[--[65.84.65.76]--]

COALINDIA

Coal India Ltd
384 -1.30 (-0.34%)
L: 383.6 H: 387.35
Max Pain - COALINDIA
19 Dec 2025 10:22 AM IST
Live


Strike  309.75  has a total call value of 0  versus a total put value of  127,434,127,500 Combined total value = 127,434,127,500

Strike  310  has a total call value of 0  versus a total put value of  126,989,268,750 Combined total value = 126,989,268,750

Strike  312.5  has a total call value of 1,687,500  versus a total put value of  122,541,356,250 Combined total value = 122,543,043,750

Strike  314.75  has a total call value of 3,206,250  versus a total put value of  118,538,235,000 Combined total value = 118,541,441,250

Strike  315  has a total call value of 3,375,000  versus a total put value of  118,093,443,750 Combined total value = 118,096,818,750

Strike  317.5  has a total call value of 7,087,500  versus a total put value of  113,645,531,250 Combined total value = 113,652,618,750

Strike  319.75  has a total call value of 10,428,750  versus a total put value of  109,642,410,000 Combined total value = 109,652,838,750

Strike  320  has a total call value of 10,968,750  versus a total put value of  109,197,618,750 Combined total value = 109,208,587,500

Strike  322.5  has a total call value of 19,743,750  versus a total put value of  104,759,156,250 Combined total value = 104,778,900,000

Strike  324.75  has a total call value of 27,641,250  versus a total put value of  100,764,540,000 Combined total value = 100,792,181,250

Strike  325  has a total call value of 28,518,750  versus a total put value of  100,320,693,750 Combined total value = 100,349,212,500

Strike  327.5  has a total call value of 37,293,750  versus a total put value of  95,884,931,250 Combined total value = 95,922,225,000

Strike  329.75  has a total call value of 45,191,250  versus a total put value of  91,892,745,000 Combined total value = 91,937,936,250

Strike  330  has a total call value of 46,068,750  versus a total put value of  91,449,168,750 Combined total value = 91,495,237,500

Strike  332.5  has a total call value of 56,193,750  versus a total put value of  87,028,931,250 Combined total value = 87,085,125,000

Strike  334.75  has a total call value of 65,306,250  versus a total put value of  83,050,717,500 Combined total value = 83,116,023,750

Strike  335  has a total call value of 66,318,750  versus a total put value of  82,608,693,750 Combined total value = 82,675,012,500

Strike  337.5  has a total call value of 77,793,750  versus a total put value of  78,188,793,750 Combined total value = 78,266,587,500

Strike  339.75  has a total call value of 88,121,250  versus a total put value of  74,210,883,750 Combined total value = 74,299,005,000

Strike  340  has a total call value of 89,336,250  versus a total put value of  73,770,513,750 Combined total value = 73,859,850,000

Strike  342.25  has a total call value of 102,093,750  versus a total put value of  69,876,742,500 Combined total value = 69,978,836,250

Strike  342.5  has a total call value of 103,511,250  versus a total put value of  69,444,101,250 Combined total value = 69,547,612,500

Strike  344.75  has a total call value of 116,268,750  versus a total put value of  65,550,633,750 Combined total value = 65,666,902,500

Strike  345  has a total call value of 117,686,250  versus a total put value of  65,119,308,750 Combined total value = 65,236,995,000

Strike  347.25  has a total call value of 131,355,000  versus a total put value of  61,383,183,750 Combined total value = 61,514,538,750

Strike  347.5  has a total call value of 132,873,750  versus a total put value of  60,968,868,750 Combined total value = 61,101,742,500

Strike  349.75  has a total call value of 146,542,500  versus a total put value of  57,249,753,750 Combined total value = 57,396,296,250

Strike  350  has a total call value of 148,162,500  versus a total put value of  56,838,847,500 Combined total value = 56,987,010,000

Strike  352.25  has a total call value of 172,766,250  versus a total put value of  53,277,986,250 Combined total value = 53,450,752,500

Strike  352.5  has a total call value of 175,500,000  versus a total put value of  52,884,630,000 Combined total value = 53,060,130,000

Strike  354.75  has a total call value of 200,103,750  versus a total put value of  49,358,396,250 Combined total value = 49,558,500,000

Strike  355  has a total call value of 202,837,500  versus a total put value of  48,968,752,500 Combined total value = 49,171,590,000

