#SPXcampaign Bought to close $SPX Nov 4th 2185/2210 call spreads for .20. Sold for 2.25 on Oct 19th. I’ve been trying to sell a call spread, but instead one closed.
Author Archives: Jeff
Market dumps… damn, AAPL trade was coming in!
FBI is probing a new batch of Clinton emails.
NFLX call
AMZN earning trade closed
#Earnings Bought to close $AMZN Oct 28th 750 puts for .08. Sold yesterday for 1.825 (avg price). Letting a 935 call expire. When I can close for only .08, I have no reason to risk an afternoon dump.
CMG roll
#Earnings Rolled my other $CMG 370 put to Nov 18th 360 put for a .70 credit. So now I’m short 355 & 360 put for Nov 18th. Will look to sell calls on the next rally, or roll if we go lower.
V trade closed
#Earnings BTC $V Oct 28th 83 puts for .15. IB sold for 1.55 on Monday, out today for .31.
This one winner will leave me profitable for the week on earnings trades, even if all other IB’s were max losers (which they won’t be).
BIDU $ AAPL earnings iron butterflys
#Earnings $BIDU currently profitable. If it starts running up, profit will disappear. Watching with another manual trailing stop.
$AAPL also slightly profitable but will be better if we can rally today. Watching all of these
V earnings iron butterfly
#Earnings Keeping an eye on $V for an exit on the short puts. Right now getting out for .40 is possible, and if it starts dropping I will want to get out; kind of a manual trailing stop. I may also exit the short calls for cheap in case it really runs today.
SPX puts sold
#SPXcampaign Fourteen minutes after the close, Sold to Open $SPX Nov 25th 1980/1955 put spreads for 1.40.
AMZN trade
#Earnings Added one more 750 put for 1.75 right before the close… didn’t bother with another call since premium had dropped so much. Quite a deep dip but looking like 750 will hold.
GOOGL earnings
#Earnings I have skipped this one last few quarters as its options chain doesn’t provide the opportunities that AMZN or NFLX do. Even PCLN is easier. Any ideas?
July 28, 2016 AC 3.32%
April 21, 2016 AC -5.41%
Feb. 1, 2016 AC 1.31%
Oct. 22, 2015 AC 5.60%
July 16, 2015 AC 16.25%
April 23, 2015 AC 2.90%
Jan. 29, 2015 AC 4.73%
Oct. 16, 2014 AC -2.59%
July 17, 2014 AC 4.18%
April 16, 2014 AC -3.64%
Jan. 30, 2014 AC 4.01%
Oct. 17, 2013 AC 13.79%
Average: +/- 5.6%
AMZN earnings trade
#Earnings Sold to Open $AMZN Oct 28th 750/930 strangle for 2.66. Had an order in two sell two at 2.65, but only one filled for 2.66.
BIDU earnings trade
#Earnings Sold to Open $BIDU Oct 28th 165/175/185 iron butterfly for 7.40. Max risk: 2.60. Breakevens at the close Friday: about 167.50 and 182.50; about 4% either way. Profit anywhere between.
BIDU earnings
#Earnings Not as good with OTM premium. may try a 10-point wide IB. Any other thoughts?
July 28, 2016 AC -3.64%
April 28, 2016 AC 4.45%
Feb. 25, 2016 AC 9.84%
Oct. 29, 2015 AC 10.93%
July 27, 2015 AC -14.99%
April 29, 2015 AC -8.54%
Feb. 11, 2015 AC -4.49%
Oct. 29, 2014 AC 5.54%
July 24, 2014 AC 10.88%
April 24, 2014 AC 1.98%
Feb. 26, 2014 AC 3.48%
Oct. 29, 2013 AC 3.46%
AMZN earnings
#Earnings Looking at 750/930 strangle. Wit stock at 822.00, these strikes are 8.8% and 13.1% OTM respectively. Over last three years: Biggest UP move: 14.1%, Biggest DOWN move: -11.0%, Average move: 9.2%.
