Naked option sellers: When do you profit take?

Discussion in 'Options' started by a529612, Sep 4, 2007.

  1. Johno

    Johno

    Sashe


    Registered: Aug 2002
    Posts: 358


    09-05-07 06:22 PM

    just hedge your deltas and gammas and you'll be fine

    Right up until the market does something major against your position in a short time, thats when you find out that you're definitely not fine!

    Best Regards

    Johno
     
    #11     Sep 5, 2007
  2. a529612

    The rationale is that the delta is a measure of risk, whereas the value of an option is not.

    If the risk is low (Delta <0.30) I'd let them run, if the delta is high (>0.80) I'd do something about it (either close out or leg / roll). In other words, let winners run and close losers. Hope that helps.
     
    #12     Sep 5, 2007
  3. @ a529612
    let the options expire! the options are fair priced and the expectancy is still the same: high probability that option is worthless to very low credit -- lower probability that option will be worthless to bigger credit.

    Insted of closing the short option I whould open a OTM backspread (for a credit or +/-0) some days bevore expiration to be prepared against a black swan or a surprising move in the underlying.
     
    #13     Sep 5, 2007
  4. Sashe

    Sashe

    Use %allocation of your risk capital, mine is 2% per position for example, diversify across markets, use statistical approach to minimize the black swan exposure
     
    #14     Sep 5, 2007
  5. Johno

    Johno

    Hi Sashe,

    Use %allocation of your risk capital, mine is 2% per position for example, diversify across markets, use statistical approach to minimize the black swan exposure

    Would you care to share your thoughts a bit further on what this statistical approach might look like.

    Best Regards

    Johno
     
    #15     Sep 5, 2007
  6. Sashe

    Sashe

    What I was trying to say that do not sell naked on stocks with upcoming earnings, or major announcments. Look at all previous black swans (i.e. huge moves against you as the naked seller) and study the patterns that preceded that. Overall, I mean that selling naked (or even iron condors) requires lots of work. It is never sell and collect.
     
    #16     Sep 5, 2007
  7. How do you do that when the naked short has unlimited risk in theory? When the black swan hits, it's going to be more than 2% easy.
     
    #17     Sep 5, 2007
  8. Johno

    Johno

    Hi a529612,

    My comment was actually -

    Right up until the market does something major against your position in a short time, thats when you find out that you're definitely not fine!


    In reply to - just hedge your deltas and gammas and you'll be fine

    Thru past experience I can tell you all about how Black Swan events can impact on Naked Options sellers accounts, where Delta Neutral/Dynamic Hedging strategys are employed.

    Best Regards

    Johno
     
    #18     Sep 5, 2007
  9. Prevail

    Prevail Guest

    you could employ back month backspreads and maintain a long vega stance.
     
    #19     Sep 5, 2007
  10. wynotb1

    wynotb1

    I usually exit for profit @70% and will take a loss if the option doubles and re-enter the option further out of the money.
     
    #20     Sep 5, 2007