Vertical Spreads for Aggressive Growth

Discussion in 'Journals' started by Cache Landing, Jan 27, 2006.

  1. I take no ownership in the last trade:) actually to each his own. There are advantages to wide verticals...namely flexibility, you can close, roll (for extra credit) or just narrow a wide vertical. The 5 pt vertical is either a winner or loser...not much in the way of adjustment other than roll. In this other group I peek into now and then they are very hot on 50 pt wide vertical's. For myself I like 25 pt not too far OTM ( at least with lower vols)....and whats up with the imperial WE?
     
    #961     Sep 10, 2006
  2. Donna, sure, its a free world. I am also quite sure those groups you peek into have been doing very "hot" as you said given the current market environment. I was merely commenting on the fact that there is no inherent positive expectancy in any potential adjustments. Hence, trading off risk for a better adjustment potential could be unwarranted to say the least. In fact, given the reasoning behind the original bet i could argue the opposite but i have no intention to polute cache's thread with my useless banter. :D
     
    #962     Sep 10, 2006
  3. For what it's worth, I think there is one very viable reason for utilizing wider spreads.

    Liquidity...

    Unfortunately it becomes more difficult to trade 5-point verticals when you are well capitalized. SPX just doesn't have enough volume yet. Sure you lose potential profit by taking the wider spread, but a well capitalized account might not have any choice.:)
     
    #963     Sep 10, 2006
  4. ryan,

    OIH breaking down hard. Did you ever offset your vertical?

    [​IMG]
     
    #964     Sep 11, 2006
  5. ryank

    ryank

    Coulda, shoulda, woulda...:(
     
    #965     Sep 11, 2006
  6. I took my lumps this AM...closed my 140/130 put credit spread at a debt of 8.55 :mad: had I had any courage I would have closed the short and let the 130 ride a bit...oh well win some lose some :)
     
    #966     Sep 11, 2006
  7. ryan, sorry to hear about your bad luck. Just wondering what was left in the spread when the OIH was 140+ last week.
     
    #967     Sep 11, 2006
  8. Today's Action

    BTC 5 SPX SEP 1325/1330 c @ 0.05

    Year to Date P/L

    Account Value: $15,739.50

    YTD Gross P/L: 6,395.00

    YTD Commiss: 655.50

    YTD Net P/L: 5,739.50

    YTD % P/L: 57.4%
     
    #968     Sep 11, 2006
  9. ryank

    ryank

    I think I tried closing it for about .20 but couldn't get a fill as I was aggressive on my order. The spread is coming back a bit now, mid at 2.00 and OIH is just below my breakeven at expiration.
     
    #969     Sep 11, 2006
  10. Crucis

    Crucis

    Cache, didn't you start your account with about $10K? Was that Jan 01? Just curious.

    Cru
     
    #970     Sep 11, 2006