July 28, 2016 AC 0.82%
April 28, 2016 AC 9.56%
Jan. 28, 2016 AC -7.60%
Oct. 22, 2015 AC 6.22%
July 23, 2015 AC 9.79%
April 23, 2015 AC 14.13%
Jan. 29, 2015 AC 13.71%
Oct. 23, 2014 AC -8.34%
July 24, 2014 AC -9.64%
April 24, 2014 AC -9.88%
Jan. 30, 2014 AC -10.99%
Oct. 24, 2013 AC 9.38%
Thoughts?
CMG roll
#Earnings Yesterday I rolled one of my CMG Oct 28th 370 puts to Nov 18th 355 put, with a 1.00 debit. I plan to sell a Nov call to make up that 1.00. Waiting to see the action today before acting on the other put.
AAPL iron butterfly
#Earnings BTC $AAPL Oct 28th 118 calls for .09. Clearing my upside risk for this stock to rise into Friday. Full 112/118/124 IB sold yesterday for 4.14.
DUST calls
#ContantoETFs STO DUST Nov 4th 50 calls for .75
SPX calls sold
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open $SPX Nov 25th 2215/2240 call spreads for 1.30, with SPX at 2140.
FB puts
#Earnings Starting to ell some puts against my short stock into earnings:
STO $FB Nov 4th 124 put for 1.30
STO $FB Nov 4th 126 put for 1.85
Earnings results
#Earnings Looking pretty good so far for neutral plays on CMG and AAPL!
SPX puts sold
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open $SPX Nov 4th 2090/2065 put spreads for 1.90, with SPX at 2142. This is a bonus spread expiring next Friday.
CMG & AAPL earnings
#Earnings Following @Ramie, STO $CMG Oct 28th 370 put for 2.35. Will sell another, but want to see if premium might rise more.
Following @optionshane, STO $AAPL Oct 28th 112/118/124 iron butterflys for 4.13.
SPX puts sold
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open $SPX Nov 25th 2025/2000 put spreads for 1.55, with SPX at 2150.
VIX Indicator updated, no SPX…
VIX Indicator and SPX chart are updated
VIX has crept down five days straight, but without any huge single-day drops. Downside warning not yet canceled… would need a close below 12.50.
Looks like Visa trade might work if it can remain quiet.
AVGO stock sold
#Earnings I was assigned some shares from an earnings trade in early September. With all options premium factored in, my cost basis is 174.76.
Sold half my stock today for 176.33. Holding the other half with a short 177.5 call expiring this Friday.
NFLX trades
#Earnings #Rolling We hit 129 so I’m rolling my short calls that expire Friday. I covered them as NFLX fell back down. And I sold more puts:
BTC NFLX Oct 28th 129 calls, 2.35 avg price. Sold last week for .79 avg price.
#ReverseRoll to:
STO NFLX Oct 28th 123 put for 1.00
STO NFLX Dec 16th 110 put for 1.50
STO NFLX March 17th 95 put for 2.55
(Jan 20th 105.71 put sold earlier for 2.82)
DUST calls
#ContangoETFs Sold to Open DUST Nov 18th 55 call for 1.70. Orders in for a couple others.
V earnings
#Earnings Visa seems a better candidate than AAPL for the neutral play. It has not moved much recently, but did have some bigger moves a couple years ago. I’ll play for another small move.
STO $V Oct 28th 81/83/85 iron butterfly for 1.55. Max loss .45.
Here are the 5-DAY moves over last three years:
Thu 07/21/2016 AC -0.10%
Thu 04/21/2016 AC -4.60%
Thu 01/28/2016 BO -3.63%
Mon 11/02/2015 BO 0.94%
Thu 07/23/2015 AC 4.50%
Thu 04/30/2015 AC 3.93%
Thu 01/29/2015 AC 7.25%
Wed 10/29/2014 AC 16.33%
Thu 07/24/2014 AC -5.40%
Thu 04/24/2014 AC -0.33%
Thu 01/30/2014 BO 2.39%
Wed 10/30/2013 AC -2.72%
AAPL earnings
#Earnings Was considering a tight condor, but APPL’s average 5-day move has been 6% over the last three years. Not sure if I want to play it, as farther OTM strikes not too rich in premium. Other thoughts?
