*** Actually it does sound like you can read the direction of stocks; most of the last six months have been in a bull market.Sept may slow. Think everyone agrees straddles are costly; younger drivers pay more on insurance also. Buying home owners insurance is costly; highest probability i will keep paying it reguardless of payoff. Almost all of my stock swingtrades[overnites] are NOT leveraged; interesting how many top traders will buy insurance,mabe a high deductible, BUT WILL NOT sell insurance. Market making is a full time profession & a different thread.