Purely Mechanical Option Trading

Discussion in 'Options' started by jeffalvinson, Apr 12, 2008.

  1. I don't follow traditional TA, so I'll defer to you on the slope and direction of the detrended moving averages. All signals have run counter to the price action on the options. I would define long-gamma trend trading in options as buying on or near the options highs, not lows. Your trades are short in duration. Anyone can make an argument as to the prevailing trend. I suppose we've been in an uptrend since October of 1987.

    Looks good so far.
     
    #151     May 6, 2008
  2. Trade completed, updated results attached to reflect new trade.
     
    #152     May 6, 2008

  3. Your welcome, I am happy to be helpful.
    The 4 most important things that I can say to a beginning option trader is to be Systematic:
    1: Find something that works 65% to 75% of the time and do it over and over, regardless how dark and opposing the market looks when your entering the trades.
    2: Know your exact entry price, profit goal and stop before entering a trade.
    3: Never have a stop that loses more than your profit goal.
    4: Never invest more than 10% of your option trading account into each trade.
     
    #153     May 6, 2008
  4. Well done Jeff. It would be rude if I didnt give credit where credit is due considering I am a skeptic.
     
    #154     May 6, 2008


  5. Thanks dipper. I appreciate both your compliment and your skepticism.
     
    #155     May 6, 2008
  6. X2GO

    X2GO

    Thanks again Jeff. As I am new to this and do not have the expertise for picking profitable options yet can you recommend a paid options picking service / news letter than can issue me profitable daily / timely recommendations until I can learn to do this on my own. I don't mind paying for guidance until I can learn to fly!

    Thanks,
    SR
     
    #156     May 6, 2008
  7. jeff i'm short the s&p 1350 straddles. tell your system to generate a put buy signal and no more call buys until expiration!
     
    #157     May 6, 2008
  8. JKG

    JKG

    I have to say this is the first time I saw people who make money by trading options this way. Good work Jeff...
     
    #158     May 6, 2008
  9. neke

    neke

    Given your historical results, don't you think this is VERY conservative, given you are in only one position (mostly) at a time, and you have a 25% stop loss. Of course past performance is no guarantee of future results, but given such a record, I would be upping my outlay to say 30% per trade. Yes, a drawdown may happen, but in the end, confident the edge remains, the money should grow at a more accelerated pace.
     
    #159     May 6, 2008
  10. Div_Arb

    Div_Arb

    Jeff - Great system and interesting thread. Do not pay attention to all the player haters around here - you have made the market your own, and you should be commended for it.

    Quick question, why don't you increase the size beyond 10 contracts (or $2500 equivalent)? Why don't you kick it up a notch and trade like 100 contracts? Seems like you would step on the gas a little with the win/loss ratio being so high...
     
    #160     May 6, 2008