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
Tastytrade vs. Interactive Brokers: Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choosing a broker to trade options can be tricky. Is Tastytrade safe and beginner-friendly? Do Interactive Brokers’ advanced features suit professionals better?
Trade Idea – Bear Put Spread on VXX (Part 2)
After exiting my previous VXX trade with a quick gain, I didn’t expect to be back in quite so soon—but here we are.
Simple Synthetic Long Strategies [Synthetic Long Call vs. Synthetic Long Put]
Synthetic long strategies allow investors to replicate traditional options positions using a combination of stock and options. These trades provide flexibility in managing risk and adjusting market exposure.
Trade Idea – Bear Put Spread on VXX
Exploring a bearish options strategy on VXX as volatility spikes on trade war fears. Bear put spread targeting a move below $60 by September.
OCO Bracket Orders Explained: A Way to Manage Multiple Trading Orders
Managing multiple trades at once can be tricky. That’s where an OCO bracket comes in. But what is OCO in trading, and how does it work? This article breaks down the OCO bracket order, explaining...
Long Put Butterfly: Theory and Real-Life Trading Example [Overview]
One of the many ways to make money with options is to build a strategy that gives you a profit from a range-bound market. The put butterfly, also known as long put butterfly (or simply "put fly"),...
Can You Trade Options in an IRA? The Dos and Don'ts to Know
Can you trade options in an IRA? Yes, but it’s not as simple as jumping in. IRA options trading has limits—forget risky moves like naked options or short selling. Instead, think covered calls and...
Index Options vs Stock Options - Choosing the Right Investment For You
When trading options, it’s important to understand the differences between index options and stock options. While both are popular tools for investors, their unique features can make one better...
Options Liquidity - Tips to Identify the Best Opportunities [with Real-Market Example]
Options liquidity matters. It impacts how easily you can trade options without extra costs or frustrating delays. But how do you spot liquid options worth trading? This article breaks down key...
The Wash Sale Rule in Options and Tax Implications You Should Know
Understanding the wash sale rule in options can save you from unexpected tax headaches. Does wash sale apply to options like calls and puts? What are the key tax implications, and how can you avoid...
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