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Best Options Strategy for NDAQ

By Dennis Bosmans · Updated 2026 · 2 min read · Risk disclaimer

Looking for the best options strategy for Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ)? There is no single answer — the right play depends on your outlook, your risk tolerance and current implied volatility. Below, our free engine shows the highest-scoring defined-risk strategy on the live NDAQ option chain right now, and a simple map from your view on NDAQ to the strategy that fits it. Model any of them in the calculator before you trade.

About NDAQ

Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) is a major company in Financial Data & Stock Exchanges. Options traders on NDAQ tend to watch , since these can drive large moves in the share price.

Today's top-scoring strategy for NDAQ

Our engine ranks defined-risk strategies on the live NDAQ chain by probability of profit and risk/reward, then surfaces the best-scoring one. It is an educational illustration, not advice.

Long Call Butterfly neutral
Price: $100.00Implied volatility: 32%Expiration: 2026-07-17 (30d)
ActionQtyTypeStrikePremium
BuyCALL$95$6.83
SellCALL$100$3.82
BuyCALL$105$1.87
P/L at expiry vs today At expiry Today ±1σ
$82$100$118
Max Profit
$394
Max Loss
−$106
Net Debit (cost)
$106
Breakeven(s)
$96.06, $103.94
Position Greeks
Δ
0.43
Γ
−1.202
Θ
1.69
ν
−3.16
Time decay (price held)

Simulation

Forward simulation of 6,000 lognormal price paths to expiration — not a historical backtest.

Win rate
33%
Mean P/L
−$2
Median
−$106
Exp. move (1σ)
9%
5th pct
−$106
25th pct
−$106
75th pct
$96
95th pct
$333

Strategy analysis

Simulated price paths (time × price)
now $100BE $96BE $104$86$101$1160d15d30d
$-100$144$388

Greeks vs price

Δ — $ P/L per $1 move in the underlying (share-equivalent exposure).
Θ — $ P/L per day from time decay.
ν — $ P/L per +1% in implied volatility.
Γ — how fast delta changes per $1 move.

Price × volatility (today)

−30%−15%IV+15%+30%
$125−$105−$103−$99−$94−$89
$120−$102−$96−$88−$82−$77
$115−$88−$77−$69−$64−$61
$110−$50−$42−$40−$41−$43
$105$10−$1−$11−$20−$28
$100$42$18$0−$13−$23
$95$3−$7−$16−$25−$32
$90−$64−$55−$52−$51−$52
$85−$98−$91−$84−$78−$75
$80−$105−$103−$100−$96−$92
$75−$106−$106−$105−$104−$101
Analyze NDAQ in the calculator → Share this pick ↗

Illustrative example at NDAQ's latest available price, computed with the same engine as the tool. Live option fills and the real IV skew refresh during US market hours.

Implied volatility

NDAQ typically trades with moderate implied volatility, broadly in line with other large-cap stocks. Implied volatility drives option prices, so it is worth checking the live chain before you trade.

NDAQ insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)

Open-market insider transactions at NDAQ over roughly the last six months, from SEC Form 4 filings. Open-market buys are the rarer, more telling signal — routine selling under pre-arranged plans is common, so read a net-selling figure with that in mind.

Open-market buys
1 · $4.9M
Open-market sells
16 · $18.1M
Net (buy − sell)
−$13.2M
InsiderActionSharesValueDate
SKULE JEREMYSell2,250$213K2026-08-10
Griggs PC NelsonSell3,226$310K2026-08-10
Peterson Bradley JSell6,000$573K2026-08-07
Smith Bryan EverardSell1,556$148K2026-08-03
Griggs PC NelsonSell11,010$1.1M2026-07-29
Griggs PC NelsonSell11,010$1.0M2026-07-27

Source: SEC Form 4 filings via Finnhub. Open-market purchases (P) and sales (S) only — grants, option exercises, gifts and tax withholding are excluded. Informational context, not investment advice.

NDAQ congressional trading (STOCK Act)

Recent NDAQ stock trades disclosed by members of the US Congress under the STOCK Act. Lawmakers must report trades within 45 days; amounts are disclosed only as broad ranges, and a trade is not an endorsement — treat it as context, not a signal.