Strike  357.25  has a total call value of 230,175,000  versus a total put value of  45,497,801,250 Combined total value = 45,727,976,250

Strike  357.5  has a total call value of 233,212,500  versus a total put value of  45,115,211,250 Combined total value = 45,348,423,750

Strike  359.75  has a total call value of 260,550,000  versus a total put value of  41,686,481,250 Combined total value = 41,947,031,250

Strike  360  has a total call value of 263,587,500  versus a total put value of  41,308,548,750 Combined total value = 41,572,136,250

Strike  362.25  has a total call value of 314,617,500  versus a total put value of  38,125,552,500 Combined total value = 38,440,170,000

Strike  362.5  has a total call value of 320,287,500  versus a total put value of  37,775,936,250 Combined total value = 38,096,223,750

Strike  364.75  has a total call value of 371,317,500  versus a total put value of  34,651,563,750 Combined total value = 35,022,881,250

Strike  365  has a total call value of 376,987,500  versus a total put value of  34,309,980,000 Combined total value = 34,686,967,500

Strike  367.25  has a total call value of 431,662,500  versus a total put value of  31,317,738,750 Combined total value = 31,749,401,250

Strike  367.5  has a total call value of 437,737,500  versus a total put value of  30,991,072,500 Combined total value = 31,428,810,000

Strike  369.75  has a total call value of 494,842,500  versus a total put value of  28,104,536,250 Combined total value = 28,599,378,750

Strike  370  has a total call value of 501,963,750  versus a total put value of  27,791,808,750 Combined total value = 28,293,772,500

Strike  372.25  has a total call value of 672,063,750  versus a total put value of  25,259,748,750 Combined total value = 25,931,812,500

Strike  372.5  has a total call value of 693,495,000  versus a total put value of  24,985,833,750 Combined total value = 25,679,328,750

Strike  374.75  has a total call value of 932,546,250  versus a total put value of  22,608,382,500 Combined total value = 23,540,928,750

Strike  375  has a total call value of 964,406,250  versus a total put value of  22,355,426,250 Combined total value = 23,319,832,500

Strike  377.25  has a total call value of 1,445,546,250  versus a total put value of  20,408,692,500 Combined total value = 21,854,238,750

Strike  377.5  has a total call value of 1,500,896,250  versus a total put value of  20,198,126,250 Combined total value = 21,699,022,500

Strike  379.75  has a total call value of 2,047,646,250  versus a total put value of  18,368,336,250 Combined total value = 20,415,982,500

Strike  380  has a total call value of 2,115,956,250  versus a total put value of  18,170,932,500 Combined total value = 20,286,888,750

Strike  382.25  has a total call value of 3,154,173,750  versus a total put value of  16,709,591,250 Combined total value = 19,863,765,000

Strike  382.5  has a total call value of 3,275,201,250  versus a total put value of  16,551,911,250 Combined total value = 19,827,112,500

Strike  384.75  has a total call value of 4,420,338,750  versus a total put value of  15,191,111,250 Combined total value = 19,611,450,000

Strike  385  has a total call value of 4,562,358,750  versus a total put value of  15,047,100,000 Combined total value = 19,609,458,750

Strike  387.25  has a total call value of 6,102,371,250  versus a total put value of  13,961,801,250 Combined total value = 20,064,172,500

Strike  387.5  has a total call value of 6,281,145,000  versus a total put value of  13,845,161,250 Combined total value = 20,126,306,250

Strike  389.75  has a total call value of 8,220,285,000  versus a total put value of  12,820,916,250 Combined total value = 21,041,201,250

Strike  390  has a total call value of 8,444,182,500  versus a total put value of  12,713,658,750 Combined total value = 21,157,841,250

Strike  392.25  has a total call value of 10,835,302,500  versus a total put value of  11,998,935,000 Combined total value = 22,834,237,500

Strike  392.5  has a total call value of 11,104,796,250  versus a total put value of  11,919,960,000 Combined total value = 23,024,756,250

Strike  394.75  has a total call value of 13,577,928,750  versus a total put value of  11,210,096,250 Combined total value = 24,788,025,000

Strike  395  has a total call value of 13,858,863,750  versus a total put value of  11,131,222,500 Combined total value = 24,990,086,250

Strike  397.25  has a total call value of 16,538,242,500  versus a total put value of  10,440,495,000 Combined total value = 26,978,737,500

Strike  397.5  has a total call value of 16,839,596,250  versus a total put value of  10,363,747,500 Combined total value = 27,203,343,750

