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

Analyze the complete NLY 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 NLY.

Latest Data: 2025-12-23 (EDT)
Max Pain Price
23.5
Exp: 2025-12-26
Gamma Flip
19.44
Gamma Flip (≈60 days)
Put/Call OI Ratio
0.336
Shows put vs call positioning
IV Skew
11.34
Put–call IV difference
Max Pain Price Volatility
σ = 0.63
low volatility

Dealer–Gamma Regime

A combined view of NLY’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: neutral

Gamma Exposure
Total GEX
61.34M
Gamma Regime
Long Gamma
Flip Threshold: 19

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

Dealer Position Index (DPI)
Current DPI
0.908
Dealer Positioning
Strong Net Long Options
Trend Label: neutral

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 19.40 , with intermediate positioning around 19.44 . The mid-term gamma flip remains near 19.46.


Combined Interpretation

With Long Gamma and a neutral 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 NLY • As of 2025-12-23
Neutral Outlook (Confidence: 85%)

The options structure reflects a high-confidence neutral environment. Dealer positioning and volatility suppression suggest a stable range-bound setup rather than a directional move. A strong confidence score reflects high directional consensus—or, in the case of neutral bias, a stable volatility regime.


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: 85%


Key Price Levels: Support, Resistance & Pivot for NLY
The support levels for NLY are at 22.87, 22.78, and 22.62, while the resistance levels are at 23.01, 23.10, and 23.26. The pivot point, a key reference price for traders, is at 23.50.

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 0.55% 1-day move.
The expected range for the next 3 days is 21.98 23.15 , corresponding to +0.92% / -4.17% .

Bullish flow suggests upside interest toward 23.27 (1.46% above spot).

Bearish positioning points to downside pressure toward 21.18 (7.68% below spot).

Options flow strength: 0.51 (0–1 scale).

ATM Strike: 23.00, Call: 0.10, Put: 0.12, Straddle Cost: 0.22.

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 (0.55% Standardized 1-Day Move)

“The ATM straddle implies a standardized 1-day move of 0.55%.”

This means:

  • Implied volatility is below normal.
  • The market expects relatively muted price action.
  • Little near-term uncertainty is being priced.

📌 Plain interpretation: Subdued volatility — traders expect limited movement.

2. Expected Price Range (Next 3 Days)

The options market is pricing the following risk range:
21.98 – 23.15

Upper: +0.92%  •  Lower: -4.17%

🔻 Bearish Skew — downside risk exceeds upside potential.

3. Bullish Flow vs Bearish Flow

▶ Bullish Flow

Upside interest clusters near 23.27 (1.46% above spot).
This region may act as short-term resistance.

▶ Bearish Flow

Downside pressure clusters near 21.18 (7.68% below spot).
This is a downside “magnet zone” where put demand concentrates.

4. Flow Strength: 0.51

Flow strength is weak — option activity is scattered or light, making directional signals less reliable.

5. ATM Straddle Cost

The ATM straddle costs 0.22 (0.96% of spot).

This is within the normal volatility range for near-term expectations.

🔥 Professional Summary

1️⃣ The options market assigns greater weight to downside risk.
2️⃣ Implied volatility is low, indicating calm market expectations.
3️⃣ Put activity dominates — institutional hedging demand is elevated.
4️⃣ FlowStrength 0.51 indicates moderate informational value.

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

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:

