[--[65.84.65.76]--]

COALINDIA

Coal India Ltd
385.05 -0.25 (-0.06%)
L: 383.5 H: 387.35
Max Pain - COALINDIA
19 Dec 2025 12:47 PM IST
Live


Strike  309.75  has a total call value of 0  versus a total put value of  128,342,137,500 Combined total value = 128,342,137,500

Strike  310  has a total call value of 0  versus a total put value of  127,892,857,500 Combined total value = 127,892,857,500

Strike  312.5  has a total call value of 1,687,500  versus a total put value of  123,407,145,000 Combined total value = 123,408,832,500

Strike  314.75  has a total call value of 3,206,250  versus a total put value of  119,370,003,750 Combined total value = 119,373,210,000

Strike  315  has a total call value of 3,375,000  versus a total put value of  118,921,432,500 Combined total value = 118,924,807,500

Strike  317.5  has a total call value of 7,087,500  versus a total put value of  114,435,720,000 Combined total value = 114,442,807,500

Strike  319.75  has a total call value of 10,428,750  versus a total put value of  110,398,578,750 Combined total value = 110,409,007,500

Strike  320  has a total call value of 10,968,750  versus a total put value of  109,950,007,500 Combined total value = 109,960,976,250

Strike  322.5  has a total call value of 19,743,750  versus a total put value of  105,476,782,500 Combined total value = 105,496,526,250

Strike  324.75  has a total call value of 27,641,250  versus a total put value of  101,450,880,000 Combined total value = 101,478,521,250

Strike  325  has a total call value of 28,518,750  versus a total put value of  101,003,557,500 Combined total value = 101,032,076,250

Strike  327.5  has a total call value of 37,293,750  versus a total put value of  96,533,032,500 Combined total value = 96,570,326,250

Strike  329.75  has a total call value of 45,191,250  versus a total put value of  92,509,560,000 Combined total value = 92,554,751,250

Strike  330  has a total call value of 46,068,750  versus a total put value of  92,062,507,500 Combined total value = 92,108,576,250

Strike  332.5  has a total call value of 56,193,750  versus a total put value of  87,607,507,500 Combined total value = 87,663,701,250

Strike  334.75  has a total call value of 65,306,250  versus a total put value of  83,598,007,500 Combined total value = 83,663,313,750

Strike  335  has a total call value of 66,318,750  versus a total put value of  83,152,507,500 Combined total value = 83,218,826,250

Strike  337.5  has a total call value of 77,793,750  versus a total put value of  78,697,845,000 Combined total value = 78,775,638,750

Strike  339.75  has a total call value of 88,121,250  versus a total put value of  74,688,648,750 Combined total value = 74,776,770,000

Strike  340  has a total call value of 89,336,250  versus a total put value of  74,244,870,000 Combined total value = 74,334,206,250

Strike  342.25  has a total call value of 102,093,750  versus a total put value of  70,320,420,000 Combined total value = 70,422,513,750

Strike  342.5  has a total call value of 103,511,250  versus a total put value of  69,884,370,000 Combined total value = 69,987,881,250

Strike  344.75  has a total call value of 116,268,750  versus a total put value of  65,960,223,750 Combined total value = 66,076,492,500

Strike  345  has a total call value of 117,686,250  versus a total put value of  65,525,490,000 Combined total value = 65,643,176,250

Strike  347.25  has a total call value of 131,355,000  versus a total put value of  61,758,686,250 Combined total value = 61,890,041,250

Strike  347.5  has a total call value of 132,873,750  versus a total put value of  61,340,962,500 Combined total value = 61,473,836,250

Strike  349.75  has a total call value of 146,542,500  versus a total put value of  57,591,168,750 Combined total value = 57,737,711,250

Strike  350  has a total call value of 148,162,500  versus a total put value of  57,176,853,750 Combined total value = 57,325,016,250

Strike  352.25  has a total call value of 172,766,250  versus a total put value of  53,585,313,750 Combined total value = 53,758,080,000

Strike  352.5  has a total call value of 175,500,000  versus a total put value of  53,188,548,750 Combined total value = 53,364,048,750

