The gamma squeeze stock list is quite long and includes names like GameStop and AMC. In this gamma squeeze explained short guide, we’ll take a look at how gamma stock options work. We’ll also see what causes the prices to climb high, and how it impacts everyone involved.
If you’re an institutional investor, you may want to sit down and maybe do some breathing exercises. But if you’re a trader who spots gamma in options trading, you may be able to make a decent profit.
Let’s get started!
How to Spot a Gamma Squeeze in the Stock Market
Trading gamma gives investors and traders an idea of where the market is headed.
Will the stock prices go up or down?
This is what investors base their bets on.
However, as we’ll see shortly in this article on gamma squeeze explained, that’s not always how things go.
The gamma options meaning involves stock price movement. In this case, the prices jump sky-high all of a sudden. This is because people begin buying stocks/shares en masse, stretching their value up with each purchase.
The purchases can be purely sentimental, but they can harm institutional investors trying to short-sell the stock. However, a day trader, looking to profit from option gamma trading may hit the jackpot if they spot the trend in time.
Just be on the lookout for any drastic price increases and follow the latest news about the stock (if there are any efforts at creating a gamma squeeze).
Understanding Gamma in Options Trading: A Comprehensive Guide
To better understand how it all works, let’s walk through a general gamma squeeze example. Later we can also take a look at some recent real-time gamma squeeze examples.
Let’s say a couple of institutional investors predict that a company’s stock price is going to fall, considering how much it has been struggling recently. If a company is underperforming, people will panic and sell their shares, bringing the price down.
Taking advantage of this, institutional investors will try to short-sell the stock.
This means that they’ll borrow it at the present rate, sell it, buy it back when it costs less, return the stock/share, and keep the difference. Sounds good in theory, and works well when done correctly, but sucks when things don’t go this way.
Gamma squeezes can put these investors under much pressure and turn their profitable trade into a losing one.
But you, a day trader, can benefit from this trend if you spot it in time!
Stop Googling for answers on gamma stocks meaning, we’ve got you covered:
1) What is Gamma in Stocks?
Gamma is a measure of volatility, or price hike, for stocks, alongside delta, another measure of a stock’s value.
2) What is a Gamma Squeeze?
A gamma squeeze is when the price of a stock increases sharply due to a buying spree.
3) What is a Good Gamma for Options?
Usually, the .40-.60 range is considered “good gamma.”
Examples of Gamma Squeeze in Stocks and Options Trading
When we hear about short-selling going wrong, the first name that pops into mind is GameStop. The video game rental service loved by a whole generation of video gaming enthusiasts was not doing so well, especially in the backdrop of Covid-19.
GameStop, for those of you who don’t know, sells video game CDs. This was a lucrative business till the last couple of years when online digital copies of games became more popular — they cost less, and you can buy them from the comfort of your home.
This meant that things were bad for GameStop and spotting a stock price decrease trend in the future, institutional investors began acquiring stocks/shares to short-sell. However, alerted in time, fans of GameStop (on Reddit) decided to hit back with a massive buying spree, leading to an options gamma squeeze.
We’ve already covered how it all works in the previous section of this options gamma explained guide. Long story short, the investors ended up losing, although, the GameStop fans also did not gain anything from this episode.
You see, although the stock price increased rapidly, this did not reflect the true value of the stock. However, as a day trader, you can benefit from such a short-term price hike, if you spot the trend in time.
A similar case in the same year, 2021, was the AMC gamma squeeze price hike for the same reasons. Overall, GameStop and AMC stock gamma squeeze examples show us that short-term unexpected price hikes can and do happen, and they can drastically upset the strategies of institutional investors.
Gamma Squeeze Screener: Tools and Techniques to Identify Gamma Squeeze Opportunities
The sudden price increase with the stocks gamma squeeze is the perfect opportunity for a day trader to dive in and benefit from the upward trend. Now that you know what is a gamma squeeze in stocks and how it happens, you need to figure out how you can benefit from it.
As more and more traders buy their way into a given stock, the price will increase. This can, at one point, stretch the price of the stock much higher than its actual value. But you don’t have to wait that long. Just calculate the price increase rate and buy your way into the stock when you can and sell when it appreciates.
But how to spot a gamma squeeze?
Well, one option is to keep your eyes open for a gamma squeeze screener. Also, stay up to date about the latest news (and in some cases, Reddit threads) about any stocks about to be subjected to short-selling.
Once you know the gamma stock meaning and how things work, you only have to spot any short-term price increase in a stock’s value.
When you do, act fast!
How to Trade Gamma and Benefit from Gamma Squeezes
Day traders can benefit from gamma exposure options even if institutional investors may face a serious setback because of such anomalies. However, profit and loss are both part of the game — don’t let it get to you if you face a setback.
Just spot the trend, buy your way into the trade, and close while you’re in profit.
Don’t wait around.
Learn to manage risks effectively, and make smart trading decisions!
