BAJAJ BROKING

Notification close image
No new Notification messages
card image
Vikram Solar IPO is Open!
Apply for the Vikram Solar IPO through UPI in just minutes.
delete image
card image
Start your SIP with just ₹100
Choose from 4,000+ Mutual Funds on Bajaj Broking
delete image
card image
Open a Free Demat Account
Pay ZERO maintenance charges for the first year, get free stock picks daily, and more.
delete image
card image
Trade Now, Pay Later with up to 4x
Never miss a good trading opportunity due to low funds with our MTF feature.
delete image
card image
Track Market Movers Instantly
Stay updated with real-time data. Get insights at your fingertips.
delete image

What are Zero Days to Expiration (0DTE) options?

Listen to our Podcast: Grow your wealth and keep it secure.

0:00 / 0:00

Synopsis:

The ongoing buzz in retail traders leveraging short-term price swings with zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) options is gradually making its way into the market. For those interested, understanding the 0DTE options strategy, the way it works, the risks involved, and the need for quick decisions is vital. While potentially lucrative, 0DTE options demand thorough knowledge, prompt action, and risk management to navigate successfully.

Zero Days to Expiration (0DTE) options are contracts that expire on the same trading day they are initiated. These options are typically traded during the final hours of expiry and are available for various indices and underlying assets. Since they have no remaining time value by the end of the session, their pricing reacts sharply to market movements, often influenced by volatility and directional shifts. Traders dealing in 0DTE options aim to capture rapid, intraday price changes. Due to the limited timeframe, these contracts are highly sensitive to underlying asset fluctuations and tend to experience accelerated premium decay. 0DTE options are used in both directional and non-directional strategies, but they involve considerable risk due to their time-sensitive nature. They are usually selected by market participants seeking exposure to short-term movements without overnight risk.

The options market has seen a surge in activity from retail traders seeking to capitalize on short-term price swings and market volatility. The relatively new phenomenon, zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE),  has made quite an entry into the mainstream and has become a popular strategy for collecting premiums. If you too are interested in starting or continuing your trading journey with 0DTE options, you are at the right place. Before you invest your hard-earned money in the market, make sure you know the tricks of the trade.

What are Zero-Days-To-Expiration 0DTE Options?

You would know by now that options are financial tools that are traded in the derivative market. They give the buyer the right, however, not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset (like a stock) at a set price within a certain period. The buyer can choose to use this right at any time before the option expires.

Zero-days-to-expiry options, also called 0DTE options, are contracts that expire and become void on the same day they are traded. Simply put, traders need to get in and out of the options on the day they are scheduled to expire. Also called same-day options, 0DTE options are indeed a unique tool. They let traders profit from short-term price changes in the market.

Unlike traditional options that last weeks or months, 0DTE options are meant for traders who want quick results, as they expire on the same day they are bought.

How Does a 0DTE Options Strategy Work?

 A Zero Days to Expiration (0DTE) options strategy focuses on intraday market opportunities by using options contracts set to expire the same day. Traders typically initiate positions based on market direction, volatility, or key support and resistance levels. Common strategies include selling options to benefit from rapid time decay or buying options to speculate on a strong directional move. The positions are closely monitored due to the extremely limited lifespan of the contracts. Most 0DTE strategies require precise entry and exit points, tight risk management, and constant adjustments. Since time value erodes quickly, any delay in decision-making may significantly impact outcomes. These strategies often aim to capitalise on market events such as economic data releases or index rebalancing but carry a higher risk due to limited recovery time in case of adverse movement.

The way zero day options work is what separates them from traditional/ regular options. Their short lifespan makes them time-sensitive. The ‘0’ or the ‘zero’ in 0DTE means it's the last/ only day to use the option. Typically, traders have some time to wait and see if the asset's price has panned out as per their expectations. However, when it comes to the 0DTE options, there's no waiting—decisions must be made quickly because, here, the clock is ticking.

