Weekly options
We love them especially in todays tariffs mined markets
πSponsor of todays blog post:π
Weekly options are short-term options contracts that expire every week, typically on Fridays. They are used for quick trades, income generation, hedging, or speculative bets on short-term price movements.
Let’s break this down using a popular ETF example:
π SPY — the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust — tracks the S&P 500 Index and is the most actively traded ETF with a robust weekly options market.
π What Are Weekly Options?
π§ Definition:
Weekly options are listed options contracts that have one-week lifespans, expiring every Friday (except holidays). They work exactly like monthly options but with shorter time horizons.
π Compared to Monthly Options:
| Feature | Weekly Options | Monthly Options |
|---|---|---|
| ⏳ Expiration | Every Friday | 3rd Friday of the month |
| π§Ύ Duration | 5–7 days | ~30 days |
| π― Strategy | Short-term | Medium/long-term |
| ⚠️ Risk | Higher | Lower (generally) |
π― Why Traders Use Weekly Options on ETFs like SPY
1. Speculation π
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Expecting the S&P 500 to rise after a strong earnings season?
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Buy a SPY call option expiring this Friday.
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Short-term bets with high leverage.
2. Hedging π‘️
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Concerned about market drop this week?
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Buy SPY put options to protect portfolio downside.
3. Income Generation π°
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Own SPY shares? Sell covered calls weekly to collect premium every Friday.
4. Event-Based Trading π️
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Great for playing:
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Fed meetings
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Jobs reports
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CPI releases
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Earnings seasons (especially on sector ETFs)
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π§ Example Trade: Weekly SPY Option
Suppose it's Monday, and SPY is trading at $430.
| Option | Type | Strike | Expiry | Premium (est) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPY 430 Call | Buy | $430 | Friday | $2.10 |
| SPY 425 Put | Buy | $425 | Friday | $1.60 |
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Buying the 430 Call gives you the right to buy SPY at $430 by Friday.
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Your break-even is $432.10.
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If SPY hits $435 by Friday, your profit is:
(435 - 430 - 2.10) x 100 = $290
π₯ Pros of Weekly Options:
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π Lower upfront cost (shorter duration = cheaper premium)
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π§© More flexibility (tailor strategies to weekly news/events)
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π Frequent opportunities (52 expiration cycles per year)
⚠️ Cons:
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⌛ Rapid time decay (theta kills value quickly)
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π₯ High risk (especially naked options)
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π Need precise timing and price predictions
π§ Summary:
Weekly options, especially on ETFs like SPY, offer traders speed, precision, and flexibility. But they demand sharp timing and risk control.

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