Zero-day-to-expiration (0DTE) options are options contracts that expire on the same day they are traded. This means traders have only a few hours to act before the contract becomes worthless. These options have gained popularity due to their high-risk, high-reward nature, allowing traders to capitalize on short-term market movements.
0DTE Features
- Short Lifespan: They expire at the end of the trading day.
- High Volatility: Prices can swing dramatically in a short period.
- Premium Decay: The value of the option erodes quickly as expiration approaches.
- Speculative Trading: Often used for quick profits rather than long-term investing.
Why Traders Utilize 0DTE
- Quick Profits: If the underlying asset moves in the desired direction, traders can make significant gains.
- Limited Overnight Risk: Since positions close the same day, traders avoid price changes that occur after market hours.
- Lower Cost: These options tend to have lower premiums compared to longer-term contracts.
However, 0DTE options are extremely risky, as they can expire worthless if the market doesn’t move favorably. They require precise timing and a strong understanding of market trends and especially the specific security being traded..
Utilizing 1-minute, 3-minute, and 5-minute charts must be utilized to quickly enter and exit 0DTE trades. Be sure to paper trade this trading strategy, and all strategies, first!