#SPX0dte At 6:33a, Sold to Open $SPX Mar 12th 5110/5140-5145/5175 condors for 17.40, IV 23.67%
20-winged test trade went for 13.85
Author Archives: Jeff
CPI for February
Consumer prices rose 0.4% in February, as expected, and 3.2% from a year ago, vs expected 3.1%
SPX 0-dte 3/11/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Mar 11th 5070/5100-5105/5135 condors for 18.80, IV 23.39%
20-winged test at 14.50
This is high IV and high premium for a day with nothing major scheduled. $VIX is up as well. CPI report tomorrow morning.
Economic Calendar 3/11 – 3/15
CPI report on Tuesday morning
SPX 0dte 3/8/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Mar 8th 5140/5170-5175/5205 condors for 17.35, IV 22.1%
20-point-winged test trade was at 13.65
February Jobs Report
#Jobs — Gains exceed expectations again, but UE rises.
Gain of +275,000 non-farm payroll jobs, vs. expected gain of 198K
Unemployment up 0.2 to 3.9%, vs expected 3.7%
U6 unemployment 7.3%, up by 0.1
Labor force participation unchanged at 62.5%
Average hourly earnings up by 0.1%; 4.3% increase over the year
December jobs revised down by -43K to +290K
January jobs revised down by -124K to 229K
SPX 0-dte 3/7/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Mar 7th 5095/5125-5130/5160 condors for 16.90, IV 19.87%
20-pt winged test trade selling for 13.40
SPX 0-dte 3/6/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX 5075/5105-5110/5140 condors for 17.30.
Internet issues delayed me… when I first entered this it was going for 18.00. Very irritating.
This is a touchy day… Market is trending higher, and Powell will testify before Congress starting at 10am. We also have JOLT jobs report coming. Going for 10% only.
SPX 0-dte 3/5/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Mar 5th 5080/5110-5115/5145 condors for 15.00, IV 16.64%
SPX 0-dte 3/4/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Mar 4th 5095/5125-5130/5160 condors for 12.70, IV 14.57%
That’s lowest premium I’ve seen yet, I guess because IV is low and no economic events today, other than FOMC member Harker speaking at 11am ET.
Earnings 3/4 – 3/8
Economic Calendar 3/4 – 3/8
Jobs report is Friday
SPX 0-dte 3/1/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Mar 1st 5070/5100-5105/5125 condors for 16.90, IV 20.14%
SPX 0-dte trades 2/29/24
#SPX0dte After the open, sold to open $SPX Feb 29th 5065/5095/5125 Iron Butterflys for 18.00, IV 20.93%
Small accounts: 5060/5090-5095/5125 condors for 16.35.
SPX 0-dte trades 2/28/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX 5040/5070/5100 Iron Butterflys for 15.95, IV 16.34%
Small accounts: 5035/5065-5070/5100 for 13.90.
Overnight test: IC centered at 5075-5080 sold for 15.50, was up to 16.75 earlier but is now in profit since SPX has risen closer to the center.
SPX 0-dte trades 2/27/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 27th 5045/5075/5105 Iron Butterflys for 16.55, IV 16.57%
Small accounts: 5040/5070-5075/5105 condors for 14.65.
NOTE: I placed similar PAPER positions at the close last night (the IB was 5 points lower), and since we are little changed from yesterday’s close, the IB gained 1.50 on the IC about 1.75. My day could be over before the open had these been my real trades. I’m going to be testing night-before paper trades for future consideration.
SPX trades 2/26/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX 5060/5090/5120 Iron Butteflys for 16.20, IV 16.3%
Small accounts: 5055/5085-5090/5120 condors for 14.35.
Economic Calendar 2/26 – 3/1
Q4 GDP on Wednesday morning.
Some key inflation data on Thursday morning.
SPX 0-dte
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 22nd 5020/5050/5080 Iron Butterflys for 18.70, IV 21.45%
Small accounts: 5020/5050-5055/5085 condors for 16.85
Waited until after weekly jobs data, but still some economic data coming after the open. I leaned a few points bullish on this, but with the strong overnight trend this one could be a bit touchy if the strength continues after the open.
SPX 0-dte study
#SPX0dte I did a mini-study today to back test WAITING UNTIL EXPIRATION . I went from April 5, 2021, which was the first day we breached SPX 4000, to 2/13/24. I tested the IB with 30-pt wings. Premium taken in of $16 each day.
Total trading days:721
Total wins: 276, $2,370
Total losses: 445, -$5,147
So, definitely not looking beneficial over long term to wait until the close. I suspected this, but wanted to make sure. If we increased premium to $17 or $18 we’d get closer to even but I still think it would be a loss.
SPX 0-dte 2/21/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 21st 4930/4960/4990 #IronButterfly for 18.95, IV 20.1%
Small accounts: 4925/4955-4960/4990 condors for 17.40
Sold a bit earlier than normal so risking premarket moves, with intention of benefitting from premarket volatility drop.
