Overview
Pattern evolution:
When to use: Enter when the Short Iron Butterfly’s net credit is 80 percent or more of C – A, and you anticipate a prolonged period of relative price stability where the underlying will be near the mid-point of the C – A range close to expiration. This is a rule of thumb; check theoretical values.
Profit characteristics: Maximum profit occurs if a market is at B at expiration. Profit would be equal to short straddle premium minus long strangle premium. This profit develops, almost totally, in the last month.
Loss characteristics: Maximum loss, in either direction, net premium collected minus (B-A). This is a very conservative trade, break-evens are at B + and – net premium collected.
Decay characteristics: Decay negligible until final month, during which distinctive pattern of butterfly forms. Maximum profit growth is at B. If you are away from (A-C) range entering the last month, you may wish to liquidate position.
CATEGORY:Precision
Short 1 call and 1 put at B, buy 1 put at A, buy 1 call at C
or sell straddle at strike price B and buy strangle at AC
for protection
Additional Futures & Options Strategies
- How to Use This Guide
- Long Futures
- Long Synthetic Futures
- Short Synthetic Futures
- Long Risk Reversal
- Short Risk Reversal
- Long Call
- Short Call
- Long Put
- Short Put
- Bull Spread
- Bear Spread
- Long Butterfly
- Short Butterfly
- Long Iron Butterfly
- Long Straddle
- Short Straddle
- Long Strangle
- Short Strangle
- Ratio Call Spread
- Ratio Put Spread
- Ratio Call Backspread
- Ratio Put Backspread
- Box or Conversion
Contents Courtesy of CME Group.