iceman's options trading journal

Discussion in 'Journals' started by iceman1, Nov 6, 2005.

  1. bjdhawk

    bjdhawk


    entered URBN strangle with bearish lean but seems to want to go the otherway. on problem with me, just want some action :D

    mar25p @ .60
    mar30c @ .35

    also have a PAYX position i am looking to unwind.
    mar35p @ .20
    mar3750c @ 1
     
    #401     Feb 23, 2006
  2. hajimow

    hajimow

    To everyone:

    I just have a gut feeling that we might see a big drop in GOOG in the next week. I just guess buying PUT 340 might not be a bad idea and selling it in the drop. Don't keep it till expiry. Maybe my gut is not functioning properly:confused:
     
    #402     Feb 24, 2006
  3. bjdhawk

    bjdhawk

    absolutely, positively no love for INTC.....


    Intel Hit With Downgrade

    By TSC Staff
    2/24/2006 8:13 AM EST


    Intel (INTC:Nasdaq - news - research - Cramer's Take) was slapped with a downgrade Friday by Friedman Billings Ramsey, which also slashed its price target on the chip giant.

    FBR cut its rating on Intel to market perform from outperform and lowered its price target on the company's shares to $23 from $31.

    The firm said it believes the order cancellations that started at the end of the fourth quarter have continued into the first quarter and that pricing pressure in the chip market probably won't end anytime soon.

    Shares of Intel were edging down 8 cents to $20.21 in premarket trading.
     
    #403     Feb 24, 2006
  4. It's like a lynch mob !

    Well-- do we suppose they are ALL right.

    What are the odds now -- that this is a contrary indicator?!
     
    #404     Feb 24, 2006
  5. novel20

    novel20

    hajimow, how many contracts would you buy for the GOOG 340 puts?
     
    #405     Feb 24, 2006
  6. bjdhawk

    bjdhawk


    got some action on PAYX, which i wanted to scratch out of so i'll take the $$ and run....

    sold PAYX 3 mar3750c @ 1.95
    holding my 10 PAYX mar35p...worthless!


    overall trade PnL +85....maybe we'll squeeze a little more out of this, but unlikely!
     
    #406     Feb 27, 2006
  7. good one -- how high did the 3750c trade ?
     
    #407     Feb 27, 2006
  8. bjdhawk

    bjdhawk


    yeah, i've got that pre-mature ejection issue....bids hit 2.45 on the 3750c with HOD at 2.5

    left +165 on the table
     
    #408     Feb 27, 2006
  9. that is the toughest part for everyone - I don't care who you are, or how long you have been trading, i.e. exits!

    Look at what I did on DNA and MNX last two days - I nail entires all the time, and even when often early it works out. I have always had that ability.

    But perfecting exit strategy is a lifelong quest like a surfer seeking the perfect wave.

    In fact we all know that exit strategy mostly defines great trading, not entries.

    need to remember:

    1. scaling in/out

    2. can immediately get back in (or look for PB to re-enter) and/or we can get into the underlying and/or we can roll into a different strike or month.

    Most times I have done the aforesaid it has worked out well. In fact I think the hallmark of a really accomplished consistent trader is the ability to exit and then quickly note he was early/premature, and then get back in on the directional move/trend.

    It is a goal of mine for the next 24 months to improve that aspect so that IF when we ring the register on a position coming off a great entry we don't merely exit and sit back counting chips as if that point of demarcation is/was some irreversible act that denotes the end of profit opportunity in said position. Rather we stay focused.

    Obviously this requires the ability to ID a healthy trend within the time frame(s) you are trading.

    In my case being a discretionary/intuitive/psychological (and often contrarian) trader -- as well as using KISS T/A - I have to rely on my gut feel. When I don't I miss out- when I do I make more. Its that simple with my style. For another trader (hawk) it may work differently.
     
    #409     Feb 27, 2006
  10. bjdhawk

    bjdhawk


    completely agree Ice. And to add to your point, my focus is on improving my exits on both sides of the fence, i.e. winners and the unavoidable losers! The psychology/thought process around this space is kind of ironic:

    holding the losers too long while dumping the winners too quickly??

    to improve closing positions under my trading style, scaling out of positions is my primary focus. My strength is not re-entering trades based on ST/intraday directional moves, atleast at this point in time. experience will hopefully allow for improved understanding of this approach.
     
    #410     Feb 27, 2006