WhaleQuant.io

HL Options Chain — Open Interest, Implied Volatility, Max Pain & Gamma Exposure

Analyze the complete HL options chain including strike-level open interest, real-time implied volatility (IV), max pain levels, gamma exposure, dealer positioning, and options flow trends. This dashboard provides data-driven insights for traders building directional or hedging strategies around HL.

Latest Data: 2025-12-23 (EDT)
Max Pain Price
18
Exp: 2025-12-26
Gamma Flip
14.05
Gamma Flip (≈60 days)
Put/Call OI Ratio
0.375
Shows put vs call positioning
IV Skew
0.64
Put–call IV difference
Max Pain Price Volatility
σ = 1.50
low volatility

Dealer–Gamma Regime

A combined view of HL’s total gamma exposure (GEX) and Dealer Position Index (DPI). This helps identify whether dealer hedging flows support mean reversion or trend continuation in the current options market.

Overall Market Regime
Mean Reversion Zone
Long Gamma · Strong Net Long Options · Low Volatility
Low Volatility Mean Reversion Bias DPI Trend: bearish

Gamma Exposure
Total GEX
27.1M
Gamma Regime
Long Gamma
Flip Threshold: 14

In a long gamma regime, dealers hedge against price moves, strengthening mean reversion and suppressing volatility.

Dealer Position Index (DPI)
Current DPI
0.922
Dealer Positioning
Strong Net Long Options
Trend Label: bearish

A Strong Net Long Options profile indicates how dealers hedge daily flows, influencing whether trends extend or revert.


Market Behavior (Gamma Flip–Based)

Price moves are likely to stay range-bound.

The short-term gamma flip is near 13.82 , with intermediate positioning around 14.05 . The mid-term gamma flip remains near 11.15.


Combined Interpretation

With Long Gamma and a bearish DPI trend , the current setup favors Mean Reversion Zone .

Dealer hedging flows interact with gamma positioning to form short-term volatility regimes. Stronger directional movement is more likely when gamma is short or unstable.

Volatility Environment
Low Volatility
Trend vs Mean Reversion
Mean Reversion Bias
Dealer Hedging Behavior
Strong Net Long Options

Options-Based Market Outlook & Short-Term Sentiment for HL • As of 2025-12-23
Bearish Bias (Confidence: 35%)

A slight bearish tilt is visible, though the signal is weak and insufficient for a strong directional call. Lower confidence indicates limited directional agreement across option indicators.


Put-Side Positioning Insight
On the put side, the bearish positioning looks mainly like hedging. This reflects caution and short-term protection rather than a true bearish call. Confidence: 100%


Key Price Levels: Support, Resistance & Pivot for HL
The support levels for HL are at 20.09, 19.78, and 17.99, while the resistance levels are at 20.51, 20.82, and 22.61. The pivot point, a key reference price for traders, is at 18.00.

Important intraday and swing-trading price levels derived from max pain, open interest distribution, and gamma positioning. These price levels are derived from Max Pain analysis, gamma exposure trends, and open interest dynamics, which are crucial factors for assessing market sentiment and potential price movements. Traders can use the support and resistance levels to identify key price zones for entry or exit points, while the pivot point serves as an important reference for gauging trend direction.


Option-Implied Price Range (DTE: 3)
Based on the latest options positioning (DTE 3), the ATM straddle implies a standardized 2.80% 1-day move.
The expected range for the next 3 days is 19.45 21.09 , corresponding to +3.88% / -4.21% .

Bullish flow suggests upside interest toward 21.47 (5.75% above spot).

Bearish positioning points to downside pressure toward 19.01 (6.35% below spot).

Options flow strength: 0.65 (0–1 scale).

ATM Strike: 20.50, Call: 0.32, Put: 0.67, Straddle Cost: 0.98.

Estimated using ATM implied volatility, OTM option flow, and dealer hedging conditions to capture the market-implied price range.

📘 Show Options Market Insight

1. Core Volatility Signal (2.80% Standardized 1-Day Move)

“The ATM straddle implies a standardized 1-day move of 2.80%.”

This means:

  • Implied volatility is high.
  • The market is expecting sizable price swings.
  • Risk perception is elevated across option flows.

