That's the point. I am NOT interested in playing deltas. But sometimes, these diagonals turn into short-term delta plays, even though that was not my intention. Appreciate your detailed response. Mark
Murry, SPX is at 1327 and vega is at ~-67. I'm just learning about vega. I would assume that would be high?
I don't keep records of which spreads were put on on which day, but today, I had just a tiny bit of free margin so I opened a one lot spread on the rally: Bot MID Dec 830 call; Sld Nov 800. Credit 95 cents. I have this same spread from some time ago when I received a credit of $1.60. One other sample position in my portfolio is the NDX Dec 1400 put vs. Nov 1475 put for a credit of $1.20. Opened about one week ago. I do NOT take legs. I enter the spread via IB's system. Mark
Coach, I have trouble to understand your calculation. The following is my calculation, and do not know why the result is different. step 1: 270*4.70=12690 step 2: 135*5.25 + 135*2.55=10530 step 3: Net debt=12690-10530=2160 So the adjustment is a net debt, not net credit. mdshiao ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FINAL ADJUSTMENT Converted diagonal to a short OCT ES Butterfly for a net credit: Step 1. Bought back 270 SEP EW 1340 Calls @ 4.70 Step 2. Sold 135 OCT ES 1355 Calls @ 5.25 Sold 135 OCT ES 1365 Calls @ 2.55 Credit = 7.80 Step 3. Net Credit from Adjustment = 3.10 or $41,850 Step 4. Adding original net credit of $10,275, TOTAL NET CREDIT =$52,125 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No need to keep a log or link back. My humble opinion is that most folks only hear things when they are ready and that's largely only when it's directly applicable to their current situation. That will be different times for different people. Be prepared to re-type everything again multiple times! After all, that's why this thread is so long For anyone interested, Cottle's book covers a great deal on the topic of options metamorphosis. There is also a lot of coverage of synthetics and position dissection therein. IMO, these are key concepts to understand for facilitating metamorphosis. The idea is to be able to leverage existing inventory to build desired positions which are thus attained at better than "fair value". This is what some would refer to as positive expectancy. This isn't a free lunch of course. One has to assume time, direction or volatility risk initially to build the inventory. Riskarb's combo to fly conversion journal was a classic example of attempting to get into positive expectancy flies by first assuming some risk on a short straddle. FWIW, I also briefly noted some directional-only (time, volatility risk ignored) routes to positive expectancy flies which perhaps illustrates the concept in one dimension: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1126635#post1126635 The options are endless. Imagination is the only limitation 2 cents. MoMoney.
The ToS platform is not suitable for day trading futures IMO though it depends how heavy your trading will be. With Interactive Brokers you have the choice of multiple third-party front-ends which are designed and built for day trading and scalping etc. They aren't X Trader but there are some good alternatives e.g. www.buttontrader.com www.zerolinetrader.com Depending on your methodology, you could just use IB's TWS but Book Trader is a disaster waiting to happen IMO LOL. Things may have changed since I last looked at it though so see for yourself. Good luck. MoMoney.
FWIW, if I'm anywhere near the sweet spot of a calendar in the last week, I take it. Bird in the hand mentality I suppose and/or past experiences. The PnL can drop off quite quickly waiting for the last few days of theta. Similar with flies.
Your calculation is correct. Phil is computing a net credit of 7.80 but using 270 as the multiplier, when he should use 135. The credit on 270 is not the sum of 5.25 and 2.55, but the average which is 3.90, giving a net credit of -4.70 + 3.90 = -.80