🎯 BUY LCID NOV 21 18/20 CALL SPREAD
I recommend a bull call spread on LCID because the term structure shows options are underpriced relative to historical volatility, with clean IV below the 90-day baseline. The stock is near $19.84, trading just above its 20-day moving average, RSI is neutral at 46.88, and the MACD is bullish, indicating potential for a moderate upside move ahead of the next earnings on November 6, 2025. The options market shows an IV rank of 72% and an above-average implied volatility of 80.2%, suggesting favorable pricing for buying premium. The spread captures upside potential while limiting risk.
Buy LCID Nov 21 18/20 Call Spread
Stock Price: $19.84 | Entry: Approx. $1.30 debit (Buy 18 Call ~ $2.40 ask, Sell 20 Call ~ $1.10 bid)
📊 Trade Metrics
• Risk: $130 per spread
• Max Profit: $70 per spread (difference between strikes $2 minus debit $1.30)
• Breakeven: $19.30 at expiration (strike 18 + debit $1.30)
• Days to Expiration: 67 (Nov 21, 2025)
• Win Probability: Moderate (Delta of 18 Call ~0.70, 20 Call ~0.48)
📈 Term Structure & Volatility Analysis
• Baseline 90-day Historical Volatility: 92.1%
• 48-day Clean IV: ~62.9% (below baseline, indicating underpriced options)
• Market IV: 66.3% (moderately elevated)
• Earnings Multiplier: 1.23x (low, suggesting minimal expected earnings volatility)
• IV Rank: 72% (above average but not extreme)
• Calendar Opportunity: Limited IV skew between near and longer term, favoring buying premium in longer expirations
📈 Greeks & Volatility
• Net Delta: Positive (bullish)
• Theta: Moderate negative (time decay manageable with this timeframe)
• Vega: Positive (benefits from potential volatility increase)
🎯 Why This Trade
The term structure indicates options are underpriced relative to historical volatility, especially in expirations after the upcoming earnings report on November 6, 2025. The stock price at $19.84 is supported by the 20-day moving average ($19.69) and MACD is bullish, suggesting a potential recovery or upward move. The November 21 expiration avoids premature expiry before earnings and captures any post-earnings upside. The 18/20 call spread limits maximum loss to $130 per spread while allowing upside participation if LCID rallies above $20.
Recent market intelligence notes Lucid’s 1-for-10 reverse stock split on September 2, 2025, which has pressured the stock but may also set a base for recovery. The EV sector is mixed but LCID’s fundamentals and technicals suggest a cautiously bullish stance. The Fed’s steady rates and hints at future cuts provide a supportive macro backdrop for growth stocks like LCID.
📊 Pro Analysis
• Current IV (80.2%) is above historical but clean IV for this expiration is below baseline, favoring buying premium
• Put/Call Ratio 0.63 indicates more calls being bought, bullish sentiment
• Technicals: RSI neutral, MACD bullish, price above 20-day MA
• Max Pain at $18 suggests some support near that level, making 18 strike a good base for the spread
🔍 Earnings Date Check
• Next Earnings: November 6, 2025
• Recommended expiration: November 21, 2025 (after earnings, capturing potential move)
• Validation: ✅ Expires AFTER earnings, suitable for earnings play
💡 Trade Management
• Entry: Limit order at $1.30 debit (midpoint between bid/ask)
• Target: Close spread at $2.00 (about 50% profit)
• Stop: Exit if LCID falls below $17.50 or if the spread loses 50% of its value
• Time Stop: Close 3-5 days before expiration to avoid time decay acceleration
📅 Economic & Market Context
• Fed held rates steady on September 17, 2025, with hints of future cuts, supporting risk assets
• Recent geopolitical tensions (Israel strikes on Iran nuclear sites) add market volatility, favoring defined-risk trades
• EV sector peers (RIVN, TSLA) showing mixed performance, LCID slightly outperforming recently after reverse split selloff
• Technical support at 20-day MA ($19.69), resistance near $22.79 (50-day MA) and $24.72 (200-day MA)
• Fundamentals: EPS negative, but revenue growth expected, profit margin still negative
🔒 Pricing Validation
• 18 Call intrinsic: max(0, 19.84 - 18) = $1.84, trading ~ $2.40 ask (above intrinsic) ✅
• 20 Call intrinsic: max(0, 19.84 - 20) = $0, trading ~ $1.10 bid (above intrinsic) ✅
• Spread debit: $1.30, less than $2 width, correct pricing ✅
• Put-Call parity and spread logic verified
Confidence Level: Moderate to High, based on technical setup, term structure, and risk-limited strategy. The trade balances upside potential with defined risk and avoids premature earnings expiry.
Risk Assessment: Limited to $130 per spread. Risks include LCID failing to break above $20 by expiration, broader market downturns, or negative earnings surprises. Time decay is manageable due to longer expiration.
This trade provides a structured bullish exposure to LCID with a controlled risk profile aligned with current market conditions and upcoming earnings.