Strike  354.75  has a total call value of 200,103,750  versus a total put value of  49,631,636,250 Combined total value = 49,831,740,000

Strike  355  has a total call value of 202,837,500  versus a total put value of  49,238,583,750 Combined total value = 49,441,421,250

Strike  357.25  has a total call value of 230,175,000  versus a total put value of  45,736,650,000 Combined total value = 45,966,825,000

Strike  357.5  has a total call value of 233,212,500  versus a total put value of  45,350,617,500 Combined total value = 45,583,830,000

Strike  359.75  has a total call value of 260,550,000  versus a total put value of  41,901,232,500 Combined total value = 42,161,782,500

Strike  360  has a total call value of 263,587,500  versus a total put value of  41,520,971,250 Combined total value = 41,784,558,750

Strike  362.25  has a total call value of 314,617,500  versus a total put value of  38,315,801,250 Combined total value = 38,630,418,750

Strike  362.5  has a total call value of 320,287,500  versus a total put value of  37,963,721,250 Combined total value = 38,284,008,750

Strike  364.75  has a total call value of 371,317,500  versus a total put value of  34,815,656,250 Combined total value = 35,186,973,750

Strike  365  has a total call value of 376,987,500  versus a total put value of  34,471,440,000 Combined total value = 34,848,427,500

Strike  367.25  has a total call value of 431,662,500  versus a total put value of  31,460,366,250 Combined total value = 31,892,028,750

Strike  367.5  has a total call value of 437,737,500  versus a total put value of  31,131,607,500 Combined total value = 31,569,345,000

Strike  369.75  has a total call value of 494,842,500  versus a total put value of  28,226,846,250 Combined total value = 28,721,688,750

Strike  370  has a total call value of 501,963,750  versus a total put value of  27,912,060,000 Combined total value = 28,414,023,750

Strike  372.25  has a total call value of 671,152,500  versus a total put value of  25,356,611,250 Combined total value = 26,027,763,750

Strike  372.5  has a total call value of 692,482,500  versus a total put value of  25,080,097,500 Combined total value = 25,772,580,000

Strike  374.75  has a total call value of 930,622,500  versus a total put value of  22,678,346,250 Combined total value = 23,608,968,750

Strike  375  has a total call value of 962,313,750  versus a total put value of  22,422,858,750 Combined total value = 23,385,172,500

Strike  377.25  has a total call value of 1,437,682,500  versus a total put value of  20,453,040,000 Combined total value = 21,890,722,500

Strike  377.5  has a total call value of 1,492,391,250  versus a total put value of  20,239,875,000 Combined total value = 21,732,266,250

Strike  379.75  has a total call value of 2,033,370,000  versus a total put value of  18,389,430,000 Combined total value = 20,422,800,000

Strike  380  has a total call value of 2,100,903,750  versus a total put value of  18,189,798,750 Combined total value = 20,290,702,500

Strike  382.25  has a total call value of 3,128,490,000  versus a total put value of  16,712,662,500 Combined total value = 19,841,152,500

Strike  382.5  has a total call value of 3,248,268,750  versus a total put value of  16,553,160,000 Combined total value = 19,801,428,750

Strike  384.75  has a total call value of 4,382,167,500  versus a total put value of  15,182,336,250 Combined total value = 19,564,503,750

Strike  385  has a total call value of 4,523,411,250  versus a total put value of  15,038,223,750 Combined total value = 19,561,635,000

Strike  387.25  has a total call value of 6,064,942,500  versus a total put value of  13,956,266,250 Combined total value = 20,021,208,750

Strike  387.5  has a total call value of 6,244,053,750  versus a total put value of  13,839,727,500 Combined total value = 20,083,781,250

Strike  389.75  has a total call value of 8,190,483,750  versus a total put value of  12,814,875,000 Combined total value = 21,005,358,750

Strike  390  has a total call value of 8,415,225,000  versus a total put value of  12,707,583,750 Combined total value = 21,122,808,750

Strike  392.25  has a total call value of 10,816,976,250  versus a total put value of  11,992,860,000 Combined total value = 22,809,836,250