SPX 0-dte 2/20/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 20th 4960/4990/5020 #IronButterfly for 16.85, IV 18.6%
Small accounts: 4960/4990-4995/5025 condors for 14.85.
Earnings 2/19 – 2/23
Economic Calendar 2/19 – 2/23
Tasty Trade 0-dte videos
I have added a hashtag: #TastyTrade to the last three posts that include videos on the subject of 0-dte trades. You can see them by clicking on that hashtag or by entering it in the search box in the right-hand column. I’m also updating the “Hashtag Strategies” in the menu bar at the top of the page.
SPX 0-dte 2/16/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX 4995/5025/5055 #IronButterfly for 17.845
Small accounts: Sold 4990/5020-5025/5055 condors for 16.20.
Sorry I forgot to press “Post” on this but the trade was placed at 6:37am
The Bistro Hall of Revolving Presidents
Back by popular demand, in observance of Presidents’ Day (and trading holiday) on Monday, it’s the Hall of Revolving Presidents. Click “Home/Refresh” or refresh your browser to change the featured President.
SPX 0dte 2/15/24
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 15th 4975/5005/5035 #IronButterfly for 17.00, IV 19.3%
Small account alternative: Sold 4970/5000-5005/5035 condors for 15.40
SPX 0dte 2/14/24
#SPXodte Sold to Open $SPX 4945/4975/5005 #IronButterfly for 17.15, IV 19.4%
Small accounts: Sold 4945/4975-4980/5010 condors for 15.25
Upside Warning canceled
#VIXindicator The $VIX has spiked 25% over the 2-day closing low of 12.93. If we close above 16.16 this will trigger a Downside Warning.
CPI for January
Inflation up 0.4% MoM in January, vs expected 0.3%
That’s up 3.1% YoY, vs expected 2.9%.
So worse than expected, meaning negative market reaction is possible. Futures down 40 points at lows so far.
SPX 0-dte 2/13/24
#SPX0dte Wiaitng until afetr CPI report, probably until the open.
I checked ATM prices before the report and they are over 21.00 for the Iron Butterfly, so about the same as it was at last night’s close, so no benefit to placing the trade day before.
SPX 0-dte
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 12th 4995/5025/5055 #IronButterfly for 14.90, IV 15.23%
Small account alt: 4995/5025-5030/5060 condors for 12.80
Earnings 2/12 – 2/16
Economic Calendar 2/12 – 2/16
CPI report on Tuesday could be a market mover
SPX 0-dte
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 9th 4975/5005/5035 Iron Butterfly for 16.70, IV 19.3%
Small account alternative: 4970/5000-5005/5035 condor for 14.85.
Sold right after the open.
CPI revisions
Bloomberg TV talking about some CPI revisions coming in next few minutes, and given the monthly report is next week I’m going to wait until market has a chance to react before trading.
SPX 0-dte
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 8th 4960/4990/5020 IB for 16.70, IV 17.44%, 5:53am
Small account alternative: 4955/4985/4990/5020 condors for 15.10.
Out today
Small injury this morning so I’m getting stitches, so no trade today
SPX 0-dte
#SPX0dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 6th 4915/4945/4975 iron butterflys for 15.868, IV 16.62% (ask set for 15.85, but some filled for 15.90)
Small accounts: Sold to Open $SPX Feb 6th 4915/4945-4950/4980 condors for 13.80.
SPX0dte
#SPX0dte Starting a new hashtag today to represent a shift in strategy, using a same-day #IronButterfly in non-volatile periods on days where no big moves are expected. I will still likely use condors on some days.
At 5:26am, Sold to Open $SPX Feb 5th 4920/4950-4950/4980 iron butterflys for 17.25, IV 19.5%. Profit goal is at least 10% of max, so close order is in to buy back for 15.50. Stop will be manual, I will look to exit if premium reaches 20.75.
I also have a tight condor in accounts that are under or near $25K, i have a tight condor as an alternative to avoid pattern day trading violations. This is 4915/4945-4950/4980 condors for 15.40. The order to close set for 13.85.
Earnings 2/5 – 2/9
Economic Calendar 2/5 – 2/9
SPX trades 2/2
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 2nd 4835/4855-4970/4990 condors for 1.15, deltas -.06 +.06, IV 25.5%
January Jobs Report
#Jobs — Big gains obliterate expectations. Earnings also soar; December revised up bigly.
Gain of +353,000 non-farm payroll jobs, vs. expected gain of 185K
Unemployment unchanged at 3.7%
U6 unemployment 7.2%, up by 0.1
Labor force participation unchanged at 62.5%
Average hourly earnings up by 0.6%; 4.5% increase over the year
December jobs revised up by +228K to +333K
November jobs revised up by +9K to 182K
SPX trades 2/1
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Feb 1st 4785/4805-4910/4930 condors for 1.05, deltas -.05 +.06, IV 22.1%
SPX 1-dte
#SPX1dte Not trade until after the Fed announcement
I did put on paper trades for the IB and 5-pt wide IC strategies, this time with both 30-point and 40-point wings.
