base 5; +1 high IV; +0.5 defined-risk focus; -1 trending gamma; -0.5 moderate liquidity
Term structure: Humped at 5/08 (38 DTE, IV 63.1%), elevated across front months.
Spot vs MP: Below max pain by 3.0% (spot $150.33 vs MP $155)
GEX regime: Trending (GEX -$10.0M — pro-cyclical)
Gamma flip: ~$150.00 — At ~$150. Negative GEX below this level suggests dealers amplify moves downward.
OI concentrations: Major put OI at $150 (8.5K), $110 (8.4K), $195 (7.3K). Major call OI at $190 (6.4K), $170 (5.2K).
#1put spread
Sell $145/$140 put spread, exp 2026-05-01 (31 DTE)
High IV (57.2%) at this expiration. Strikes are below current spot and the $150 gamma flip, providing a buffer. Defines risk in a trending gamma regime.
Mgmt: Close at 65% max profit. Exit if spot closes below $145. Roll only if IV remains >50% and more than 21 DTE.
#2put spread
Sell $140/$135 put spread, exp 2026-05-15 (45 DTE)
Targets peak IV term structure (58.9% at 45 DTE). Strikes are well below spot and the nearest major OI support ($150), offering a high-probability buffer in a negative GEX environment.
Mgmt: Close at 50% max profit. Exit if spot breaches $140. Manage early if IV collapses post-earnings (May 6/7).
#3covered call
Sell $160 call, exp 2026-04-24 (24 DTE), against 100 shares at ~$150
Spot is below max pain ($155) and call wall ($170). Selling the call capitalizes on elevated IV (57.4%) and provides income with a 6.5% upside to strike. Defensive in a negative GEX downtrend.
Mgmt: Close call at 50% profit. Roll up and out if share price approaches $158. Consider assignment acceptable above $160.
#4iron condor
Sell $140/$135P x $165/$170C, exp 2026-05-08 (38 DTE)
Captures the highest IV on the curve (63.1%). Wide wings ($135-$170) align with expected move (±$14.40) and avoid major OI magnets ($150P, $170C). Defined risk suits the trending regime.
Mgmt: Close at 40% max profit due to wider wings. Exit entire position if spot breaches either short strike ($140 or $165). Expect moderate slippage on entry/exit.
!Earnings expected 2026-05-06 or 2026-05-07 — CLOSE all short premium positions before the announcement. Never sell naked through earnings.
!Trending Gamma Regime (GEX -$10.0M) — Negative gamma below $150 means price moves can accelerate downward, threatening put credit spreads. Be ready to defend/exit.
!Moderate Liquidity — Total OI ~280K. Multi-leg strategies (e.g., iron condors) will face slippage. Use limit orders and assume mid-point of bid-ask for credit estimates.
!High IV Crush Risk Post-Earnings — IV is elevated (58%). A significant drop after May earnings will rapidly decay premium value, hurting short Vega positions.
!Major OI at $150 Put (8.5K) — This strike acts as a weak magnet. A break below could trigger accelerated selling due to dealer hedging (negative GEX).
!Unusual Put Activity at $110 (May 15) — Large block trade (1,009 vol vs 351 OI) may indicate institutional downside hedging. Monitor for follow-through flow.