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Short Straddle option strategy

Short Straddle is a range bound strategy that aims to make money from sideways market and falling volatility.

Payoff at expiry

Nifty, lot size 65 · Nifty future 22,650 · 6 Oct 2026
−60k−40k−20k020k21,55022,10022,65023,20023,750Nifty
ProfitLossBreakeven

Legs

ActionOptionStrikeLotsQtyPremium
SELLATM Call22,650165₹135.48
SELLATM Put22,650165₹135.68
Strikes around the Nifty future; premiums modelled at the current at-the-money IV (live prices were unavailable).

How it works

  1. Sell 1 ATM call at the 22,650 strike for ₹135.48, collecting the premium.
  2. Sell 1 ATM put at the 22,650 strike for ₹135.68, collecting the premium.
  3. You receive a net ₹17,625 upfront for the position. This is the most you can make.
AT EXPIRY

Below 22,379 you lose, and the loss grows as Nifty falls.

Between 22,379 and 22,921 you profit, up to ₹17,625.

Above 22,921 you lose, and the loss keeps growing as Nifty rises.

Set-up: Sell 1 lot ATM Call and Sell 1 lot ATM Put with same expiration.

What happens if Nifty moves

Profit or loss at expiry
Nifty at expiryMoveProfit / loss
21,300−6%−₹70,125
21,950−3%−₹27,875
22,400−1%+₹1,375
22,650Unchanged+₹17,625
22,900+1%+₹1,375
23,350+3%−₹27,875
24,000+6%−₹70,125

How the Greeks affect it

DeltaNear zero
Little direction exposure at entry. The position cares more about how far Nifty moves than which way.
GammaNegative
Delta moves against you as Nifty moves, so large moves hurt, especially near expiry.
ThetaPositive
Time decay works for you: the position gains value each day if Nifty holds still.
VegaNegative
A fall in implied volatility helps; a rise hurts.
Signs are for the position as a whole at entry and change as the market and time move.

When to use

Short Straddle is a range bound strategy. It�s idle to execute Short Straddle for near month expiry in order to benefit from faster time decay.

  • Ideally profitability is higher from range bound stock. Comparatively high yielding income strategy.

Things to watch

  • Uncapped Risk on either side.
  • Hedging cost would be high if stock gives any directional movement.

Short Straddle: questions

What is a Short Straddle strategy?

Short Straddle is a range bound strategy that aims to make money from sideways market and falling volatility.

When should you use a Short Straddle?

Short Straddle is a range bound strategy. It�s idle to execute Short Straddle for near month expiry in order to benefit from faster time decay.

How do you set up a Short Straddle?

Sell 1 lot ATM Call and Sell 1 lot ATM Put with same expiration.

What is the maximum profit of a Short Straddle?

Maximum Profit is limited to total premium received. Its maximum at the strike where Short Straddle is created.

What is the maximum loss of a Short Straddle?

Short straddle is open to unlimited risk if the stock moves above higher BEP( Strike +total premium) or below lower BEP ( Strike - total premium).

What is the breakeven of a Short Straddle?

With Nifty at 22,650, the example on this page breaks even at 22,379 and 22,921 at expiry.

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