Strike  392.5  has a total call value of 11,088,393,750  versus a total put value of  11,913,885,000 Combined total value = 23,002,278,750

Strike  394.75  has a total call value of 13,577,928,750  versus a total put value of  11,204,021,250 Combined total value = 24,781,950,000

Strike  395  has a total call value of 13,862,846,250  versus a total put value of  11,125,147,500 Combined total value = 24,987,993,750

Strike  397.25  has a total call value of 16,594,773,750  versus a total put value of  10,437,153,750 Combined total value = 27,031,927,500

Strike  397.5  has a total call value of 16,902,067,500  versus a total put value of  10,360,710,000 Combined total value = 27,262,777,500

Strike  399.75  has a total call value of 19,710,540,000  versus a total put value of  9,673,020,000 Combined total value = 29,383,560,000

Strike  400  has a total call value of 20,027,621,250  versus a total put value of  9,597,150,000 Combined total value = 29,624,771,250

Strike  402.25  has a total call value of 23,228,235,000  versus a total put value of  9,006,660,000 Combined total value = 32,234,895,000

Strike  402.5  has a total call value of 23,588,381,250  versus a total put value of  8,941,050,000 Combined total value = 32,529,431,250

Strike  404.75  has a total call value of 26,857,642,500  versus a total put value of  8,350,560,000 Combined total value = 35,208,202,500

Strike  405  has a total call value of 27,221,872,500  versus a total put value of  8,285,962,500 Combined total value = 35,507,835,000

Strike  407.25  has a total call value of 30,577,095,000  versus a total put value of  7,711,875,000 Combined total value = 38,288,970,000

Strike  407.5  has a total call value of 30,951,618,750  versus a total put value of  7,648,121,250 Combined total value = 38,599,740,000

Strike  409.75  has a total call value of 34,338,127,500  versus a total put value of  7,074,337,500 Combined total value = 41,412,465,000

Strike  410  has a total call value of 34,726,488,750  versus a total put value of  7,010,752,500 Combined total value = 41,737,241,250

Strike  412.5  has a total call value of 38,917,901,250  versus a total put value of  6,414,727,500 Combined total value = 45,332,628,750

Strike  414.75  has a total call value of 42,694,728,750  versus a total put value of  5,878,608,750 Combined total value = 48,573,337,500

Strike  415  has a total call value of 43,116,840,000  versus a total put value of  5,819,040,000 Combined total value = 48,935,880,000

Strike  417.5  has a total call value of 47,345,715,000  versus a total put value of  5,226,052,500 Combined total value = 52,571,767,500

Strike  419.75  has a total call value of 51,158,688,750  versus a total put value of  4,692,667,500 Combined total value = 55,851,356,250

Strike  420  has a total call value of 51,583,466,250  versus a total put value of  4,633,571,250 Combined total value = 56,217,037,500

Strike  422.5  has a total call value of 55,876,128,750  versus a total put value of  4,058,471,250 Combined total value = 59,934,600,000

Strike  424.75  has a total call value of 59,739,525,000  versus a total put value of  3,540,881,250 Combined total value = 63,280,406,250

Strike  425  has a total call value of 60,169,432,500  versus a total put value of  3,483,371,250 Combined total value = 63,652,803,750

Strike  427.5  has a total call value of 64,484,370,000  versus a total put value of  2,909,283,750 Combined total value = 67,393,653,750

Strike  429.75  has a total call value of 68,367,813,750  versus a total put value of  2,392,605,000 Combined total value = 70,760,418,750

Strike  430  has a total call value of 68,801,501,250  versus a total put value of  2,338,031,250 Combined total value = 71,139,532,500

Strike  432.5  has a total call value of 73,151,876,250  versus a total put value of  1,797,693,750 Combined total value = 74,949,570,000

Strike  434.75  has a total call value of 77,067,213,750  versus a total put value of  1,311,390,000 Combined total value = 78,378,603,750

Strike  435  has a total call value of 77,502,420,000  versus a total put value of  1,257,356,250 Combined total value = 78,759,776,250

Strike  437.5  has a total call value of 81,859,207,500  versus a total put value of  717,018,750 Combined total value = 82,576,226,250