Tue 07/26/2016 AC 7.79%
Tue 04/26/2016 AC -10.16%
Tue 01/26/2016 AC -2.65%
Tue 10/27/2015 AC 4.32%
Tue 07/21/2015 AC -4.78%
Mon 04/27/2015 AC -2.78%
Tue 01/27/2015 AC 7.34%
Mon 10/20/2014 AC 5.47%
Tue 07/22/2014 AC 3.11%
Wed 04/23/2014 AC 13.21%
Mon 01/27/2014 AC -9.06%
Mon 10/28/2013 AC -1.86%
NFLX put sold
#Earnings Sold to Open $NFLX Jan 20th 2017 105.71 put for 2.82.
Have orders in for several other puts but this is the only one that filled before the bounce.
SPX puts closed
#SPXcampaign In pre-market, bought to close $SPX Nov 4th 2010/1985 put spreads for .20. Sold for 1.45 on Oct 4th.
Econ calendar for week of 10/24/16
VIX Indicator and SPX Chart have been updated
I hope you all are having a fantabulous weekend!
Options Expiration 10/21/16
— Expiring —
AVGO 175 covered call
DUST 60 call
FB 126 covered put
ISRG 650/600 put spreads
NFLX 85 puts
NFLX 120 puts
NUGT 25 call
RGLD 82.5 and 85 covered calls
— Expiring with full loss —
TLT 140 long calls
NFLX calls sold
#Earnings #Rolling Sold all of the following as my rolls. Will look to sell puts on any weakness:
Oct 28th 130 call for 1.10
Oct 28th 129 call for 1.35
Dec 16th 130 calls for 5.05
Jan 20th 130 call for 8.30
Mar 17th 150 calls for 4.50
June 16th 175 call for 3.00
I have no ITM positions and I will look to keep it that way.
NFLX rolling
#Earnings Although it would ave been best to close the Oct 21st 115 calls under $4 on Tues or Wed, at least I closed most of them this morning under $8. Closed all but one then was away from the computer when it shot to the moon. Closed the last one for 10.50. Avg price on closing all: 8.35.
Now working on the rolls.
NFLX put
#Earnings STO NFLX Oct 28th 120 put for 1.20. Working on rolling 115 calls today. Considering Dec 120/125 strangle for starters
GS earnings trade closed
#Earnings I closed the call spread for 2.30, but it is currently closable for breakeven. Get out now unless you think we could drop closer to 170 by the close.
VIX Indicator and SPX Charts…
VIX Indicator and SPX Charts have been updated
NFLX calls sold
#Earnings STO NFLX Oct 28th 130 calls for .50
Anything good for earnings tonight?…
Anything good for earnings tonight? Haven’t gotten to it yet.
SPX puts sold
#SPXcampaign On the lowest tick of the day, this order filled: Sold to Open $SPX Nov 17th 1990/1965 put spreads for 1.45, with SPX at 2133.
SPX calls closed
#SPXcampaign Before selling the spread below, this one closed 9 minutes after the open: Bought to close $SPX Nov 4th 2215/2240 call spreads for .20. Sold for 1.65 on Oct 7th.
SPX calls sold
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open $SPX Nov 17th 2215/2240 call spreads for 1.50, with SPX at 2146.
Options Expiration 10/19/16
#OptionsExpiration #SPXcampaign
Expiring today $SPX Oct 19th 2055/2080/2150/2175 iron condors, sold as a roll last Thursday for 5.25.
NFLX, more calls sold
#Earnings Working around my short Oct 21st 115 calls… I did not sell puts, as I should have yesterday and today. On today’s surge I am adding calls: STO $NFLX Oct 28th 129 calls for .52.
Will get on the ball and add puts when I can.