SPX trades 1/30
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 30th 4860/4880-4955/4975 condors for 1.35, deltas -.08 +.08 IV 17.6%
Aggressive again on deltas… JOLT jobs report at 10am ET
SPX trades 1/29
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 29th 4835/4855-4925/4945 condors for 1.20, deltas -.09 +.07 IV 16.4%
A bit aggressive on deltas for what have been quiet Mondays lately.
Earnings 1/29 – 2/2
Please note the current week’s earnings calendar always available in the menu bar at top of this page.
Economic Calendar 1/29 – 2/2
Busy week with JOLT on Tuesday, FOMC decision on Wednesday, and Jobs report on Friday.
Please note the current week’s calendar always available in the menu bar at top of this page.
SPX trades 1/26
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 26th 4825/4845-4935/4955 condors for 1.25, deltas -.08 +.05, IV 20.3%
SPX trades 1/25
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 25th 4815/4835-4920/4940 condors for 1.00, deltas -.06 +.06, IV 18.15%
SPX trades 1/24
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 24th 4825/4845-4925/4945 condors for .85, deltas -.07 +.05, IV 15.6%
SPX trades 1/23
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 23rd 4800/4820-4890/4910 condors for 1.30, deltas -.09 +.07, IV 16.5%
This is fairly tight and aggressive, so needs a quiet day to slip through.
SPX trades 1/22
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 22nd 4790/4810-4895/4915 condors for 1.05, deltas -.07 +.06, IV 17.7%
Earnings 1/22 – 1/26
Economic calendar for 1/22 – 1/26
SPX all time high
#Market All time high just breached. The previous high of 4818.62 was hit on 1/4/22, so just over two years since we’ve been here.
SPX trades 1/19
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 19th 4750/4730 put spreads for .50, delta -.08, IV 20.6%
I will be able to see my long Jan 19th 4845/4865 call spreads for at least some profit today. Looking for another spike up to sell first half. I will also look to sell a higher call spread at that point.
SPX trades 1/18
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 18th 4690/4710-4790/4810 condors for 1.40, deltas -.08 +.08, IV 18.6%
SPX trades 1/17
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 17th 4680/4700-4790/4810 condors for 1.05, deltas -.06 +.06, IV 20%
SPX trades 1/16
#SPX1dte STOPPED Bought to close $SPX Jan 16th 4730/4710 put spreads for 1.70. Condors sold Friday for 1.05.
May be only second or third time I have ever gotten up two hours early because I rolled over in bed to check futures on my phone. Last January being down 27 points on SPX was not a worry, but with this year’s tighter spreads it is the stopping point. Stop was touched soon after midnight PT.
I’ll be back at normal waking hours to look for a new condor sale.
Earnings 1/15-1/19
Economic Calendar 1/15 – 1/19
SPX 1dte
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 16th 4710/4730-4840/4860 condors for 1.05, deltas -.07 +.06, IV 7.3%
SPX trades 1/12
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 12th 4710/4730-4820/4840 condors for 1.10, deltas -.06 +.07, IV 20.6%
SPX trades 1/11
#SPX1dte Right after the data release, sold to open $SPX Jan 11th 4720/4700 put spreads for .80, delta -.07, IV 24.9%.
Inflation hotter than expected, which means my long call spreads may be doomed.
SPX trades 1/10
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 10th 4700/4720-4790/4810 condors for 1.20, deltas -.08 +.07, IV 16.9%
SPX trades 1/9
#SPX1dte. Whipsaw week so far. Stopped out before the open on put side for 2.70.
SPX 1-dte
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX Jan 9th 4700/4720-4805/4825 condors for .95, deltas -.07 +.04, IV 11%
SPX trades 1/8
#SPX1dte Sold to Open $SPX 4645/4660-4740/4755 condors for .80, deltas -.06 +.05, IV 17.7%
This is 15-wide wings, not my usual 20. For some reason I got “invalid order” when I tried it with the 4640 & 4760 long options, so perhaps one of them isn’t offered. Due to the lower risk with 150wide, I increased my position size by about a third.
Economic Calendar 1/8 – 1/12
CPI Report Thursday
Bond Auctions Wednesday & Thursday
SPX trades 1/5
#SPX1dte Waited for 30 minutes after Jobs report…
Sold to Open $SPX Jan 5th 4620/4640-4735/4755 condors for 1.05, deltas -.06 +.06, IV 22.1%
December Jobs Report
#Jobs — Higher than expected.
Gain of +216,000 non-farm payroll jobs, vs. expected gain of 175K
Unemployment unchanged at 3.7%
U6 unemployment 7.1%, up by 0.1
Labor force participation at 62.5%, down by 0.3
Average hourly earnings up by 0.4%; 4.1% increase over the year
October jobs revised down by -45K to +105K
November jobs revised down by -26K to 173K
Options Bistro 