Strike  439.75  has a total call value of 85,780,316,250  versus a total put value of  230,715,000 Combined total value = 86,011,031,250

Strike  440  has a total call value of 86,221,530,000  versus a total put value of  186,300,000 Combined total value = 86,407,830,000

Strike  442.5  has a total call value of 90,670,455,000  versus a total put value of  139,725,000 Combined total value = 90,810,180,000

Strike  445  has a total call value of 95,119,380,000  versus a total put value of  93,150,000 Combined total value = 95,212,530,000

Strike  447.5  has a total call value of 99,592,605,000  versus a total put value of  46,575,000 Combined total value = 99,639,180,000

Strike  450  has a total call value of 104,065,830,000  versus a total put value of  0 Combined total value = 104,065,830,000

Max-Pain Table for Stocks
  Note:- click on symbol to see more detailed view
Max Pain Table (Stocks)
Symbol Symbol Ltp Max Pain
360ONE 1131.6 1140
ABB 5133 5200
ABCAPITAL 344.95 345
ADANIENSOL 975.9 980
ADANIENT 2220.3 2300
ADANIGREEN 1011.5 1020
ADANIPORTS 1495.8 1500
ALKEM 5525.5 5650
AMBER 6678 6800
AMBUJACEM 535.65 550
ANGELONE 2472 2550
APLAPOLLO 1805.5 1760
APOLLOHOSP 6978.5 7100
ASHOKLEY 173.57 164
ASIANPAINT 2789.3 2800
ASTRAL 1414.4 1440
AUBANK 978.95 960
AUROPHARMA 1218.7 1220
AXISBANK 1233.8 1240
BAJAJ-AUTO 8977.5 9000
BAJAJFINSV 2033.9 2060
BAJFINANCE 1005.1 1020
BANDHANBNK 149.31 150
BANKBARODA 290.25 290
BANKINDIA 142.54 143
BDL 1355.1 1400
BEL 389.45 400
BHARATFORG 1423.5 1400
BHARTIARTL 2088.4 2100
BHEL 275.4 280
BIOCON 394 395
BLUESTARCO 1775.2 1800
BOSCHLTD 35650 36000
BPCL 363.45 365
BRITANNIA 6095.5 6000
BSE 2710 2700
CAMS 749.7 770
CANBK 147.9 150
CDSL 1490.8 1540
CGPOWER 664.45 680
CHOLAFIN 1644.5 1700
CIPLA 1509.1 1520
COALINDIA 385.05 385
COFORGE 1842.9 1840
COLPAL 2090.2 2160
CONCOR 499.45 520
CROMPTON 251.75 260
CUMMINSIND 4346.9 4400
CYIENT 1143.7 1140
DABUR 493.35 500
DALBHARAT 2010.3 2020
DELHIVERY 403.6 410
DIVISLAB 6456 6500
DIXON 13127 13500
DLF 683.75 710
DMART 3787.6 3900
DRREDDY 1273.9 1270
EICHERMOT 7204.5 7100
ETERNAL 287.5 295
EXIDEIND 362.6 370
FEDERALBNK 266.45 260
FORTIS 879.75 890
GAIL 168.53 175
GLENMARK 1955.3 1940
GMRAIRPORT 100.8 102
GODREJCP 1179.8 1160
GODREJPROP 2016.2 2060
GRASIM 2813.4 2800
HAL 4288.4 4450
HAVELLS 1407.1 1440
HCLTECH 1639.6 1660
HDFCAMC 2649.1 2675
HDFCBANK 983.7 990
HDFCLIFE 758.65 770
HEROMOTOCO 5771.5 5900
HFCL 64.03 67
HINDALCO 850.5 820
HINDPETRO 467.5 460
HINDUNILVR 2278.1 2300