Earnings today
Not finding anything exciting, but interested in what anyone else is looking at.
SPX extra calls sold
#SPXcampaign My call spreads for Nov 4th were already closed for profits, but since I still have some put spreads open, I sold an extra call spread to offset:
Sold to open $SPX Nov 4th 2185/2210 call spreads for 2.25, with SPX at 2141.
SPX puts closed
#SPXcampaign Bought to close $SPX Oct 28th 202/1985 put spreads for .2o. Sold for 1.30 on Sept 29th.
ISRG earnings
#Earnings Eneded up with two 650 puts (2.15) and two long 600 puts (.25), so put spreads for 1.90.
ISRG earnings
#Earnings Sold to Open $ISRG 650 put for 2.15. Biggest UP move: 17.7% , Biggest DOWN move: -11.5% , Average move: 6.3% . This trade is 8.6% OTM. I will probably add to this, and also buy 600 puts for disaster protection. -11.5% done move was in April 2014 and the lat time ISRG moved down big.
GS trade
#Earnings For the Iron Butterfly, your max loss is small if the Stock moves up or down too much for your trade to work. With expiration on Friday, we have 4 days for price to settle back to 170 giving us max profit. Right now, the trade is closable for breakeven. It is okay to do that, but in my view isn’t the point… you accepted the small max risk and should be okay taking that loss on Friday is we don’t return to 170. IB’s are thread-the-needle type trades that require patience.
I am waiting and watching for a cheaper exit between now and Friday’s close.
SPX puts closed, calls sold
#SPXcampaign In Pre-market, bought to close $SPX Oct 28th 2000/1975 put spreads for .20. Sold for 1.35 on Sept 26th.
Sold to Open $SPX Nov 17th 2225/2250 call spreads for 1.55, with SPX at 2143.
Boom!
#Earnings After a four straight quarters of down moves, NFLX resumes its huge moves UP on earnings. At least it is easier to manage ITM 115 calls than it was ITM 700 calls.
SPX calls closed
#SPXcampaign Bought to close $SPX Oct 28th 2200/2225 call spreads for .20. Sold for 4.50 on Oct 5th.
NFLX price not moving but…
NFLX price not moving but options premiums going up.
GS earnings
#Earnings Not a big mover on earnings: Biggest UP move: 3.0%, Biggest DOWN move: -2.6%, Average move: 1.6%.
Going for neutral iron butterfly: STO $GS Oct 21st 167.5/170/172.5 IB for 2.05. Max risk = .45.
NFLX earnings
#Earnings Over last three years, over five days after earnings, Biggest UP move: 25.4%, Biggest DOWN move: -19.9%, Average move: 12.7%. Seems to be an upside bias to earnings premiums. Looking to sell the 85 put for .53, 14 points OTM, and the 115 call for .75, 16 points OTM. The farther out call is selling for more than the closer put.
These strikes are 14.1% and 16.2% OTM respectively.
STO $NFLX Oct 21st 85/115 strangles for 1.27.
SPX puts sold
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open $SPX Nov 17th 1960/1935 put spreads for 1.50, with SPX at 2127.
I am still selling put spreads, even with a Downside Warning in effect. Everything has remained fairly orderly in the SPX so I’m not spooked yet. I will take profits early or stop out if anything violent starts happening.
Econ Calendar week of 10/17/16
Options Expiration 10/14/16
Alls I gots expiring is the DUST 55 call. Have a great weekend everyone!
AZO earnings closed
#Earnings BTC $AZO Oct 21st 800 call for .20. Sold for 2.76 on 9/21. Now flat in AZO; all earnings trades closed yesterday and today.
SPX puts sold, puts closed
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open Nov 11th 1980/1955 put spreads for 1.30, with SPX at 2137.
Earlier: Bought to close $SPX Oct 20th 2050/2025 put spreads for .20. Sold for 1.30 on Sept 22nd.
SPX calls sold
#SPXcampaign Sold to Open $SPX Nov 11th 2220/2245 call spreads for 2.00, with SPX at 2144.
