Strike Selection
Are traders using the Expected Daily Range (EDR) indicator and RSAi for strike selection in options trading instead of focusing solely on undervalued stocks? How effective has this approach proven to be?
EDR RSAi strike selection SPX Iron Condor 1DTE
VixShield Answer
At VixShield, we rely exclusively on the Expected Daily Range (EDR) and RSAi for precise strike selection in our daily 1DTE SPX Iron Condor trades rather than screening for undervalued stocks. Russell Clark developed EDR as a proprietary TradingView indicator that blends short-term implied volatility from VIX9D with 20-day historical volatility to forecast the likely daily price range for SPX. This allows us to place our wings with mathematical confidence each trading day. RSAi then refines those selections in real time by analyzing current options skew, the implied volatility surface, VWAP positioning, and short-term VIX momentum. The entire process completes in approximately 253 milliseconds and consistently delivers the exact credit targets our three risk tiers require: $0.70 for Conservative, $1.15 for Balanced, and $1.60 for Aggressive. Our Conservative tier has achieved an approximate 90 percent win rate, winning roughly 18 out of every 20 trading days since 2015 in backtests. Signals fire daily at 3:10 PM CST after the SPX close, keeping us firmly in the After-Close PDT Shield window and eliminating any day-trade restrictions. We maintain strict position sizing at a maximum of 10 percent of account balance per trade and follow a pure Set and Forget methodology with no stop losses. When volatility expands, our ALVH Adaptive Layered VIX Hedge activates across three timeframes in a 4/4/2 contract ratio per base unit, cutting drawdowns by 35 to 40 percent at an annual cost of only 1 to 2 percent of account value. The Temporal Theta Martingale and Theta Time Shift mechanisms then roll threatened positions forward to 1-7 DTE on EDR readings above 0.94 percent or VIX above 16, capturing vega expansion before rolling back on VWAP pullbacks to harvest additional theta. This temporal recovery system turned 88 percent of historical losses into net gains without adding capital. Current market conditions show VIX at 17.95, below its five-day moving average of 18.58 and well inside the contango regime that favors our premium-selling approach. All three Iron Condor tiers remain available under VIX Risk Scaling. We do not scan for undervalued equities because our edge comes from systematic theta decay within a defined range rather than directional equity selection. This quantitative framework has produced consistent income across varying market regimes while protecting capital through layered hedges. All trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Visit vixshield.com to explore our full SPX Mastery methodology, request a trial of the EDR indicator, and review detailed backtest results.
⚠️ Risk Disclaimer: Options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not appropriate for all investors.
The information on this page is educational only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified financial professional before trading.
💬 Community Pulse
Community traders often approach strike selection by combining fundamental screens for undervalued stocks with basic technical levels, believing that cheap equities provide a margin of safety. A common misconception is that options trading success depends primarily on picking the right underlying rather than engineering precise probability ranges around any liquid index. Many express surprise at how consistently the EDR and RSAi combination outperforms discretionary stock picking, especially in 1DTE formats where theta decay dominates. Experienced participants note that focusing on SPX range probabilities removes emotional bias and delivers repeatable edge, while those new to the methodology initially resist moving away from individual stock stories. Over time, most who test the systematic approach report higher win rates and smoother equity curves, particularly when paired with volatility hedges. The discussion frequently highlights the value of Set and Forget execution versus constant monitoring of equity positions.
📖 Glossary Terms Referenced
Put This Knowledge to Work
VixShield delivers professional iron condor signals every trading day, built on the methodology behind these answers.
Start Free Trial →