Negative Gamma Risk

Definition

Negative gamma risk occurs when an options position or a portfolio exhibits a negative second-order derivative of its value with respect to the underlying asset price. This condition implies that the delta of the position moves in the direction of the market, effectively requiring the trader to sell as prices fall and buy as prices rise to maintain a neutral hedge. Such dynamics often accelerate losses during periods of high volatility, leading to a phenomenon frequently described as being short convexity.