FxWirePro: EUR/CHF OTC tools indicate quite but bearish-neutral - Attain low but certain yields in mid-month strangles

Let’s have a glance through the implied volatilities of EURCHF ATM contracts from the above nutshell, IVs of this underlying pair of all expiries have been the least among G10 currency segment. These lower volatile conditions are conducive for the option writers.

Please also be noted that the options with a higher IV cost more which is why in this case OTM puts have been preferred over ATM instruments. This is intuitive due to the higher likelihood of the market ‘swinging’ in your favor. If IV increases and you are holding an option, this is good.

While the 25-delta risk of reversal of EURCHF has also not been indicating any dramatic shoot up nor any slumps but seems to be one of the pairs to be hedged for downside risks in the long run as it indicates puts have been relatively costlier.

Additionally, please also be informed that the EURCHF’s range bound pattern is still persisting but some bearish candles are indicating slight weakness on both weekly and monthly charts on technical base, (Ranging between upper strikes 1.1199 and lower strikes at around 1.0621 levels.

For now, we could still foresee range bounded trend to persist in near future but little weakness on weekly charts is puzzling this pair to drag southward targets but very much within above-stated range.

As a result, we recommend below option strategies using right options, thereby, one can benefit from certain returns.

Naked Strangle Shorting:

Short 2m OTM put (2% strike difference referring lower cap) and short OTM call simultaneously of the same expiry (2% strike referring upper cap) (we reiterate, comparatively short term for maturity is desired).

Overview: Slightly bearish in short term but sideways in the medium term.

Timeframe:  3 months

But on the contrary, gradual euro strength should nudge EURCHF higher but significantly. As a result, chances of calls being priced exorbitantly could be expected on account of the second round of European political risks.

When you write an option, the seller wants IV to remain lower level or to shrink so the premium also fades away.

Hence, writing such calls seems smart choice in tepid IVs on speculative or trading grounds.

Considering above OTC market reasoning, amid prevailing uptrend we think downside risks can also not to be disregarded in the long term, as result we reckon deploying shorts in such exorbitant call options.