Weekly vs Monthly Options: Which is Better for Consistent Returns?

“Consistency is not about speed; it’s about rhythm.”

When it comes to generating steady income from options, one of the most common dilemmas traders face is choosing between weekly vs monthly options. Both have their advantages, and both cater to different kinds of traders. Here’s how to make the right pick for your trading goals.


Understanding the Basics

Before diving into which is better, let’s first understand what these options mean.

  • Weekly Options expire every Thursday.
  • Monthly Options expire on the last Thursday of the month.

Both types function the same way — the difference lies in duration, risk, and flexibility.


Benefits of Weekly Options

1. Higher Frequency of Opportunities:
You get 4–5 expiries in a month, allowing quicker compounding and active management.

2. Better Premium Decay:
Time decay accelerates in the last few days before expiry. Weeklies let you capitalize on this decay repeatedly.

3. Easier Risk Management:
Smaller duration means less exposure to long-term uncertainties like major policy changes or earnings announcements.


Drawbacks of Weekly Options

  • Requires More Monitoring:
    Frequent adjustments are needed.
  • Higher Transaction Costs:
    More trades can mean higher brokerage and slippage.

Benefits of Monthly Options

1. More Stability:
With more time to expiry, monthly options are less volatile.

2. Better for Long-Term Strategies:
Ideal for iron condors, calendar spreads, and positional option selling.

3. Lower Management Effort:
Once placed, you can let your trade play out over a few weeks with minimal intervention.


Drawbacks of Monthly Options

  • Slower Time Decay:
    Premium erosion is slower in the initial weeks.
  • Larger Exposure Window:
    More time means more risk from macroeconomic events or sudden news.

What Should You Choose?

If you have time to actively manage trades and want faster returns, weekly options are ideal.

If you prefer stability and low maintenance, monthly options offer better control.

As a consistent option seller, it’s not about picking one over the other — it’s about aligning with your risk appetite, time availability, and market outlook.


Final Thoughts

In my own journey, I use a hybrid approach — focusing on weekly options for active income and monthly positions for hedged strategies. This way, I capture both agility and stability.

Consistency comes from strategy, not expiry.


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