Strike  399.75  has a total call value of 19,591,875,000  versus a total put value of  9,673,323,750 Combined total value = 29,265,198,750

Strike  400  has a total call value of 19,902,712,500  versus a total put value of  9,597,150,000 Combined total value = 29,499,862,500

Strike  402.25  has a total call value of 23,047,740,000  versus a total put value of  9,006,660,000 Combined total value = 32,054,400,000

Strike  402.5  has a total call value of 23,401,710,000  versus a total put value of  8,941,050,000 Combined total value = 32,342,760,000

Strike  404.75  has a total call value of 26,615,385,000  versus a total put value of  8,350,560,000 Combined total value = 34,965,945,000

Strike  405  has a total call value of 26,973,438,750  versus a total put value of  8,285,962,500 Combined total value = 35,259,401,250

Strike  407.25  has a total call value of 30,273,075,000  versus a total put value of  7,711,875,000 Combined total value = 37,984,950,000

Strike  407.5  has a total call value of 30,641,422,500  versus a total put value of  7,648,121,250 Combined total value = 38,289,543,750

Strike  409.75  has a total call value of 33,972,345,000  versus a total put value of  7,074,337,500 Combined total value = 41,046,682,500

Strike  410  has a total call value of 34,354,530,000  versus a total put value of  7,010,752,500 Combined total value = 41,365,282,500

Strike  412.5  has a total call value of 38,484,180,000  versus a total put value of  6,414,727,500 Combined total value = 44,898,907,500

Strike  414.75  has a total call value of 42,205,421,250  versus a total put value of  5,878,608,750 Combined total value = 48,084,030,000

Strike  415  has a total call value of 42,621,356,250  versus a total put value of  5,819,040,000 Combined total value = 48,440,396,250

Strike  417.5  has a total call value of 46,788,468,750  versus a total put value of  5,226,052,500 Combined total value = 52,014,521,250

Strike  419.75  has a total call value of 50,545,856,250  versus a total put value of  4,692,667,500 Combined total value = 55,238,523,750

Strike  420  has a total call value of 50,964,491,250  versus a total put value of  4,633,571,250 Combined total value = 55,598,062,500

Strike  422.5  has a total call value of 55,195,728,750  versus a total put value of  4,058,471,250 Combined total value = 59,254,200,000

Strike  424.75  has a total call value of 59,003,842,500  versus a total put value of  3,540,881,250 Combined total value = 62,544,723,750

Strike  425  has a total call value of 59,427,607,500  versus a total put value of  3,483,371,250 Combined total value = 62,910,978,750

Strike  427.5  has a total call value of 63,681,120,000  versus a total put value of  2,909,283,750 Combined total value = 66,590,403,750

Strike  429.75  has a total call value of 67,509,281,250  versus a total put value of  2,392,605,000 Combined total value = 69,901,886,250

Strike  430  has a total call value of 67,936,826,250  versus a total put value of  2,338,031,250 Combined total value = 70,274,857,500

Strike  432.5  has a total call value of 72,225,776,250  versus a total put value of  1,797,693,750 Combined total value = 74,023,470,000

Strike  434.75  has a total call value of 76,085,831,250  versus a total put value of  1,311,390,000 Combined total value = 77,397,221,250

Strike  435  has a total call value of 76,514,895,000  versus a total put value of  1,257,356,250 Combined total value = 77,772,251,250

Strike  437.5  has a total call value of 80,810,257,500  versus a total put value of  717,018,750 Combined total value = 81,527,276,250

Strike  439.75  has a total call value of 84,676,083,750  versus a total put value of  230,715,000 Combined total value = 84,906,798,750

Strike  440  has a total call value of 85,111,155,000  versus a total put value of  186,300,000 Combined total value = 85,297,455,000

Strike  442.5  has a total call value of 89,487,855,000  versus a total put value of  139,725,000 Combined total value = 89,627,580,000

Strike  445  has a total call value of 93,864,555,000  versus a total put value of  93,150,000 Combined total value = 93,957,705,000

Strike  447.5  has a total call value of 98,265,555,000  versus a total put value of  46,575,000 Combined total value = 98,312,130,000

Strike  450  has a total call value of 102,666,555,000  versus a total put value of  0 Combined total value = 102,666,555,000

Max-Pain Table for Stocks
  Note:- click on symbol to see more detailed view
Max Pain Table (Stocks)
Symbol Symbol Ltp Max Pain
360ONE 1137.5 1140
ABB 5131.5 5200
ABCAPITAL 345.8 345
ADANIENSOL 974.85 980
ADANIENT 2229 2300
ADANIGREEN 1012.1 1020
ADANIPORTS 1498.9 1500
ALKEM 5544 5650
AMBER 6620 6800
AMBUJACEM 536.9 550
ANGELONE 2464.9 2550
APLAPOLLO 1805.9 1760
APOLLOHOSP 6969 7100
ASHOKLEY 173.23 163
ASIANPAINT 2782.6 2800
ASTRAL 1407.3 1440
AUBANK 981.45 960
AUROPHARMA 1227.5 1220
AXISBANK 1236.2 1240
BAJAJ-AUTO 8894.5 9000
BAJAJFINSV 2048.9 2060
BAJFINANCE 1008.8 1020
BANDHANBNK 149.25 152.5
BANKBARODA 288.75 290
BANKINDIA 142.15 143
BDL 1344.7 1400
BEL 389.7 400
BHARATFORG 1423.1 1400
BHARTIARTL 2085.8 2100
BHEL 274.45 280
BIOCON 398.5 395
BLUESTARCO 1830.4 1800
BOSCHLTD 35795 36000
BPCL 365.1 365
BRITANNIA 6060.5 6000
BSE 2713.5 2700
CAMS 755.1 770
CANBK 148.69 150
CDSL 1492.5 1540
CGPOWER 662.45 680
CHOLAFIN 1677 1700
CIPLA 1509.3 1520
COALINDIA 384 385
COFORGE 1853.9 1840
COLPAL 2084.8 2160
CONCOR 497.6 520
CROMPTON 251.9 260
CUMMINSIND 4403.8 4450
CYIENT 1144.2 1140
DABUR 493.4 500
DALBHARAT 2022 2040
DELHIVERY 403.4 410
DIVISLAB 6581 6500
DIXON 13255 13500
DLF 683.65 710
DMART 3763.9 3900
DRREDDY 1287.7 1270
EICHERMOT 7196.5 7100
ETERNAL 285.8 295
EXIDEIND 360.5 370
FEDERALBNK 266.5 260
FORTIS 883 890
GAIL 168.19 175
GLENMARK 1979 1940
GMRAIRPORT 101.27 102
GODREJCP 1185.9 1160
GODREJPROP 2009.4 2060
GRASIM 2817.8 2800
HAL 4277.2 4450
HAVELLS 1405 1440
HCLTECH 1647.8 1660
HDFCAMC 2675.7 2680
HDFCBANK 986.8 990
HDFCLIFE 756.8 770
HEROMOTOCO 5749.5 5900
HFCL 64.32 67
HINDALCO 860.45 820
HINDPETRO 464.3 460
HINDUNILVR 2272.1 2300
HINDZINC 584.95 560
HUDCO 207.58 217.5
ICICIBANK 1354.8 1370
ICICIGI 1936 1960
ICICIPRULI 649.4 630
IDEA 11.59 11
IDFCFIRSTB 83.68 82
IEX 139.83 145
IIFL 562.75 560
INDHOTEL 726.1 730
INDIANB 775.45 820
INDIGO 5116 5100
INDUSINDBK 832.5 850
INDUSTOWER 410.25 410
INFY 1648.5 1600
INOXWIND 124.17 130
IOC 161.18 161
IRCTC 667.75 690
IREDA 131.35 137.5
IRFC 111.08 115
ITC 401.05 405
JINDALSTEL 991.5 1020
JIOFIN 294.95 305
JSWENERGY 470 490
JSWSTEEL 1083.4 1120
JUBLFOOD 560.05 580
KALYANKJIL 474 480
KAYNES 4037.5 4300
KEI 4165 4100
KFINTECH 1071 1080
KOTAKBANK 2166.5 2160
KPITTECH 1167.6 1200
LAURUSLABS 1043 1010
LICHSGFIN 529.05 550
LICI 847.3 870
LODHA 1076.9 1100
LT 4078 4040
LTF 300.15 300
LTIM 6138.5 6100
LUPIN 2140.2 2100
M&M 3588.5 3650
MANAPPURAM 285.05 280
MANKIND 2154 2200
MARICO 736.95 730
MARUTI 16384 16300
MAXHEALTH 1073.3 1080
MAZDOCK 2378.7 2500
MCX 10329 10100
MFSL 1669.6 1700
MOTHERSON 119.54 116
MPHASIS 2886.4 2900
MUTHOOTFIN 3732.3 3750
NATIONALUM 280.25 270
NAUKRI 1332 1360
NBCC 109.91 111
NCC 153.22 165
NESTLEIND 1238 1240
NHPC 74.82 78
NMDC 76.2 77
NTPC 318 325
NUVAMA 7133 7300
NYKAA 243.65 250
OBEROIRLTY 1666.1 1660
OFSS 7676 7900
OIL 402.15 410
ONGC 232.53 237.5
PAGEIND 35570 37000
PATANJALI 558.25 550
PAYTM 1305.1 1300
PERSISTENT 6326.5 6300
PETRONET 270.35 278
PFC 336.85 355
PGEL 571.25 560
PHOENIXLTD 1813.3 1760
PIDILITIND 1452.1 1480
PIIND 3211.3 3350
PNB 119 120
PNBHOUSING 898.4 900
POLICYBZR 1835 1840
POLYCAB 7283 7300
POWERGRID 260.2 270
POWERINDIA 18115 18750
PPLPHARMA 169.52 175
PRESTIGE 1615.3 1640
RBLBANK 298.6 305
RECLTD 339.05 355
RELIANCE 1565.8 1550
RVNL 309.6 310
SAIL 125.6 130
SAMMAANCAP 145.5 155
SBICARD 850 870
SBILIFE 2025 2020
SBIN 980.7 970
SHREECEM 25540 26000
SHRIRAMFIN 860.15 850
SIEMENS 3099 3150
SOLARINDS 11735 12500
SONACOMS 484.55 495
SRF 3061 3000
SUNPHARMA 1749.2 1760
SUPREMEIND 3339.8 3400
SUZLON 51.8 54
SYNGENE 659 650
TATACONSUM 1172 1170
TATAELXSI 5211.5 5100
TATAMOTORS 0 320
TATAPOWER 375.3 390
TATASTEEL 168.8 170
TATATECH 645.6 670
TCS 3312 3240
TECHM 1602.7 1560
TIINDIA 2585.3 2700
TITAGARH 770.45 800
TITAN 3940 3880
TMPV 350.7 360
TORNTPHARM 3766 3750
TORNTPOWER 1256.9 1300
TRENT 4037.5 4200
TVSMOTOR 3619 3600
ULTRACEMCO 11490 11600
UNIONBANK 153.61 155
UNITDSPR 1395.9 1430
UNOMINDA 1238 1280
UPL 745.35 750
VBL 471.8 470
VEDL 574.7 555
VOLTAS 1403 1400
WIPRO 264.97 260
YESBANK 21.55 22
ZYDUSLIFE 919.55 930

