Agree with your comment on the american style. A negative on SPY relative to SPX is as you say there are no .5s (i.e. 135.5, etc.), but I generally trade 10 pointers on the SPX so it's not really a big issue. Also, what I really care about is the net credit I receive. Sure the commission is 10 times, but the net credit could be the same or better with the SPY than the SPX. Paying more in commissions to ToS, may get me a better rate than what I currently have and may qualify me for added benefits. Of course, this is just a side consideration and not the main reason I would trade SPY instead of SPX. But if the credit is better on SPY, why not.
Nice summary. Perusing the XSP options, there seems to only be 5 point spreads so 135/140, etc. This equates to 50 points on the SPX.
Thanks. As you mentioned, if doing small ROM (FOTM credit spreads for example), commissions can be a very large factor: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=939138#post939138 Essentially, your broker could end up making more money than you without any of the risk.
Yes, while the SPY could possibly provide equal or better credit getting in, if I have to close the position, then the commissions will cause a big reduction relative to a similar SPX position. Roundtrip commissions (if required) would be a major problem.
Well, I guess the SPX MMs must have been following my posts on SPY vs. SPX. They just filled me at the midpoint. June SPX 1355/1370 bull call filled at midpoint of $0.70.
When comparing the SPY to the SPX, don't forget that there is a dividend built into the price of the SPY's. It's not exactly 1/10th the value of the SPX. Mo, I don't think that you get 60/40 tax treatment trading options on the SPX cash index. I could be wrong, but I think it's only for options on the futs. Cheers!
Having done both, I prefer the SPY's. Commish somewhat higher but getting in and out is easier and credit on the one-pointers for the same $ at risk has been higher.
Thanks, Arb. Tax is a murky world indeed! Much conflicting information around. This article suggests that both SPY and SPX get 60/40: http://www.tradersaccounting.com/a_quest14.asp Resident tax experts feel free to disabuse.
SPX options are cash settled and therefore DO get 60/40 treatment. SPY don't get the beneficial treatment though. That is another consideration for trading them. I used to prefer them because I could usually get much better fills, but after comparing all the differences (including tax treatment) I've started leaning heavily toward SPX. I agree with OC in that SPY/XSP make failry good hedges if used properly.