riskarb's trading journal

Discussion in 'Journals' started by riskarb, May 13, 2006.

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  1. Simply terminology:

    Long otm put / short otm call = risk conversion [short synth/implied long natural]
    Long otm call / short otm put = risk reversal [long synth/implied long natural]

    The terms reflect the synthetic-side of a 3-way conversion arbitrage. The split-strike adds convergence-risk, hence the "risk" term. Obviously no natural long or short is used, but the terminology stuck. It's simply a long or short split-strike synthetic.

    Most generically refer to both as "risk reversal", long or short.


    No follow-up, other than an offset. It's simply a long bet.
     
    #181     May 19, 2006
  2. Lost you on the index print part. I thought I undertood the term, but it wouldn't make sense the way I understand it.
     
    #182     May 19, 2006
  3. A bear move in the index
     
    #183     May 19, 2006
  4. That's the way I understood it, but if you're long the strangle wouldn't any move be ok? Or are you referring to the idea that a bear move usually results in a rise in vols, while the bull move has the opposite effect?
     
    #184     May 19, 2006
  5. You mean straddle here not wings right?
     
    #185     May 19, 2006
  6. That's what I assumed.
     
    #186     May 19, 2006
  7. It's possible to complete the reversal by going short underlying here once you have gained on the synthetic to lock it in - is this not worth it? Or does the convergence risk overwhelm the lock. Obviously it's not a true lock due to the split-strike synthetic.

    Your trade could become a big winner through the combination of skew flattening and long deltas if we rally.

    How does this work the other way around? e.g. short split-strike synthetic as per earlier trade. It seems you're purely relying on deltas there.

    MoMoney.
     
    #187     May 19, 2006
  8. No, long wings of a time fly if buying the vol to open the position -- selling the body at a later date. I normally sell the body as the initial trans.
     
    #188     May 19, 2006
  9. It's not a reversal at that point, it's a collar. The split strike negates any possibility of arbitrage.

    Yes, I prefer to buy the synthetic in index due to the +theta at neutrality. Normally I would do 2x the size in the long synth // short synth, assuming = confidence seen in the signal.
     
    #189     May 19, 2006
  10. Sold the long reversal at $3.80 debit, gain of $5.50 on 50.


    Gain of $27,425
    Prior booked PnL $20,850
    Blotter PnL from inception of journal: $48,275, 4.8%


    [journal blotter 3]
     
    #190     May 19, 2006
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