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
Generating Income with a Low Risk Options Strategy
Many traders look for ways to generate income using a low risk options strategy. This guide unpacks the safest options strategy, explores the myth of zero risk option strategies, and reveals the...
Protective Call - A Way to Safeguard Your Short Position with Options
One of the main cons of going short on a stock is the risk of unlimited loss if prices rise unexpectedly. A protective call offers a solution to this issue by hedging your short position with a...
The Basics of Max Pain in Options [Essential Knowledge]
The concept of "max pain" is a recurring one for traders. Max pain in options refers to a theory where stock option prices gravitate towards a point where most options expire worthless....
Trade Idea - Bear Put Spread on MDLZ
Disclaimer: The trades discussed in this blog reflect the author's personal strategies and decisions. These are not financial advice and should not be considered recommendations to buy, sell, or...
Long Straddle Strategy Explained: Tips for Options Traders [with Real-Life Example]
The long straddle strategy is certainly among the most popular choices of options traders. The idea behind this approach is straightforward: buy both a call and a put option on the same asset to...
Backtesting Beta for Volatility Insights: Build Smarter Options Trading Strategies and Portfolio Ideas
As an investor, it is likely you have already come across high-beta stocks. These stocks can significantly overperform in bull markets and underperform in bear scenarios. While we would not advise...
Understanding 0DTE Options [The Basics You Need to Know]
One of the many ways to include options in your portfolio is to select those contracts that are very close to expiration. 0DTE options, meaning "zero days to expiration," offer quick trading...
How to Use the Put-Call Parity Formula in Options Trading (Practical Insights)
Put-call parity is a concept that, every now and then, grows in popularity on online forums among traders seeking to link the prices of puts and calls. This article offers practical insights into...
Gain a Market Edge with Leap Options: Long-Term Strategies and Stock Comparisons [Using LEAPS for Optimized Returns]
If you’re an options trader, you are familiar with the typical leverage offered by buying a LEAPS call option. This longer-term options strategy involves lower capital requirements compared to...
Profiting with Advanced Options Strategies [Real-Market Examples and Tips]
If you think that basic options strategies may sometimes limit you, advanced options strategies offer a way to give you a more dynamic approach. Let's look into complex options strategies, such as...
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