Recent buys
0
Recent sells
1
MemberChamberActionAmountDate
April Delaney (MD06)HouseSell$100,001 - $250,0002026-08-25

Source: US House & Senate financial disclosures via Financial Modeling Prep. Amounts are the disclosed ranges. Informational context, not investment advice.

Earnings & IV crush

NDAQ's next earnings report is due around October 22, 2026. Options that expire after it price in a binary move, so their implied volatility is elevated and usually collapses right after the announcement — an "IV crush". If your expiration falls before this date, the trade sidesteps the event.

Dividend and assignment risk

NDAQ pays a dividend of about 1.3% a year, so short or covered calls on it carry early-assignment risk around each ex-dividend date — in-the-money calls are most exposed just before the stock goes ex-dividend.

Key figures

Market cap
$51.0B
Beta (vs market)
0.97
52-week range
$76.55–$101.79
Short interest
1.6% of float · 2.3 days to cover

How to choose an options strategy for NDAQ

Start with your outlook on NDAQ, then match it to a defined-risk structure. Here are the most common choices and when each makes sense:

Bullish

You expect NDAQ to rise

Buy a call for leverage with capped risk, or a bull call spread to lower the cost and breakeven when you have a target price.

Long Call → Bull Call Spread →

Bearish

You expect NDAQ to fall

Buy a put to profit from a decline with defined risk, or a bear put spread to cheapen the trade when you expect a measured move down.

Long Put → Bear Put Spread →

Neutral

You expect NDAQ to trade in a range

Sell an iron condor to collect premium while NDAQ stays between two strikes, or write a covered call against shares you already own.

Iron Condor → Covered Call →

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How we pick the best strategy

For each ticker we pull the live option chain, build every supported strategy around the at-the-money strikes, and score them on probability of profit, risk/reward and capital efficiency — favouring defined-risk structures where the maximum loss is known up front. Methodology →

Open NDAQ in the free calculator →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best options strategy for NDAQ?

It depends on your outlook. Bullish traders often use a long call or bull call spread on NDAQ; bearish traders a long put or bear put spread; neutral traders an iron condor or covered call. Our live scan above shows the current highest-scoring defined-risk play.

Are NDAQ options liquid enough to trade?

Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) is among the most actively-traded US options, which usually means tight bid/ask spreads and plenty of strikes and expirations — though you should always check the open interest and spread on the exact contract.

How much money do I need to trade NDAQ options?

Buying a single NDAQ call or put can cost as little as the premium (often one to a few hundred dollars), while income strategies like a cash-secured put need enough capital to buy 100 shares if assigned.

Is this financial advice?

No. Everything here is educational and uses delayed, third-party data. It is not a recommendation to trade NDAQ or any security. Do your own research.

What does Nasdaq, Inc. do?

Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) operates in the Financial Data & Stock Exchanges industry. The "About Nasdaq, Inc." section above gives a fuller picture of what the company does and how it earns money.

Does Nasdaq, Inc. pay a dividend?

Yes — Nasdaq, Inc. currently pays a dividend yielding about 1.3%. If you hold the shares (for example to write a covered call), the ex-dividend date can trigger early assignment, so check it beforehand.

When does Nasdaq, Inc. next report earnings?

Nasdaq, Inc.'s next earnings are expected around October 22, 2026. Implied volatility usually climbs into the report and drops sharply afterwards (IV crush) — important for any options position held over the date.

Price trend

Short term · 1M
▼ -4.7%
Mid term · 3M
▲ +5.1%
Long term · 1Y
▼ -2.9%

Tickers related to NDAQ

Comparing NDAQ with similar names can help you choose the best options strategy:

SPGIS&P Global Inc.MCOMoody's CorporationMSCIMSCI Inc.CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc.CMECME Group Inc.ICEIntercontinental Exchange, Inc.

Company information

Headquarters
151 West 42nd Street, Floors 26, 27, 28, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Industry
Financial Data & Stock Exchanges
Employees
9,630
CEO
Ms. Adena T. Friedman
Phone
212 401 8700
Website
www.nasdaq.com

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Educational use only. Quotes are delayed ~15 minutes and nothing here is financial advice. Options trading involves substantial risk of loss. Privacy · Terms.