Double Calendars: The Low Volatility Trade with Two Peaks

Are you an options trrader looking for a strategy designed for a lower-volatility environment where the underlying price action gravitates toward either of two different strike prices? The double calendar could fit the bill. A double calendar has a wider breakeven range, and therefore a higher probability of making a profit, than an individual calendar. And yes, the risk/reward graph looks kinda like a two-peaked suspension bridge (figure 1, below).

In a previous article, I discussed long calendar spreads. If you happened to miss that piece, here’s a quick overview to get you up to speed:

• Calendar or time spreads have options in two different expiration cycles or series, with the options being both calls or both puts with the same strike.
• Long calendars involve purchasing a further-term option and selling an option in a near-term cycle so that the position remains risk-defined.
• The strategy seeks to take advantage of the underlying trading at or near the strike price, with the highest potential for profit occurring in a rising volatility environment. 

Doubling Calendars

The double calendar is a combination of two calendar spreads. The strategy typically involves buying an out-of-the-money (OTM) call calendar and an OTM put calendar around the current underlying price. The result is a trade that's similar to the neutral single calendar, but instead of having a profit peak at just one strike price, the double calendar has the potential for profit over a wider range of prices. Like the single calendar, the double calendar is designed to benefit from an increase in implied volatility (IV). A double calendar has two peaks or price points where the largest gains can be achieved. The potential max gain can change based on fluctuations in implied volatility.

The price paid for the long double calendar is the risk involved in the spread. If you pay $0.72 for the double calendar, you are risking $72 per contract. With a long double calendar, traders typically look to adjust or close each spread for a credit. The ideal scenario for this strategy would be an increase in volatility that coincides with the underlying moving toward either strike. As it moves closer to either strike, time decay (theta) will increase, which also works in favor of the trade. This occurs because the short near-term options tend to lose value at a faster rate than the further-term long options in the trade. The roll values and calendar prices expand as long as the underlying shares remain near either strike, and the implied volatility does not decrease by a significant amount.

Figure 1 shows a typical double calendar risk/reward graph with the optimal profitability being near either strike. The example is buying the November 17 $80 puts and $85 calls and selling the October 27 weekly $80 puts and $85 calls for a net debit of $0.72. For more insight into potential strategies to consider around options expiration, this article might help.

As shown, the ideal underlying prices for this double calendar are at the $80 and $85 strikes. The overall risk is capped at the $0.72 initiation price, because the further-term options you are purchasing must be worth the same or more than the shorter-term options you are selling due to the time value. If volatility rises from initiation levels, the profit potential should also increase as long as the underlying shares are within a reasonable distance of either strike. Another potential benefit for long calendar trades is that although the initial risk is defined, the profit potential can increase if volatility rises. This is one reason initiating long calendars in a low-volatility environment can be beneficial.

To wrap up, if you expect a move and volatility is low, a double calendar may be a strategy to consider for a wider range and a risk-defined downside.

Please remember that calendar, double calendar, and other multiple-leg option strategies like these can entail substantial transaction costs, including multiple commissions, which may impact any potential return. These are advanced option strategies and often involve greater risk, and more complex risk, than basic options trades.