Are Zero Days to Expiration (0DTE) options profitable?

 The profitability of 0DTE options depends on several factors including timing, volatility, and execution strategy. While these contracts provide opportunities to benefit from sharp intraday movements or premium decay, they also carry a high risk of complete loss. Since 0DTE options have no time buffer, even minor market reversals may impact outcomes significantly. Traders may deploy spread strategies, scalping, or selling options to generate potential gains, but success relies heavily on precision and discipline. Without appropriate risk controls, losses can accumulate quickly. Additionally, transaction costs and slippage may reduce net profitability. Therefore, profitability in 0DTE options is variable and contingent upon strategy selection, market conditions, and individual execution skills, rather than any inherent advantage in the instrument itself.

What makes 0DTE Options Strategy so appealing?

When discussing trading strategies, like most others, 0DTE options strategy also has mixed reviews. Often called a lotto trade, many investors take it as an easy way to make money. Popular for premium collection, time decay often benefits options sellers. Capital is tied up only briefly, with trades entered and closed on the same day. The leverage involved allows investors to take multiple positions, enhancing potential gains.

Premium decay

 Premium decay refers to the reduction in an option’s value as it approaches expiration. For 0DTE options, this decay occurs rapidly throughout the trading day since there is no time left beyond market close. As time value diminishes, especially in out-of-the-money options, their premiums can erode quickly. This characteristic is often used by traders who sell options early in the day and aim to profit as the premium drops due to time decay. However, the same factor may work against buyers, as an option’s value may fall even if the underlying moves marginally in their favour. Premium decay is most pronounced in the final hours before expiry and is a critical factor to consider when selecting positions in 0DTE trading.

Trading expertise a must

 0DTE options are not typically suited for beginners due to their time-sensitive nature and rapid price changes. Trading these contracts requires strong market understanding, precise technical analysis, and disciplined risk management. Since the window for making decisions is extremely short, traders must react quickly to evolving market trends without hesitation. Small mistakes in timing, order execution, or market interpretation may lead to disproportionately large impacts on returns. Moreover, intraday volatility can amplify risks. Understanding option Greeks such as theta and delta is essential to managing exposures effectively. Without adequate experience and preparation, participating in 0DTE strategies may expose traders to sudden and unexpected losses. Therefore, proficiency in both market reading and options trading mechanics is considered essential.

Additional Read: What are Futures/ Futures Contracts?

What does DTE stand for in options?

 DTE stands for “Days to Expiration” in options trading. It indicates the number of calendar days remaining until an options contract expires. DTE is a key variable in determining the time value component of an option’s premium. Contracts with higher DTE generally carry more time value and tend to react less sharply to short-term price fluctuations. As DTE decreases, options become more sensitive to market movements, and premium decay accelerates, especially in the final few days. Traders use DTE to select contracts that align with their strategy—whether short-term or long-term. In the case of 0DTE options, the DTE is exactly zero, meaning the option will expire at the end of the trading session.

When do 0DTE options expire?

 Zero Days to Expiration (0DTE) options expire on the same day they are traded. In India, index options such as those on Nifty and Bank Nifty expire at the end of their respective sessions, typically at 3:30 PM IST on the expiry day. If initiated in the morning, the trader has only a few hours to close or manage the position before settlement. These contracts do not carry any overnight value and must be squared off or allowed to expire by the end of the day. Due to their intraday expiry, 0DTE options are often used by traders looking for short-duration opportunities or wishing to avoid holding positions overnight.

What happens if the option is not exercised before it expires?

 If an options contract is not exercised before it expires, it is settled automatically by the exchange based on its moneyness at expiry. In India, index options are cash-settled. In-the-money (ITM) options may be settled for the difference between strike and closing prices, while out-of-the-money (OTM) options expire worthless. No manual exercise is required by the holder. However, if the position is left open, any applicable charges, taxes, or margin requirements are applied at settlement. Hence, it is important to monitor positions and understand potential obligations before the market closes. Non-exercised contracts do not result in delivery but are resolved through final settlement prices determined by the exchange.