📌 Plain interpretation: Traders are paying for protection — volatility is meaningfully elevated.

2. Expected Price Range (Next 3 Days)

The options market is pricing the following risk range:
19.45 – 21.09

Upper: +3.88%  •  Lower: -4.21%

⚖️ Neutral Skew — upside and downside are relatively balanced.

3. Bullish Flow vs Bearish Flow

▶ Bullish Flow

Upside interest clusters near 21.47 (5.75% above spot).
This region may act as short-term resistance.

▶ Bearish Flow

Downside pressure clusters near 19.01 (6.35% below spot).
This is a downside “magnet zone” where put demand concentrates.

4. Flow Strength: 0.65

Flow strength is moderate to strong, suggesting that today's positioning carries informational value.

5. ATM Straddle Cost

The ATM straddle costs 0.98 (4.85% of spot).

⚠️ Extremely high volatility premium — the market is bracing for a major event.

🔥 Professional Summary

1️⃣ The options market assigns greater weight to downside risk.
2️⃣ Implied volatility is high — the market expects significant movement.
3️⃣ Put activity dominates — institutional hedging demand is elevated.
4️⃣ FlowStrength 0.65 supports meaningful conviction behind today's positioning.

⭐ One-sentence takeaway: The options market is pricing elevated downside risk for HL.

The insights are generated by an AI-driven options analysis model. We strongly recommend interpreting the data in the context of your own judgment and market understanding.

DPI Trend Index

Dealer Position Index (DPI) tracks how options dealers are positioned. Rising DPI → dealers long options (mean reversion). Falling DPI → dealers short options (trend amplification).
DPI does not predict direction. It only answers one question: once price moves, will the market reinforce that move? DPI reflects the direction and strength of dealer gamma exposure — not a bullish or bearish call.

Latest Trend Interpretation:

⚠️ Bearish finding support, down trend meets maker buying, potential bottom

Gamma Exposure & Expiry Risk Zones

Gamma Exposure (GEX) defines how option dealer hedging interacts with price moves. Large expiries can sharply alter hedging pressure and trigger volatility shifts.

Market GEX vs Price History

Aggregate gamma exposure plotted with underlying price. Sharp GEX declines or flip-zone tests often precede increased volatility.

GEX Danger Zone Overview
Symbol: HL • Snapshot: 2025-12-23
Total GEX: 27.1M (Regime: Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility), Flip = 24.64M)
Max Danger Expiry: 2026-01-16 (DTE=24)
Expiry GEX: 8.48M (Contribution=31.3%)
Post-Expiry GEX: 18.62M (Regime: Gamma Flip Zone (High Trend Probability))
⚠ This expiry is CRITICAL: removal may push GEX into Flip Zone or weaken gamma support sharply.
Expiry DTE GEX Contrib % Post-Expiry GEX Post Regime Tag
2026-01-16 24 8.48M 31.3% 18.62M Gamma Flip Zone (High Trend Probability) Critical
2025-12-26 3 7.42M 27.4% 19.68M Gamma Flip Zone (High Trend Probability) Critical
2026-03-20 87 4.07M 15.0% 23.03M Gamma Flip Zone (High Trend Probability) Critical
2026-01-02 10 1.67M 6.2% 25.43M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-23 31 1.4M 5.2% 25.7M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-06-18 177 1.2M 4.4% 25.9M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2027-01-15 388 993.88K 3.7% 26.1M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-09 17 983.86K 3.6% 26.11M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2028-01-21 759 346.32K 1.3% 26.75M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-30 38 276.41K 1.0% 26.82M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-02-20 59 255.47K 0.9% 26.84M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)

Vanna Exposure & Risk Zone

Vanna measures how delta changes when implied volatility shifts. Heavy negative Vanna clusters can amplify volatility during IV shocks.