Note:
Stock LTP > Max Pain Bearish Trend
Stock LTP < Max Pain Bullish Trend
Frequently Asked Questions

Max Pain, also known as the max pain price, is the strike price at which the maximum number of option contracts (both puts and calls) would expire worthless, causing the largest financial losses for option holders at expiration. This price point represents the level where option writers would experience the least payout obligation.

The max pain theory suggests that as expiration approaches, market makers and option writers may attempt to influence the stock price toward this level to minimize their payout obligations, making it a significant reference point for traders analyzing option expiration dynamics.

Max Pain is calculated by determining the total dollar value of in-the-money options at each strike price. Here's the step-by-step process:

  1. For each strike price: Calculate the difference between the current stock price and the strike price.
  2. Multiply by Open Interest: Multiply this difference by the open interest (number of contracts) at that strike for both call and put options.
  3. Sum the values: Add together the dollar value for put options and call options at each strike price.
  4. Repeat for all strikes: Perform this calculation for every available strike price in the option chain.
  5. Identify the maximum: The strike price with the highest combined dollar value is the Max Pain price.

This calculation helps identify the price level where option writers would face the maximum financial loss if the stock closes at that price on expiration day.

Traders can incorporate Max Pain analysis into their trading strategy in several ways:

  • Expiration Day Trading: As option expiration approaches, traders can use Max Pain as a potential support or resistance level, as market makers may attempt to push the price toward this level.
  • Option Selection: Understanding Max Pain helps traders choose strike prices that are less likely to be manipulated, potentially improving their option trade outcomes.
  • Risk Management: If a stock is trading far from Max Pain before expiration, traders can anticipate potential price movement toward this level and adjust their positions accordingly.
  • Market Sentiment Indicator: Comparing the current stock price to Max Pain can provide insights into market sentiment and potential price direction near expiration.
  • Hedging Strategy: Option writers can use Max Pain to identify strike prices where they might face the least payout risk, helping them structure more efficient hedging strategies.

