Everyone wants success. But how many have seen real success? I want to know what success is. Show me. What does the historical PnL table of a successful option trader look like? What does the equity curve of a successful consistent option trader look like?
Here's a graph of my closed PnL over about 13 months (since I started trading this particular strategy). In this account I sell vertical spreads on stocks I like. They are $5 or $10 wide spreads centered ATM, 45 or 60 DTE. Unrealized $ (22,795) Realized $ 101,610 Avg Return 8.13% Avg Days in Trade 24.45 Current margin $ 75,822 Positions Open 14 Total Trades 226 Pct Wins 78.76% Pct Losers 21.24% Avg Win 22.61% Avg Loss -45.55% Avg Return 8.13% I'm probably not what you're looking for though. I'm just using option delta to leverage stock picks. I think that when most people talk about successful options trades, they're thinking about non-directional stuff, like these guys that buy straddles into earnings or the guys selling volatility premium or the like. Not my game, but I know plenty of guys that succeed there.
Thanks for the answers. I am inspired. Darcymac you have an amazing record. I wish I could produce the same. Sweet Bobby. What happened to you?
Success is only defined by the trader himself, I would think. Obviously, consistently making profit is the minimum definition. However, I consider that fact I can trade single options and make double my daily wage in less than an hour a HUGE success. That is something that can change people’s lives dramatically. It’s no mansion and super car, but it’s more time with my wife and kids. I used to just tell myself if I could trade and make my wage working my second job at McDonald’s I’m F-ing killing it.