Options and Their Impact
Lesson 6 of 66 min5 exercises
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Max Pain and Gamma
Options activity can significantly impact stock prices, especially around expiration dates. Understanding this helps predict price behavior.
Max Pain
Max Pain is the price at which option buyers would lose the most money (and option sellers profit most). Stocks often gravitate toward max pain by expiration.
Learn · 2/4
Gamma Squeeze
When call options go "in the money," market makers must buy shares to hedge (delta hedging). This buying can push price higher, causing more calls to go ITM, creating a feedback loop.
Example
GME $30 calls ITM → MM buys shares to hedge → Price rises to $35 → $35 calls go ITM → More hedging → Price spikes
Gamma squeeze feedback loop
Tip
SUTOK shows max pain and notable options activity when available. Watch for large open interest at nearby strikes.
Learn · 3/4
Congratulations!
You've completed the Short Interest & FTDs module! You now understand:
- How short selling works
- Short interest metrics
- Short squeeze mechanics
- FTDs and their implications
- CTB and utilization
- Options impact on price
This knowledge gives you an edge in understanding unusual price movements and identifying potential squeeze candidates.
- How short selling works
- Short interest metrics
- Short squeeze mechanics
- FTDs and their implications
- CTB and utilization
- Options impact on price
This knowledge gives you an edge in understanding unusual price movements and identifying potential squeeze candidates.
Learn · 4/4
Key takeaways
- Max pain = price where option buyers lose most
- Gamma squeeze = forced buying from delta hedging
- Options expiration can cause price volatility
- Combine options data with short data for full picture
Next: 5 quick exercises. Miss one and it comes back at the end.