Max Pain provides insights into potential stock price behavior, especially near option expiration:

  • Price Magnet Effect: If the stock price is significantly above or below Max Pain before expiration, there may be a tendency for the price to move toward Max Pain as expiration approaches, as option writers hedge their positions.
  • Support/Resistance Level: Max Pain can act as a psychological and technical support or resistance level, especially on expiration day, as it represents the price where maximum option value would be lost.
  • Volatility Indicator: A large gap between current price and Max Pain may indicate higher potential volatility or price movement as expiration nears.
  • Market Maker Activity: Significant open interest concentration around Max Pain suggests where market makers might have the most incentive to influence price movement through their hedging activities.

Note: Max Pain is a theoretical concept and should be used in conjunction with other technical and fundamental analysis tools, as it does not guarantee price movement.

Max Pain is a dynamic value that changes continuously based on several factors:

  • Open Interest Changes: As traders open and close option positions, the open interest at different strike prices changes, which directly affects the Max Pain calculation.
  • Stock Price Movement: As the underlying stock price moves, different strike prices become in-the-money or out-of-the-money, altering the dollar value calculations.
  • Time Decay: As expiration approaches, the time value of options decreases, but the intrinsic value calculations for Max Pain continue to evolve with price movements.
  • New Option Contracts: When new strike prices are added or when significant new positions are opened, Max Pain may shift to reflect the new distribution of open interest.

For accurate Max Pain analysis, traders should monitor it regularly, especially in the days leading up to expiration, as it can shift significantly as market conditions and option positions change.

Max Pain and Spot Price are two distinct concepts that serve different purposes in options trading:

  • Spot Price (Current Market Price): This is the current trading price of the underlying stock or index in the market. It represents the real-time value at which the asset can be bought or sold immediately.
  • Max Pain Price: This is a calculated theoretical price level based on option open interest data. It represents the strike price where option writers would face minimum payout obligations, not necessarily where the stock is currently trading.

The relationship between these two prices is crucial: when the spot price is far from Max Pain, traders may anticipate potential price movement toward Max Pain as expiration approaches. However, this is not guaranteed, and many other factors influence stock price movement.

No, Max Pain is not always accurate and should not be used as the sole indicator for predicting stock price movement. Here's why:

  • Market Forces: Strong fundamental news, earnings reports, or significant market events can override the Max Pain effect and drive prices in unexpected directions.
  • Institutional Activity: Large institutional trades, algorithmic trading, and other market participants may have different objectives than minimizing option payouts.
  • Limited Influence: While market makers may attempt to influence price toward Max Pain, their ability to do so is limited, especially in highly liquid stocks with strong directional momentum.
  • Multiple Expirations: Stocks often have options expiring on different dates (weekly, monthly), which means multiple Max Pain levels may exist simultaneously, reducing the predictive power of any single level.
  • Statistical Tool: Max Pain is best viewed as a statistical tool that provides context about option market dynamics rather than a guaranteed price target.

Traders should use Max Pain as one of many tools in their analysis, combining it with technical analysis, fundamental analysis, and market sentiment indicators for more comprehensive decision-making.

Max Pain becomes increasingly relevant as option expiration approaches:

  • Last Trading Week: Max Pain analysis is most useful during the final week before expiration, when option writers are actively hedging and the "pinning effect" (price movement toward Max Pain) is most likely to occur.
  • Expiration Day: On the day of expiration, Max Pain can serve as a key reference level, as market makers may attempt to keep the stock price near this level to minimize their payout obligations.
  • High Open Interest: Max Pain is more reliable when there is significant open interest concentrated around specific strike prices, as this indicates where option writers have the most exposure.
  • Low Volatility Periods: During periods of low market volatility, Max Pain may have a stronger influence, as there are fewer competing forces driving price movement.
  • Monthly Expirations: Monthly option expirations (typically the third Friday) often show stronger Max Pain effects compared to weekly expirations, due to higher open interest and more significant market maker involvement.

While Max Pain can be calculated at any time, its predictive value and practical application increase significantly as expiration approaches, making it particularly useful for short-term trading strategies focused on expiration week dynamics.