Current Vanna Exposure Overview
Symbol: HL • Snapshot: 2025-12-23
Total Vanna
-13.44M
Net delta–vol sensitivity
Vanna Regime
Negative Vanna (Trend Amplifying)
Sensitivity to IV shocks
Max Danger Expiry
2026-01-16 (DTE 24)
Contribution: 45.8%
Large negative Vanna clusters increase hedging pressure during volatility spikes, amplifying directional trends.
Vanna Danger Zone Details
Symbol: HL • Snapshot: 2025-12-23
Total Vanna: -13.44M ( Negative Vanna )
Max Danger Expiry: 2026-01-16 (DTE=24)
Expiry Vanna: -6.15M (Contribution=45.8%)
Post-Expiry Vanna: -7.29M (More Negative — Trend Risk ↑)
⚠ This expiry is CRITICAL: removal can sharply increase net negative Vanna, raising volatility sensitivity.
Expiry DTE Vanna Contrib % Post-Expiry Post Regime Tag
2026-01-16 24 -6.15M 45.8% -7.29M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑) Critical
2026-03-20 87 -2.07M 15.4% -11.37M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2025-12-26 3 -1.56M 11.6% -11.88M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2027-01-15 388 -1.52M 11.3% -11.92M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-23 31 -826.39K 6.1% -12.61M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-02 10 -419.94K 3.1% -13.02M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-06-18 177 -393.57K 2.9% -13.05M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2028-01-21 759 -239.16K 1.8% -13.2M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-09 17 -216.52K 1.6% -13.22M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-30 38 -38.03K 0.3% -13.4M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-02-20 59 -2.15K 0.0% -13.44M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)

Volatility Structure & Term Structure

Short-dated and medium-term implied volatility, term structure shape, downside skew, and realized volatility context.

ATM IV Term Structure Snapshot
Symbol: HL • As of 2025-12-23
30D ATM IV
71.74%
Front-end implied volatility
90D ATM IV
79.14%
Medium-term volatility anchor
IV Ratio (90D / 30D)
1.10
Long-term vs short-term IV
Term Structure Regime
Contango (Long-term Elevated)
Slope: 7.41 pts (30D→90D).

Smile Slope (Put25 – Call25)
5.55%
Downside skew / crash premium
HV 21D vs IV
HV 21D: 66.06%
IV – HV: 5.68%
Options trade richer than realized volatility.
IV Percentile / Rank
Percentile: 13.5%
Rank: 0.0%
Relative to 1-year history.
IV Z-Score
-1.36
Deviation vs recent average

ATM IV Term Structure

30D · 90D

IV vs Realized Volatility

HV 21D vs 30D IV
A contango structure shows longer-term volatility is priced higher. Smile slope reflects downside protection demand, while IV percentile and rank show how current IV compares to its own history.

HL Max Pain — Daily Levels, Trend, Volatility Pressure & Options Positioning

Daily Max Pain levels with trend shifts, volatility pressure and options positioning cycles.

Max Pain Price Trend Index

Latest Trend Interpretation

Max Pain is stable, reflecting neutral options positioning.

➖ Trend strength: Very weak — no meaningful direction.

➖ Recent movement: Largely unchanged.

Trend Shifts

Green = Bullish • Dark Green = Strong Bullish • Gray = Neutral • Red = Bearish • Dark Red = Strong Bearish

Current OI Structure Reliability

OI Concentration / Pain Reliability · Dec 23 2025
Reliability: 59.0 (moderate)
Max Pain @ 18.00 | Concentration=0.23 · Symmetry=0.66 · Sharpness=3.90
Reason
Some OI clustering exists but lacks clear dominance.
Advice
Treat Max Pain as secondary — combine with gamma, DPI, or trend.

