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Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select: Setup, Payoff and Risk Guide

Nifty Midcap Select level used in this article: Rs 13,850 (as of illustrative reference level; verify current level on NSE). Next monthly (last Tuesday of the month) expiry: 25 August 2026 (Tuesday). Lot size 120. Weekly options on Nifty Midcap Select were discontinued in November 2024 under SEBI's one weekly index per exchange rule; only monthly contracts remain.


25 Aug 202612:24 pm

Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select: Setup, Payoff and Risk Guide

Quick Answer

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select is a three strike, four leg options strategy that combines a bull call spread and a bear call spread sharing a common middle strike, creating a payoff that peaks when Nifty Midcap Select closes exactly at the centre strike at the monthly expiry. With Nifty Midcap Select at Rs 13,850, the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select costs a small net debit at entry, which is the maximum loss, while the maximum profit is concentrated in a narrow zone around the centre strike. The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select may be considered when a trader has a precise view that the index will pin near a specific level by the monthly expiry.

The this strategy differs from the iron condor in an important way: rather than offering a wide profit zone between two short strikes, the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select concentrates its maximum profit in a narrow band around a single centre strike. This makes it a higher precision, generally lower cost strategy, but one that requires the index to land close to a specific level rather than simply staying within a broader range.

Because Nifty Midcap Select only trades monthly contracts, the the position requires the index to be near the chosen centre strike specifically at the monthly expiry, which is a longer and less certain prediction window than a Nifty 50 weekly butterfly would require.

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What Is the Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select?

The this trade uses three strikes and four option legs, all on the same monthly expiry. It can be constructed with calls or puts; a call butterfly is the more commonly used version.

The four legs of a call butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select are:

  • Buy one call at the lower strike
  • Sell two calls at the middle (centre) strike
  • Buy one call at the higher strike

The lower and higher strikes are equidistant from the centre strike. The net debit paid is the maximum loss for the this options approach, and the maximum profit is realised when the index closes exactly at the centre strike at the monthly expiry, though a meaningful profit zone exists around that centre point as well.

How Does the Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select Work?

With Nifty Midcap Select at Rs 13,850, a the spread might use 13,750 as the lower strike, 13,850 as the centre strike, and 13,950 as the higher strike, all equidistant. The position profits most if Nifty Midcap Select closes very close to 13,850 at the monthly expiry.

Parameter Details
Index Nifty Midcap Select (MidcpNifty) (NSE)
Expiry Monthly only, last Tuesday of the month. Effective September 2025 (NSE index expiry swap). Weekly contracts discontinued November 2024.
Lot Size 120 units (effective from January 2026 per NSE circular, reduced from 140)
Strategy Type Neutral, pinned to a specific level, defined risk
Legs 4 (1 long lower call, 2 short centre calls, 1 long higher call)
Max Profit Distance between strikes minus net debit, times lot size, at the centre strike
Max Loss Net debit paid at entry, times lot size
Margin Varies dynamically. Check live margin on your broker's calculator before placing any order.

Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select: Step by Step Setup

  1. Identify the centre strike for the this strategy. With Nifty Midcap Select at Rs 13,850, a centre strike near the current ATM level of 13,850 is common, though the centre strike can also be placed away from ATM to express a specific directional pinning view.
  2. Select the equidistant lower and higher strikes. The distance between the centre strike and each outer strike, referred to as the wing width, determines both the maximum profit and the net debit required for the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select.
  3. Buy one lower strike call, sell two centre strike calls, buy one higher strike call. All four legs of the the position should be placed together, ideally as a single combined order to minimise legging risk.
  4. Calculate the net debit and maximum profit. Maximum profit for the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select equals the wing width minus the net debit, multiplied by 120 units, realised at the centre strike.
  5. Set an exit plan before confirming the this trade order. Because maximum profit is concentrated in a narrow zone, decide in advance whether you will hold to expiry or take a partial profit if the index approaches the centre strike before then.

Illustrative Payoff: Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select

Illustrative example for educational purposes only. Strikes, premiums and calculations are hypothetical and should not be interpreted as a trade recommendation.

Hypothetical setup: Buy 13,750 CE, sell two 13,850 CE, buy 13,950 CE. Net debit: Rs 70 per unit. Lot size: 120 units. Wing width: 100 points.

Nifty Midcap Select at Monthly Expiry P&L Per Unit (Rs) P&L Per Lot (120 units, Rs) Outcome
At or below 13,750 -70 -8,400 Max loss; all calls expire worthless or offset
13,850 (centre strike) +30 +3,600 Max profit
At or above 13,950 -70 -8,400 Max loss; wings fully offset

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select profit zone narrows sharply away from the centre strike. Unlike the iron condor's wider plateau, the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select payoff peaks at a single point and declines on either side, reaching maximum loss at or beyond the outer wing strikes.

