Jimbo's Option Spread Journal

Discussion in 'Journals' started by jllm03, Aug 8, 2006.

  1. jllm03

    jllm03

    Final details of the expired SPX trades...

    BTO 10 SPX NOV 2006 1410 Call (.SXZKB) $0.25 $250.00
    ...expired worthless; debit of $264.99 with the commission...

    STO -10 SPX NOV 2006 1400 Call (.SXZKT) $1.15 ($1,150.00)
    ....expired worthless; Credit of $1135.01 after commission...

    New balance of $14,345.95.
    The month of Nov. was a loss of $1,800.
    New month options starting again....
    I am going to start searching for a good play for the month...
     
    #71     Nov 20, 2006
  2. jllm03

    jllm03

    Here we go for the December Expiration period...

    Today I entered another Bull put Credit Spread.
    NFLD.
    Currently trading at 14.80.

    BTO 25 DEC 5 puts @ .30 (debit $750)
    STO 25 DEC 10 puts @ .85 (credit $2,125)
    Total comm of $75.
    Total net credit at expiration would be $1,300 after commissions.
    Return of 11% for 16 days.

    This stock has a potential to rise higher, but it if not, my breakeven point of $10.55 is near the last major support.
    Have stop orders already set at that level.
     
    #72     Nov 29, 2006
  3. mamt8r

    mamt8r

    Jim,

    Question for you: when you say you've got stop's in place at the support of 10:55 support area. Are you mentally putting this in? Or are you setting up triggers with the brokerage to cover your options? And if so, how are you sending those option orders without know the prices? You're not sending market-orders I hope?

    Thanks
     
    #73     Nov 29, 2006
  4. jllm03

    jllm03

    Optionsxpress allow you to set a "Contengent Order".
    I have a standing order to have the 25 short puts bought back if the NFLD stock price hits my breakeven point. It may not be exactly breakeven..maybe a little above it...but it's close and I'm comfortable with it at that level.
     
    #74     Nov 30, 2006
  5. wouldn't the breakeven point change if there was a sudden drop to 12, or eleven in the next dew days?

    does OPTIONEXPRESS adjust?

    Options are still new for me.
    john
     
    #75     Nov 30, 2006
  6. jllm03

    jllm03

    The breakeven point is an arbitrary number for profit loss at expiration. The actual number should be $10.20, but I set my stop order a little higher.
    This is the point that I am comfortable up to before bailing out.
    I get that number from taking the SOLD strike, minus the net credit, minus the commissions paid.

    As long as it is above that at expiration I will be profitable.
    I have a small calculator that I use for each Credit Spread that is handy on evaluating the Spread.
     
    #76     Nov 30, 2006
  7. I have a small calculator that I use for each Credit Spread that is handy on evaluating the Spread

    I apoligize for littering your board...the calculator looks great. is the software available? i have a spread sheet
     
    #77     Nov 30, 2006
  8. jllm03

    jllm03

    Well another expiration date..another nice premium in my pocket.
    NFLD made it thru the expiration period without any announcement about it's study that was to be released this month.... (hmmm.. I wonder what they are waiting for?)
    Closed @ 14.79. That is well above my Bull Put Credit Spread. (10p/5p).
    Account balance before trade..$14,345.95.
    Options credit...$1,300. That is 11% ROI for the month.
    New balance...$15,645.95

    I will still be looking at NFLD for the Jan expirations cycle..but a little cautious...because of the pending release.
    I might be up for sell some naked 5 puts, or a 7.5/2.5 bull put spread.
     
    #78     Dec 15, 2006
  9. jllm03

    jllm03

    NFLDs new release was out...but very questionable data.
    Either way the stock got whacked to the levels I was looking for.
    I entered another Bull Put Credit spread on the wounded stock.
    This may just be a short term play, but I will take what it gives me..Looking for a rebound in the $6-$8 range.

    BTO 50 Jan 2.5 puts @ .05 ($250 debit)
    STO 50 Jan 5 puts @ .60 ($3,000 credit)
    Total commisions were $150.00

    This should give me a breakeven point of $4.45 at expiration.
     
    #79     Dec 20, 2006
  10. jllm03

    jllm03

    Update...
    I bailed out of this on Thursday before I had to leave town.
    BTC @ .85...approx.$1400 loss after the commissions. I still have my long "2.5 puts" that I have an order to close on... I actually just gave back the gains that I made previously on the Dec options.
    I'm not going to wait on this to bounce anymore...looks pretty much like a dead duck now.

    Account update...$15,645.95 to start.
    BTC 50 Jan 5 puts @ .85 (debit $1250 plus $75 comm)
    STC 50 2.5 Jan Puts @.05 still order still open.

    Currently sitting at $14,170. cash right now.

    Going to sit out until after the New Year holiday and wait for the traders to ALL be back.

    Next targets I am eyeballing are SEPR, and NVDA.
    Both are at new 52 week highs and there will be a pull back soon.
    Normally GOOG, but I just don't like the level it is currently trading. Need to see a new high tested or a confirmed bounce off the 460 area support. (which its starting to look like today)
     
    #80     Dec 27, 2006