HINDZINC 587.75 560
HUDCO 208.77 217.5
ICICIBANK 1355.9 1370
ICICIGI 1946.1 1960
ICICIPRULI 649.4 630
IDEA 11.63 11
IDFCFIRSTB 84.93 82
IEX 140.42 145
IIFL 560.65 560
INDHOTEL 726.6 730
INDIANB 778.3 810
INDIGO 5155.5 5100
INDUSINDBK 838.45 850
INDUSTOWER 412.25 410
INFY 1638.8 1600
INOXWIND 124.55 130
IOC 161.4 161
IRCTC 668.7 690
IREDA 131.6 137.5
IRFC 111.52 115
ITC 402.15 405
JINDALSTEL 988.3 1020
JIOFIN 296.4 305
JSWENERGY 474.1 490
JSWSTEEL 1080.8 1120
JUBLFOOD 564.25 580
KALYANKJIL 475.7 480
KAYNES 4134.5 4300
KEI 4172.3 4100
KFINTECH 1075 1080
KOTAKBANK 2167.5 2160
KPITTECH 1181.9 1200
LAURUSLABS 1033.6 1010
LICHSGFIN 530.45 550
LICI 850.1 870
LODHA 1079.7 1100
LT 4088 4040
LTF 299.95 300
LTIM 6151.5 6100
LUPIN 2118.4 2100
M&M 3606.5 3650
MANAPPURAM 288.15 280
MANKIND 2142.8 2200
MARICO 741 730
MARUTI 16436 16300
MAXHEALTH 1072.4 1080
MAZDOCK 2378.4 2500
MCX 10325 10100
MFSL 1668.6 1680
MOTHERSON 120.06 116
MPHASIS 2884.9 2900
MUTHOOTFIN 3746.1 3750
NATIONALUM 277.65 272.5
NAUKRI 1327.9 1360
NBCC 111.8 111
NCC 153.5 162.5
NESTLEIND 1240.3 1240
NHPC 75.4 78
NMDC 76.02 77
NTPC 318.45 325
NUVAMA 7075.5 7200
NYKAA 244.9 250
OBEROIRLTY 1660.3 1660
OFSS 7695.5 7900
OIL 404.5 410
ONGC 232.39 237.5
PAGEIND 35725 36500
PATANJALI 558.45 550
PAYTM 1305.7 1300
PERSISTENT 6312.5 6300
PETRONET 271.5 278
PFC 336.8 355
PGEL 573.8 560
PHOENIXLTD 1811.2 1760
PIDILITIND 1449.9 1480
PIIND 3223 3350
PNB 119.22 120
PNBHOUSING 903.5 900
POLICYBZR 1870.2 1840
POLYCAB 7303.5 7300
POWERGRID 261.4 270
POWERINDIA 18075 18500
PPLPHARMA 168.87 175
PRESTIGE 1606.8 1640
RBLBANK 298.15 305
RECLTD 338.35 350
RELIANCE 1568.9 1550
RVNL 310.5 310
SAIL 124.62 130
SAMMAANCAP 144.75 155
SBICARD 858.55 870
SBILIFE 2027.1 2020
SBIN 979.6 970
SHREECEM 25430 26000
SHRIRAMFIN 898.45 870
SIEMENS 3084.7 3150
SOLARINDS 11781 12500
SONACOMS 496.1 500
SRF 3075 3000
SUNPHARMA 1745 1760
SUPREMEIND 3370.7 3400
SUZLON 51.83 54
SYNGENE 647.75 650
TATACONSUM 1181.4 1180
TATAELXSI 5356 5200
TATAMOTORS 0 320
TATAPOWER 376.8 390
TATASTEEL 168.24 170
TATATECH 647.05 670
TCS 3299.2 3240
TECHM 1606.1 1560
TIINDIA 2602.8 2700
TITAGARH 772.1 800
TITAN 3943.5 3880
TMPV 350.6 360
TORNTPHARM 3750 3750
TORNTPOWER 1263.6 1300
TRENT 4053.2 4200
TVSMOTOR 3657.4 3600
ULTRACEMCO 11506 11600
UNIONBANK 153.7 155
UNITDSPR 1400.1 1430
UNOMINDA 1249 1280
UPL 742.65 750
VBL 471.1 470
VEDL 577.1 555
VOLTAS 1378 1380
WIPRO 264.18 260
YESBANK 21.56 22
ZYDUSLIFE 912.85 930

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.