Things to Keep in Mind When going for 0DTE Options Trading Strategies

For many investors, budding and seasoned alike, 0DTE options may appear to be an appealing choice. And while there is no denying that they can be high-paying, such options trading strategies come with their own set of risks and complications. It is best recommended that you keep the following points in mind when you opt for zero day options. 

  1. You need to know what you are getting into
    It is crucial to have a clear and in-depth knowledge of how to execute and hedge these trades. Understanding trade execution and hedging is essential because market catalysts may not behave as anticipated. Market demand and supply factors may not always benefit the investor.
  2. There is always the element of uncertainty
    When it comes to trading, uncertainty remains the biggest risk, things become all the more volatile with short-term options. Profits and losses can occur rapidly due to the swift intraday movements of a stock or index. The fluctuating prices within a single trading day can lead to quick financial gains or losses, highlighting the high-risk nature of short-term trading.
  3. You need to make quick decisions
    At this stage, there's very little time left to exercise the right to buy or sell the underlying asset. The window is small, and the trader's intended move needs to occur quickly. The options contract will soon expire, and as an investor, you will have to take tough calls to make the most out of the deal.
  4. The risk can be very high
    Options are financial instruments that use leverage, allowing investors to control a large amount of the underlying asset with a relatively small investment. On one hand, this leverage can boost your gains, but on the other hand, it can significantly increase the risk.  If the market moves unfavourably, you can be at the risk of losing the entire invested capital quickly. When you invest in stocks, the value of the shares can increase and decrease, but in the case of options, they can expire worthless. This can result in a total loss of the investment.

Additional Read: Exchange Traded Funds

Conclusion

There is an ongoing buzz about making quick and easy money through the use of the 0DTE options strategy. However, as an investor, you need to bear in mind that a no-risk, high-return option doesn’t really exist. While zero day options can help you earn profits, remember that this is because they are volatile and also quite complicated. Once you are through with the free demat account opening, it's time to watch your steps. Be patient, make informed decisions and invest as per your risk appetite. 

Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.

This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

For All Disclaimers Click Here: https://bit.ly/3Tcsfuc

Share this article: 

Read More Blogs

Disclaimer :

The information on this website is provided on "AS IS" basis. Bajaj Broking (BFSL) does not warrant the accuracy of the information given herein, either expressly or impliedly, for any particular purpose and expressly disclaims any warranties of merchantability or suitability for any particular purpose. While BFSL strives to ensure accuracy, it does not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or timeliness of the information. Users are advised to independently verify details and stay updated with any changes. The securities are quoted as an example and not as a recommendation. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without prior notice. BFSL shall not be responsible for any consequences arising from reliance on the information provided herein and shall not be held responsible for all or any actions that may subsequently result in any loss, damage and or liability. Interest rates, fees, and charges etc., are revised from time to time, for the latest details please refer to our Pricing page.

Neither the information, nor any opinion contained in this website constitutes a solicitation or offer by BFSL or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities, futures, options or other financial instruments or provide any investment advice or service.

BFSL is acting as distributor for non-broking products/ services such as IPO, Mutual Fund, Insurance, PMS, and NPS. These are not Exchange Traded Products. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions please read the sales brochure carefully before investing.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing. This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

[ Read More ]

For more disclaimer, check here : https://www.bajajbroking.in/disclaimer

Our Secure Trading Platforms

Level up your stock market experience: Download the Bajaj Broking App for effortless investing and trading

Bajaj Broking App Download

10 lakh+ Users

icon-with-text

4.2 App Rating

icon-with-text

4 Languages

icon-with-text

₹5600+ Cr MTF Book

icon-with-text
banner-icon

Open Your Free Demat Account

Enjoy low brokerage on delivery trades

+91

|

Please Enter Mobile Number

Open Your Free Demat Account

Enjoy low brokerage on delivery trades

+91

|