Grain Spreads: Corn Strangle

Sean LuskGeneral Commentary

Commentary

December corn extended the sideways trade it’s been mired in that has persisted for about six weeks. This could continue into early next month ahead of USDA’s Nov. 9 Crop Production Report. Harvest pressure is dissipating even though progress, which had been running ahead of the five-year average. Still, the unsettled status of the Ukraine export deal continues to be a major outside risk, which expires Nov. 19. Russian officials continue to express resistance to any extension of the deal, but experts still expect Russia to agree to extend. Earlier today, Russia said only 3% of food exported under the U.N.-brokered deal has gone to the poorest countries. Regardless, there’s potential for greater volatility and sharp price moves in either direction in coming weeks. I would be looking at strangles as a way to play future volatility. The chart wedge tells me that we are in a wedge formation for the last 6 weeks or so. One way to play into the November 9th could be to use weekly options. The longer a market wedges, the better chance for an expanded move once the wedge is broken in my opinion.

Trade Ideas

Futures-N/A

Options-Buy the Week 2 December Corn 7.00 call/6.60 put strangle for 6 cents. Week 2 options expire two days post report on November 11th.

Risk/Reward

Futures-N/A

Options-the cost and risk on the trade is 6 cents or $300.00 plus trade costs and fees. One can offer the strangle at 30 cents pre-report, to see if the December Corn market breaks below 6.60, or rallies well above 7.00.

Please join me for a free grain and livestock webinar every Thursday at 3pm Central. We discuss supply, demand, weather, and the charts. Sign Up Now

Walsh Trading, Inc. is registered as a Guaranteed Introducing Broker with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and an NFA Member.​

Futures and options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Therefore, individuals should carefully consider their financial condition in deciding whether to trade. Option traders should be aware that the exercise of a long option will result in a futures position. The valuation of futures and options may fluctuate, and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The information contained on this site is the opinion of the writer or was obtained from sources cited within the commentary. The impact on market prices due to seasonal or market cycles and current news events may already be reflected in market prices. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.​

All information, communications, publications, and reports, including this specific material, used and distributed by Walsh Trading, Inc. (“WTI”) shall not be construed as a solicitation for entering into a derivatives transaction. WTI does not distribute research reports, employ research analysts, or maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.71.

Sean Lusk

Vice President Commercial Hedging Division

Walsh Trading

312 957 8103

888 391 7894 toll free

312 256 0109 fax

slusk@walshtrading.com

www.walshtrading.com

Walsh Trading

53 W Jackson Suite 750

Chicago, Il 60604