weekly straddles are profitable and I trade them , they offer the biggest bang for your money ,lowest cost /enough reward . just buy under-priced straddles before a breakout set up or near breakout zones
Well, I got nothing to sell, sorry I'll take a beer if you are even in the NYC, but otherwise my 2 basis points are free The second question is an important and interesting one and goes beyond option trading. Some years ago, one of my junior traders made a comment that "existence of McDonalds does not make a hot-dog stand less profitable". I think as the institutional side is getting more regulated, self-policed and benchmarked, there will be very interesting opportunities for a little guy.