🔀 Volatility constriction, price is constrained by maker selling/support

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: NLY • Snapshot: 2025-12-23
Total GEX: 61.34M (Regime: Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility), Flip = 42.04M)
Max Danger Expiry: 2026-01-16 (DTE=24)
Expiry GEX: 18.33M (Contribution=29.9%)
Post-Expiry GEX: 43.01M (Regime: Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility))
Expiry DTE GEX Contrib % Post-Expiry GEX Post Regime Tag
2026-01-16 24 18.33M 29.9% 43.01M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2025-12-26 3 17.71M 28.9% 43.63M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-02 10 6.38M 10.4% 54.96M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-04-17 115 6.26M 10.2% 55.09M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-09 17 4.32M 7.0% 57.02M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2027-01-15 388 3.28M 5.3% 58.07M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-02-20 59 2.31M 3.8% 59.03M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-07-17 206 842.55K 1.4% 60.5M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2028-01-21 759 799.95K 1.3% 60.54M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-23 31 575.46K 0.9% 60.77M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-03-20 87 307.52K 0.5% 61.04M Long Gamma (Mean Reversion / Low Volatility)
2026-01-30 38 228.83K 0.4% 61.12M 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: NLY • Snapshot: 2025-12-23
Total Vanna
-2M
Net delta–vol sensitivity
Vanna Regime
Negative Vanna (Trend Amplifying)
Sensitivity to IV shocks
Max Danger Expiry
2026-01-16 (DTE 24)
Contribution: 139.6%
Large negative Vanna clusters increase hedging pressure during volatility spikes, amplifying directional trends.
Vanna Danger Zone Details
Symbol: NLY • Snapshot: 2025-12-23
Total Vanna: -2M ( Negative Vanna )
Max Danger Expiry: 2026-01-16 (DTE=24)
Expiry Vanna: -2.78M (Contribution=139.6%)
Post-Expiry Vanna: 789.44K (More Positive — Volatility Dampening)
⚠ 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 -2.78M 139.6% 789.44K More Positive (Stabilizing) Critical
2025-12-26 3 1.5M 75.1% -3.5M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-04-17 115 -340.27K 17.1% -1.66M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2027-01-15 388 -217.43K 10.9% -1.78M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-02 10 -81.14K 4.1% -1.91M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-07-17 206 -25.54K 1.3% -1.97M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-02-20 59 -14.72K 0.7% -1.98M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-09 17 -12.85K 0.6% -1.98M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-23 31 -9.08K 0.5% -1.99M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2028-01-21 759 -8.64K 0.4% -1.99M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-03-20 87 -4.14K 0.2% -1.99M More Negative (Trend Risk ↑)
2026-01-30 38 3.68K 0.2% -2M 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: NLY • As of 2025-12-23
30D ATM IV
18.00%
Front-end implied volatility
90D ATM IV
16.91%
Medium-term volatility anchor
IV Ratio (90D / 30D)
0.94
Long-term vs short-term IV
Term Structure Regime
Backwardation (Short-term Elevated)
Slope: -1.09 pts (30D→90D).

Smile Slope (Put25 – Call25)
35.11%
Downside skew / crash premium
HV 21D vs IV
HV 21D: 16.66%
IV – HV: 1.34%
Options trade richer than realized volatility.
IV Percentile / Rank
Percentile: 2.7%
Rank: 0.0%
Relative to 1-year history.
IV Z-Score
-1.71
Deviation vs recent average

ATM IV Term Structure

30D · 90D

IV vs Realized Volatility

HV 21D vs 30D IV
A backwardation curve indicates front-end implied volatility is elevated relative to longer-dated volatility. Smile slope reflects downside protection demand, while IV percentile and rank show how current IV compares to its own history.

NLY 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: 74.5 (strong)
Max Pain @ 23.50 | Concentration=0.62 · Symmetry=0.66 · Sharpness=5.80
Reason
OI shows a concentrated peak near Max Pain with strong structure and symmetry.
Advice
Max Pain is reliable enough to use for mean reversion, breakout filters and short-term structure forecasts.

