The Greeks in Options: Control Risk & Maximize Trading Profits
Introduction
DELTA
Delta is an important concept of options trading, which explains the relation between the price movement of the options and the price movement of the underlying asset. Delta is a Greek letter which represents the sensitivity of the price of the option. BULLISH RUN
Work of Delta:
1. Estimation of Price Movement:
Delta shows how much the option price will change if the price of the underlying asset (such as stock or index) changes by ₹1.
✔Delta of Call Option:
Varies between 0 to 1. (e.g., Delta = 0.5 means that if the stock price increases by ₹1, the option price will increase by ₹0.50).
✔Delta of Put Option:
Varies between -1 to 0. (e.g., Delta = -0.5 means that if the stock price increases by ₹1, the option price will fall by ₹0.50).
2. Used for Hedging:
Traders use Delta neutral strategies so that their overall portfolio is protected from market movements.
3. Effect of Moneyness:
✔At the Money (ATM) options have a delta ≈ 0.5.
✔ In the Money (ITM) options have a delta near 1 (for calls) and -1 (for puts).
4. Directional Trading:
Delta helps traders understand whether their option position is bullish or bearish.
THETA
Theta refers to option trading and it represents time decay. In simple terms, let us say this:
Theta tells how much the option price will decrease each day as the expiration date approaches — assuming everything else remains constant (price, volatility, etc.).
✔ If you are an option buyer, Theta is your enemy because your option will lose value over time.
Example:
If the Theta of an option is -5, it means that the price of the option will keep falling by ₹5 every day (if no other factor changes). Theta value increases as the expiry date approaches, meaning the time decay becomes faster.
VEGA
Vega is an important Greek in option trading, which shows the effect of implied volatility (IV) on the price of the option.
Meaning of Vega:
Vega tells how much the option price will change if the implied volatility increases or decreases by 1%. Options with high Vega are more affected by volatility, and options with low Vega are less affected.
Example:
If the Vega of an option is 0.10, it means that if the implied volatility increases by 1%, the option price will increase by ₹0.10. If the volatility decreases by 1%, the option price will decrease by ₹0.10.
Effect of Vega for Option Buyers & Sellers:
Option Buyers:
High Vega is beneficial, because increasing volatility also increases the option price.
Option Sellers:
Low Vega is beneficial because falling volatility reduces the option price, which is profitable for sellers.
When is Vega Important?
When IV is high during earnings announcements or news events, the effect of Vega is strong. As we approach expiry, the impact of Vega reduces because the effect of IV is less.
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