Looks like gold may have…
Looks like gold may have found its bottom
Is the VIXIndicator punking us?
#VIXIndicator Well, if that was a near-term bottom today, that will be three Downside Warnings in a row that occurred on the day of the market bottom… Brexit in June, last month and this month.
That is not the historical norm, but if it’s becoming a new reality I may need to look at some adjustments. The main purpose of the Downside Warnings is to avoid huge dumps like August 2015. For the bigger corrections, it has always given fair warning before the huge dive. It may just be that it is less useful on these smaller dips.
AZO naked put closed
#Earnings Bought to close $AZO Oct 21st 690 put for .20. Sold for 3.07 on 9/21. Now just waiting for the 800 call to close.
SPX next-day spread closed same day
#SPXcampaign Bought to close $SPX Oct 14th 2090/2065 put spreads for .40. Sold 2.5 hours ago for 2.10.
Overcoming fear
It’s the toughest thing about trading, and nothing has provided a bigger leap away from fear than my recent experience of managing an ITM call spread. I was short the August 2130/2155 call spread as the SPX reached all time highs of 2193. It was a big trade, too, over twice my normal size, and it sucked as the index went through my strikes (I had already rolled several call spreads, but let this one sit). But as it sat there ITM for days and then weeks, I grew more relaxed and started exploring ways to roll my way out. I figured a system, without increasing position size, and started rolling it one week before it expired. All it would take is a decent pullback or two and I’d be out. It took about 6 rolls and now I’m out with no loss, in fact retaining the profit I expected on the original trade.
Going ITM and realizing max loss seems to be a great fear for many option traders. To help overcome it, I suggest trading an ITM spread on an index. Indices do not have huge overnight gaps like stocks, and there is no possibility of early assignment, as they are cash settled at expiration, never earlier. Your risk never changes, whether you are 100 points OTM or 100 points ITM (except with Portfolio Margin, which is unpredictable).
Today, I sold a 1-lot:
Sold to Open $SPX Nov 25th 2175/2150 put spread for 14.00. I will wait until mid November to even worry about it. It will be similar to having a trade go against you, except we now have the benefit of a very fat credit upon entry, rather than the 1.30 or so for which we usually sell these spreads.
Feel free to join if you are looking to overcome some of your fear. If you do it, understand that if it remains ITM in November, we may be selling condors or extra options during the rolls. But as before, I do not plan to increase risk very much. #SPXcampaign #FearTrade #ITMrolling
Fat fingered stop
#SPXcampaign I was holding the $SPX Oct 19th 2100/2075. My stop was the September lows, so when we broke that this morning, I considered closing it. I entered a stop price of 5.40, but did not want to submit the trade until I saw how the bounce would act. Well, guess what? I mistakenly submitted it.
As many expected, the 2120 area held (so far). But it’s done, so I decided to roll into an iron condor with the same expiration and same number of contracts. No doubt risky, probably more to the upside. But I will roll either side, if either are threatened.
Stopped: Bought to close SPX Oct 19th 2100/2075 put spreads for 5.40. Sold for 2.75 last Thursday.
Rolled to: Sold to Open SPX Oct 19th 2055/2080/2150/2175 iron condors for 5.25. Paid a .15 debit on the roll, but that’s okay since I brought in a heft 2.75 on the initial sale.
SPX next-day puts sold
#SPXcampaign — risky as we are still dropping…
Sold to Open $SPX Oct 14th 2090/2065 put spreads for 2.10, with SPX at 2115.
We just broke the September…
We just broke the September lows in SPX
UVXY call
#VXXGame Followed @Ramie, STO UVXY Jan 2018 60 call for 7.10.
AZO condors closed
#Earnings Bought to close $AZO 680/690/800/810 iron condors for .20. Sold for 2.00 on Sept 21st.
I have an additional naked strangle at the same short strikes. I have orders in to close each option at .20; thought those orders would fill before the condor.
Options Bistro 