August 11, 2026: implied volatility runs elevated, topped by ORCL
Our automated end-of-session scan surfaced 12 defined-risk setups across 10 names. The average modelled probability of profit was 57%, with implied volatility averaging 42.2% across the list.
See today’s live scanMarket posture
The session leaned neutral: 50% of the setups our scan kept were market-neutral, premium-selling structures such as iron condors — the profile that pays when a name is expected to stay inside a range rather than trend hard either way. When range-bound trades dominate the scan it usually means implied volatility is high enough to be worth selling, but no clear directional edge is on offer.
Where the volatility is
Implied volatility — the price the market puts on future movement — was richest in ORCL (72%), MU (65.3%), COIN (60%). Those are the names where option premium is most inflated, so premium-selling is best paid there, but also where a surprise hurts the most. Fat premium ahead of a catalyst is exactly the "buy the rumor, sell the news" setup: the price is high because the market is bracing for a move.
Setups from the scan
The highest-scoring defined-risk setups from the scan (educational examples, not recommendations):
- Iron Butterfly on CAT — roughly a 60% modelled probability of profit over 30 days, about $2,136 of maximum profit against $360 of defined risk, with break-evens near 866.4.
- Iron Butterfly on ORCL — roughly a 62% modelled probability of profit over 30 days, about $617 of maximum profit against $133 of defined risk, with break-evens near 151.18.
- Iron Butterfly on SMH — roughly a 56% modelled probability of profit over 30 days, about $1,229 of maximum profit against $230 of defined risk, with break-evens near 557.3.
- Iron Condor on ORCL — roughly a 62% modelled probability of profit over 30 days, about $335 of maximum profit against $115 of defined risk, with break-evens near 151.35.
This note is generated from an automated end-of-session options scan and is educational market commentary — not investment advice or a recommendation to trade. Modelled probabilities and premiums are estimates; real fills and outcomes differ. Options involve substantial risk. Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions.