NEUTRAL
Iron Condor Strategy Lab
What is a iron condor?
A non-directional (neutral) option strategy consisting of four different options of the same expiration: a bull put spread and a bear call spread.
It generates a net premium and profits when the underlying asset stays within a specific price range (between the two middle strikes).
Execution Legs:
1
Buy a put at strike A.
2
Sell a put at strike B.
3
Sell a call at strike C.
4
Buy a call at strike D.
NeutralLimited ProfitLimited Loss
Institutional Playbook & Ideal Timing
🎯 Ideal Timing & Volatility Environment:
High IV regime (IV Rank > 50%) where options premiums are overpriced. Ideal right before/after earnings for IV crush, during elevated market fear/VIX spikes, or in rangebound consolidation between Put and Call Walls.
🎯 Strike & DTE Target:
30 to 45 DTE. Sell ATM or 20-delta strikes outside the 1σ expected move cone.
🛡️ Exit & Risk Rules:
Take profit at 50% of max profit (for credit/neutral) or 100%–200% ROI (for debit). Cut losses at 100% of debit paid (or 2x credit collected). Close before expiration if delta expands beyond 70.
Greeks Sensitivity & Mechanics
🛡️ −Vega (Short Vol)
Benefits from IV drop (IV crush). Avoid buying before vol spikes.
⏳ +Theta (Decay Income)
Earns time value decay every day that passes without moves.
⚠️ −Gamma (Pinning)
Risk accelerates on wild moves; prefers stable consolidation.
Directional Bias (Δ)
Delta-Neutral (Δ ≈ 0): Directionless; relies on vol or decay.
Interactive Payoff Simulator
Expiration Payoff
Interactive Parameters
Stock Price ($)
$100.00
Days to Expiry (DTE)
30 Days
Lower Strike A ($)
$90.00
Higher Strike B ($)
$110.00
Max Profit
$1000.00
Max Loss
$1000.00
Breakeven
$100.00
Risk / Reward
1 : 1.50
Net Delta (Δ)
+0.05
Net Gamma (Γ)
+0.015
Net Theta (Θ)
+2.45
Net Vega (ν)
+3.50