What are the best markets to sell options

Discussion in 'Options' started by lasner, Nov 24, 2007.

  1. lasner

    lasner

    What is the safest way to add income to your commodity account with options?

    Would you say it's through spreads. I looking to add a small amount of income each month through options while trading futures.

    I have a good amount of experience trading futures...but practically none with options.
     
    #11     Nov 24, 2007
  2. What on earth could bring anybody to make a ridiculous statement like that?
     
    #12     Nov 24, 2007
  3. lasner

    lasner

    You don't think the chances of the price of an option doubling is high
     
    #13     Nov 24, 2007
  4. Gustaf

    Gustaf

    You cannot say like that, come one options have strike prices, near strikes have higher chances of doubling. Options on volatile market also have higher chances of doubling.
     
    #14     Nov 24, 2007
  5. lasner

    lasner

    Would you recommend writing options with under a month of expiration or longer two- three months of expiration.
     
    #15     Nov 24, 2007
  6. Don't suppose you've been reading James Cordiers' articles or books by any chance? He's always advocating this method to beginners... Firstly forget this whole notion of generating income, as if selling naked is like some harmless way to make some dough on the side... Maybe look into incorporating options to your futures trading... understand synthetics, how to hedge etc; then see what you think...
    I personally think there's nothing wrong with selling naked, so long as you know what your outs are...
     
    #16     Nov 24, 2007
  7. lasner

    lasner

    No I've never read his book....I've looked into hedging with options but I like the idea of adding income.

    Naked seemed good...but the exit strategy is what I'm getting caught up on. I was thinking if the option doubles then exit. That seems to work O.K. for options that have 3-4 months of expiration left....seems too risky for anything closer say under a month.
     
    #17     Nov 24, 2007
  8. There are two outs. You can be out of the money, or you can be out of money.
     
    #18     Nov 24, 2007
  9. sugar

    sugar

    Hi lasner,

    which is your criterion in the options selection?
     
    #19     Nov 24, 2007
  10. lasner

    lasner

    I use elliott to trade....I will pick markets that are trading according to elliott. Like I said I'm completely new to trading options.

    I sold naked options in the past for about a month. Almost all options will expire worthless but you have to time your exit when it goes against you. Trying to exit it when the value of the option doubles just doesn't seem to fruitful

    I guess I'll try spreads....like I said I want to add income
     
    #20     Nov 24, 2007