Attached Barclays report sheds light on an intriguing transformation in the options market, particularly focusing on how the introduction of zero-commission trading has reshaped market dynamics. According to their findings, the influx of retail investors has fundamentally changed how short-term call options are traded, effectively turning them into lottery-like instruments.
The research highlights a critical observation: When retail traders purchase Out-of-the-Money (OTM) call options at low premiums, they're essentially making a speculative bet with theoretically unlimited upside potential. However, Barclays notes that such scenarios rarely materialize in practice.
A key insight from their analysis points to the relationship between implied and realized volatility. Option prices are significantly influenced by implied volatility, which often exceeds realized volatility, typically leading to option decay.
In light of this market dynamic, Barclays suggests that when implied volatility consistently exceeds historical levels, a more rational approach would be to transition from being a "casino player" to becoming a "house" - that is, selling these options rather than buying them. They note that associated risks can be managed through hedging strategies, such as holding the underlying asset or purchasing options at different strike prices.
https://www.studocu.com/cs/document/stredni-odborna-skola-a-stredni-odborne-uciliste-mestec-kralove/programming/barclays-us-equity-derivatives-strategy-impact-of-retail-options-trading/90996464
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