Max Pain Price Mean Reversion

Latest Mean Reversion Status
Dec 23 2025
Neutral (Z = -0.89)
Price is near Max Pain, showing balanced options pressure.
Price vs Max Pain Distance
Show Mean Reversion History
Date Price Max Pain Distance Z-Score Signal
2025-12-23 22.94 23.50 -0.56 -0.89 neutral
2025-12-22 23.26 23.50 -0.24 -0.38 neutral
2025-12-19 22.70 22.00 0.70 1.11 overbought
2025-12-18 22.60 22.00 0.60 0.95 neutral
2025-12-16 22.12 22.00 0.12 0.19 neutral
2025-12-15 22.36 21.00 1.36 2.16 overbought
2025-12-12 22.17 22.50 -0.33 -0.53 neutral
2025-12-11 22.23 22.50 -0.27 -0.43 neutral
2025-12-10 22.39 22.50 -0.11 -0.18 neutral
2025-12-09 22.29 22.50 -0.21 -0.33 neutral
2025-12-08 22.62 23.00 -0.38 -0.60 neutral
2025-12-05 22.87 23.50 -0.63 -1.00 oversold
2025-12-04 22.77 23.50 -0.73 -1.16 oversold
2025-12-03 22.82 23.50 -0.68 -1.08 oversold
2025-12-02 22.81 23.50 -0.69 -1.10 oversold
2025-12-01 22.88 23.00 -0.12 -0.19 neutral
2025-11-28 22.80 22.50 0.30 0.48 neutral
2025-11-26 22.67 22.50 0.17 0.27 neutral
2025-11-25 22.44 22.00 0.44 0.70 neutral
2025-11-24 21.92 22.00 -0.08 -0.13 neutral
2025-11-21 21.99 23.00 -1.01 -1.61 oversold
2025-11-20 21.62 23.00 -1.38 -2.20 oversold
2025-11-19 21.60 23.00 -1.40 -2.23 oversold
2025-11-18 21.56 23.00 -1.44 -2.29 oversold
2025-11-17 21.50 23.00 -1.50 -2.39 oversold
2025-11-14 21.65 22.50 -0.85 -1.35 oversold
2025-11-13 21.78 22.50 -0.72 -1.15 oversold
2025-11-12 21.80 22.50 -0.70 -1.11 oversold
2025-11-11 22.00 22.50 -0.50 -0.80 neutral
2025-11-07 21.90 22.00 -0.10 -0.16 neutral
2025-11-06 21.61 22.00 -0.39 -0.62 neutral
2025-11-05 21.70 22.00 -0.30 -0.48 neutral
2025-11-04 21.51 21.50 0.01 0.02 neutral
2025-11-03 21.30 21.50 -0.20 -0.32 neutral
2025-10-31 21.17 22.00 -0.83 -1.32 oversold
2025-10-30 20.74 22.00 -1.26 -2.01 oversold
2025-10-29 20.66 22.00 -1.34 -2.13 oversold
2025-10-28 21.06 22.00 -0.94 -1.50 oversold

Mean Reversion Backtest

Backtest Summary
Total Signals: 18 (Long: 16 · Short: 2)
1-Day Performance
Avg Return: -0.03%
Win Rate: 55.6%
3-Day Performance
Avg Return: 0.69%
Win Rate: 58.8%
Show Last 10 Trades
Date Signal Side Entry 1D Ret 3D Ret
2025-12-19 overbought short 22.70 -2.47% 0.00%
2025-12-15 overbought short 22.36 1.07% -1.52%
2025-12-05 oversold long 22.87 -1.09% -2.10%
2025-12-04 oversold long 22.77 0.44% -2.11%
2025-12-03 oversold long 22.82 -0.22% -0.88%
2025-12-02 oversold long 22.81 0.04% 0.26%
2025-11-21 oversold long 21.99 -0.32% 3.09%
2025-11-20 oversold long 21.62 1.71% 3.79%
2025-11-19 oversold long 21.60 0.09% 1.48%
2025-11-18 oversold long 21.56 0.19% 1.99%

Historical Max Pain Effectiveness

Based on historical behavior (not current OI)
Weak Influence
Max Pain has shown occasional influence but not consistently.
Win Rate
1D: 55.6%
3D: 55.6%
Reversion Strength
0.26
Noise Score
0.90
Score (Win)
22.2 / 40
Score (Strength)
10.3 / 40
Score (Noise)
18.0 / 20
Historical Effectiveness Score: 50.5 (neutral)
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.