Greeks for the Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select

Delta: The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select is close to delta neutral when the index is at the centre strike, developing directional delta as the index moves toward either wing.

Gamma: The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select carries negative gamma near the centre strike as expiry approaches, meaning the position becomes more sensitive to further movement precisely at the point where the trader wants the index to stay pinned.

Theta: Theta is generally positive for the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select when the index is near the centre strike, since the two short options at that strike decay faster than the two long wing options.

Vega: The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select is generally short vega near the centre strike, meaning a rise in implied volatility after entry tends to work against the position if the index is trading near that strike.

When the Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select May Be Considered

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select may be considered when a trader has a specific view that the index will pin near a particular level by the monthly expiry, often based on options derived reference points such as max pain, or when implied volatility is elevated and expected to decline as the index consolidates toward a specific level.

When NOT to Use the Butterfly Spread Nifty Midcap Select

Consider avoiding the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select when you have only a general rangebound view rather than a specific target level, in which case an iron condor's wider profit zone may be more appropriate; the index is likely to trend strongly in one direction; or the wing strikes available do not offer an attractive net debit relative to the potential profit.

Risk Management

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select has defined risk limited to the net debit paid. Because the profit zone is narrow, many traders consider taking partial profits if the index approaches the centre strike before expiry, rather than holding for the theoretical maximum, which requires landing very close to that exact level.

Transaction Costs

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select involves four separate option legs, which can mean higher cumulative transaction costs relative to the typically modest net debit paid. Brokerage, exchange transaction charges, STT, GST, SEBI charges, stamp duty, and bid ask spread impact across four legs should be weighed carefully against the potential profit.

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Butterfly Spread vs Other Nifty Midcap Select Neutral Strategies

Strategy Market View Max Profit Max Loss Profit Zone Complexity
Butterfly Spread Pinned to one price Defined (at centre strike) Defined (net debit) Narrow zone at centre Medium High
Iron Condor Rangebound Defined (net credit) Defined (spread minus credit) Wide zone between two short strikes Medium
Calendar Spread Pinned near one strike, over two expiries Depends on far month IV Defined (net debit) Narrow, near shared strike Medium High

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select offers a narrower but potentially higher precision profit zone compared with the iron condor's wider plateau. The appropriate choice depends on whether the trader has a general rangebound view or a specific target level for Nifty Midcap Select.

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Conclusion

The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select is a defined risk strategy suited to a precise view that the index will pin near a particular level by the monthly expiry, offering a typically lower net debit than a comparable iron condor in exchange for a narrower profit zone. Because Nifty Midcap Select only trades monthly contracts, this pinning view must hold over a full month rather than a single week. Always verify current lot size (120 units from January 2026) and expiry schedule on NSE before executing any trade.

Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information and may or may not be accurate. All examples are illustrative and hypothetical only. Please verify all data including contract specifications, lot sizes, and expiry schedules with the official NSE (nseindia.com) and BSE (bseindia.com) websites before making any investment decision. Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select?

Ans. The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select is a three strike, four leg options strategy that buys one lower strike call, sells two centre strike calls, and buys one higher strike call, all on the same monthly expiry. Maximum profit occurs when the index closes exactly at the centre strike.

What is the maximum loss in the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select?

Ans. The maximum loss is the net debit paid at entry, multiplied by the 120 unit lot size, occurring if the index closes at or beyond either outer wing strike.

What is the maximum profit in the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select?

Ans. The maximum profit equals the wing width (distance between the centre strike and either outer strike) minus the net debit, multiplied by the lot size, realised only when the index closes exactly at the centre strike.

How does the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select differ from an iron condor?

Ans. The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select concentrates maximum profit at a single centre strike with a narrow profit zone, while the iron condor offers a wider plateau of maximum profit between two separated short strikes.

Does Nifty Midcap Select have weekly options for the butterfly spread?

Ans. No. Weekly options on Nifty Midcap Select were discontinued in November 2024. The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select uses only the monthly contract.

What is the current lot size for Nifty Midcap Select options?

Ans. The Nifty Midcap Select lot size is 120 units effective from January 2026, reduced from 140. Always verify the current lot size on nseindia.com.

Is the butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select suitable for beginners?

Ans. The butterfly spread Nifty Midcap Select involves four legs and requires understanding of how the profit zone narrows away from the centre strike, making it better suited to traders with some prior options experience rather than complete beginners.

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Note: This blog is for information purpose only. Investments and trading are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

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