Gianluca Longinotti is an experienced trader, advisor, and financial analyst with over a decade of professional experience in the banking sector, trading, and investment services. Known for his rigorous approach and deep understanding of market dynamics, Gianluca specializes in derivatives and cyclical analysis, with a strong emphasis on options trading strategies and macroeconomic frameworks.
Gianluca is the founder of Cycle Quest, a project focused on applying cyclical models to financial markets, economic indicators, and more. With an international academic background and a passion for data-driven decision-making, Gianluca empowers traders and investors with expert insights, clear strategy frameworks, and cutting-edge tools.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from University of Brescia (Italy)
- Two Master’s Degrees in Economics and Empirical Finance from Sorbonne University (France)
References
- Founder at Cycle Quest
- Contributor at Traders Union
- Author at Tokize.com
- Author at Crypto Adventure
Experience
- Over a decade of experience trading options, with a focus on defined-risk strategies such as vertical spreads, iron condors, and diagonals
- Deep understanding of options pricing models like Black-Scholes and binomial trees, applied daily to position evaluation
- Active user of the CBOE indices as a benchmark to build and test different trading strategies with options
- Expert in managing trades using the Greeks (Delta, Theta, etc.) to dynamically adjust risk
- I regularly post live trade setups and market reads on Gianluca’s Trades via the Option Samurai blog and my personal Stocktwits profile
- Skilled in building algorithmic strategies in Python and Pine Script, with a focus on short-term price action and event-driven plays
- Creator of backtesting environments tailored to options logic using Python’s Pandas and NumPy stack
- Daily use of TradingView, Interactive Brokers, and Databento for execution, charting, and data analysis
- Developed custom automated dashboards in Plotly and Streamlit for real-time tracking of trade performance and volatility curves
- Frequently design strategies aligned with FOMC and macroeconomic indicators for directional and volatility bias
- Strong foundation in fundamental analysis, with deep dives into financial statements and earnings behavior
- Implemented statistical arbitrage and volatility modeling techniques to detect mean-reverting edges
- Experienced in handling expiration risk, assignment logic, and optimizing trade timing around options cycles
- Advocate for integrating behavioral finance principles to mitigate biases and improve trader discipline
- Regularly consult with traders on strategy design, risk control, and automation to elevate their performance across market regimes

Santa Rally Backtest - What 75 Years of S&P 500 Data Reveal
A complete Santa Rally backtest using 75 years of S&P 500 data. Learn how the market typically behaves during this 7 day window, what influences the rally, and more.

Trade Idea - LEAP Long Call on NFLX
I bought a LEAP call on NFLX following the M&A announcement on Warner Bros. The option expires in June 2027.

Short Term Options Trading - Getting Started with the Main Tips
Learn what short term options trading is, how short dated options work, the top short term options strategies, and key risks every trader must know.

Multi Leg Options Explained - Benefits, Risks, and How to Trade Them
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Low Cost Options Trading Explained - Strategies for Small Accounts
Low cost options trading explained with clear strategies for small accounts, from cheap option trades to spreads and the poor man’s covered call.

Options Trading Checklist - What to Review Before Every Trade
Learn how to use an options trading checklist to plan smarter trades, avoid costly mistakes, and stay consistent in any market environment.

Long Call Butterfly on COF
Today I opened a defined-risk, directional trade on Capital One Financial (COF) using a long call butterfly

Can You Sell Covered Calls in an IRA? What Every Retiree Should Know
Can you sell covered calls in an IRA? Find out the answer and start trading options today.

Options Strategy for a Sideways Market - How to Profit When Prices Don’t Move
Discover the best options strategies for a sideways market. Learn how to profit from low volatility phases.

Covered Calls on Dividend Stocks - Monthly Income from Quality Companies
How do you find the best dividend stocks for covered calls, and when should you sell for a covered call dividend?
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