Bull Call Spread Vs Short Condor (Short Call Condor) Options Trading Strategy Comparison

A Bull Call Spread strategy works well when you're Bullish of the market but expect the underlying to gain mildly in near future.

The Short Call Condor works well when you expect the price of the underlying to be very volatile. In other words, when the trader is anticipating massive price movements (in any direction) in the underlying during the lifetime of the options.

When you are expecting a moderate rise in the price of the underlying.

When you are unsure about the direction in the movement in the price of the underlying but are expecting high volatility in it in the near future.

• Buy ITM Call Option
• Sell OTM Call Option

A Bull Call Spread strategy involves Buy ITM Call Option + Sell OTM Call Option.

For example, if you are of the view that Nifty will rise moderately in near future then you can Buy NIFTY Call Option at ITM and Sell NIFTY 50 Call Option at OTM. You will earn massively when both of your Options are exercised and incur huge losses when both Options are not exercised.

Suppose Nifty is trading at 10,400. If you expect high volatility in the Nifty in the coming days then you can execute Short Call Condor by selling 1 ITM Nifty Call at 10,200, buying 1 ITM Call at 10,300, buying 1 OTM Call Option at 10, 500 and selling 1 OTM Nifty Call at 10, 600. Your maximum loss will be if Nifty closes in the range of 10,300 to 10,500 on expiry while maximum profit will be on either side of upper or lower strikes.

There are 2 break even points in this strategy. The upper break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the difference between strike price of highest strike shot call and net premium paid. The lower break even is hit when the underlying price is equal to the strike price of lowest strike short call and net premium paid.

Lower Breakeven = Lower Strike Price + Net Premium

Upper breakeven = Higher Strike Price - Net Premium

The trade will result in a loss if the price of the underlying decreases at expiration. The maximum loss is limited to net premium paid.

Max Loss = Net Premium Paid

Max Loss happens when the strike price of Call is less than or equal to price of the underlying.

This is a limited risk strategy. The maximum risk in a short call condor strategy is calculated as below:

Max Loss = Strike Price of Lower Strike Long Call - Strike Price of Lower Strike Short Call - Net Premium Received + Commissions Paid

The max risk is when the price of the underlying remains in between strike price of 2 long calls.

Limited To The Difference Between Two Strike Prices Minus Net Premium

Maximum profit happens when the price of the underlying rises above strike price of two Calls. The profit is limited to the difference between two strike prices minus net premium paid.

Max Profit = (Strike Price of Call 1 - Strike Price of Call 2) - Net Premium Paid

The maximum profit in a short call condor strategy is realized when the price of the underlying is trading outside the range at time of expiration.<.p>

Max Profit = Strike Price of Lower Strike Short Call - Strike Price of Lower Strike Long Call - Net Premium Paid

Both options exercised

All options exercised or not exercised

Both options unexercised

Both ITM Calls exercised

Instead of straightaway buying a Call Option, this strategy allows you to reduce cost and risk of your investments.

It allows you to profit from highly volatile underlying assets moving in any direction.

The maximum profit for the condor trade may be low in relation to other trading strategies but it has a comparatively wider profit zone.

Earn profit with little or no investment as you will have a credit of net premiums.

Profit potential is limited.

Strike prices selected may have an impact on the potential of profit.

Brokerage and taxes make a significant impact on the profits from this strategy. The cost of trading increases with the number of legs. This strategy has 4 legs and thus the brokerage cost is higher.