the 35 or 40 calls. Pretty easy, right?

Don

__________________
Don Bright (not an alias)
Bright Trading, LLC
http://www.stocktrading.com

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diaoptions
 

Registered: Aug 2011
Posts: 392

 

09-03-12 02:17 AM

RE: "Long Straddle Alternative"

Paper trade the straddle, then when (if) one leg hits 2x gain buy that option for real. Exit trade when your P/L has been reached.







--------------------------
diaoptions has spoken

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diaoptions
 

Registered: Aug 2011
Posts: 392

 

09-03-12 02:38 AM


Quote from Don Bright:

No long straddle, no short straddle. How about a selling the strangle?
Underlying at 30, sell the 20 or 25 puts, and the 35 or 40 calls. Pretty easy, right?


And then after you collect your dimes you can say good bye to your account when the underling gaps up or down on some unexpected news. Pretty easy alright - LOL.




--------------------------
diaoptions has spoken

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newwurldmn
 

Registered: Apr 2011
Posts: 2621

 

09-03-12 03:37 AM


Quote from diaoptions:

RE: "Long Straddle Alternative"

Paper trade the straddle, then when (if) one leg hits 2x gain buy that option for real. Exit trade when your P/L has been reached.





Or employee your strategy:
Paper trade the straddle and when one leg hits 2x pretend that's the only leg you traded.

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