Max Pain Price Mean Reversion

Latest Mean Reversion Status
Dec 23 2025
Overbought (Z = 1.53)
Price is trading above Max Pain, indicating overbought positioning and increasing pullback risk.
Price vs Max Pain Distance
Show Mean Reversion History
Date Price Max Pain Distance Z-Score Signal
2025-12-23 20.30 18.00 2.30 1.53 overbought
2025-12-22 20.55 18.00 2.55 1.70 overbought
2025-12-19 19.67 14.00 5.67 3.77 overbought
2025-12-18 19.03 14.00 5.03 3.34 overbought
2025-12-16 19.02 14.00 5.02 3.34 overbought
2025-12-15 18.84 14.00 4.84 3.22 overbought
2025-12-12 18.81 16.50 2.31 1.54 overbought
2025-12-11 19.35 16.50 2.85 1.90 overbought
2025-12-10 17.19 16.00 1.19 0.79 neutral
2025-12-09 17.00 16.00 1.00 0.67 neutral
2025-12-08 15.85 16.00 -0.15 -0.10 neutral
2025-12-05 16.97 16.00 0.97 0.65 neutral
2025-12-04 16.82 16.00 0.82 0.55 neutral
2025-12-03 17.36 16.00 1.36 0.90 neutral
2025-12-02 17.52 16.00 1.52 1.01 overbought
2025-12-01 17.10 15.00 2.10 1.40 overbought
2025-11-28 16.82 15.00 1.82 1.21 overbought
2025-11-26 15.97 14.00 1.97 1.31 overbought
2025-11-25 14.98 14.00 0.98 0.65 neutral
2025-11-24 14.46 13.50 0.96 0.64 neutral
2025-11-21 13.38 12.50 0.88 0.59 neutral
2025-11-20 13.21 12.50 0.71 0.47 neutral
2025-11-19 14.11 12.50 1.61 1.07 overbought
2025-11-18 14.06 12.50 1.56 1.04 overbought
2025-11-17 13.98 12.50 1.48 0.98 neutral
2025-11-14 14.60 14.00 0.60 0.40 neutral
2025-11-13 14.84 14.00 0.84 0.56 neutral
2025-11-12 15.53 13.00 2.53 1.68 overbought
2025-11-11 14.77 13.00 1.77 1.18 overbought
2025-11-07 13.88 14.00 -0.12 -0.08 neutral
2025-11-06 13.55 14.00 -0.45 -0.30 neutral
2025-11-05 12.11 14.00 -1.89 -1.26 oversold
2025-11-04 11.97 14.00 -2.03 -1.35 oversold
2025-11-03 12.76 14.50 -1.74 -1.16 oversold
2025-10-31 12.87 13.00 -0.13 -0.09 neutral
2025-10-30 12.90 13.00 -0.10 -0.07 neutral
2025-10-29 12.53 13.00 -0.47 -0.31 neutral
2025-10-28 12.75 13.00 -0.25 -0.17 neutral

Mean Reversion Backtest

Backtest Summary
Total Signals: 19 (Long: 3 · Short: 16)
1-Day Performance
Avg Return: -0.07%
Win Rate: 38.9%
3-Day Performance
Avg Return: 1.93%
Win Rate: 56.2%
Show Last 10 Trades
Date Signal Side Entry 1D Ret 3D Ret
2025-12-23 overbought short 20.30 0.00% 0.00%
2025-12-22 overbought short 20.55 1.22% 0.00%
2025-12-19 overbought short 19.67 -4.47% 0.00%
2025-12-18 overbought short 19.03 -3.36% -6.67%
2025-12-16 overbought short 19.02 -0.05% -8.04%
2025-12-15 overbought short 18.84 -0.96% -4.41%
2025-12-12 overbought short 18.81 -0.16% -1.17%
2025-12-11 overbought short 19.35 2.79% 1.71%
2025-12-02 overbought short 17.52 0.91% 3.14%
2025-12-01 overbought short 17.10 -2.46% 1.64%

Historical Max Pain Effectiveness

Based on historical behavior (not current OI)
No Historical Effectiveness
Little to no historical alignment between price action and Max Pain.
Win Rate
1D: 35.3%
3D: 52.9%
Reversion Strength
0.28
Noise Score
0.38
Score (Win)
18.4 / 40
Score (Strength)
11.4 / 40
Score (Noise)
7.5 / 20
Historical Effectiveness Score: 37.2 (poor)
Disclaimer

Our analysis incorporates options market microstructure, institutional flow patterns, gamma and vanna dynamics, and dealer hedging models. The analytics and insights provided on this page are generated from a multi-factor options microstructure model, supported by WhaleQuant’s AI forecasting framework. These results reflect structural dynamics such as dealer positioning, hedging flows, volatility regimes, open interest concentration, and term structure behavior.

The outputs shown—including bias assessments and confidence scores—represent directional tendencies based on option market structure and should not be interpreted as price predictions, probability forecasts, or investment advice. Market conditions can change rapidly, and all analyses are provided for informational purposes only.