The up scenario
In the up scenario, the maximum gain that can be attained is the stock finishing at $10.00 or higher.
At $10.00, you would profit from the full value of the extrinsic value of the option which is $.50 and you would also have $.50 of capital appreciation from the stock for a total of [...]
Time decay, also known as theta, is defined as the rate by which an options value erodes into expiration. The value of the option over parity to the stock is called extrinsic value.
Since an option is a depreciating asset, meaning it has a limited life, the extrinsic value in the option will wither away daily [...]
The Strangle is another option strategy that features the use of options in unison with each other. The Strangle is philosophically identical to its ‘cousin’ the Straddle. However, whereas the Straddle has a single strike as its focal point, the Strangle has its focal point spread out over two strikes.
The effect of this as compared [...]
Clinging on to Fundamental Analysis and stock picking software, only keeps you stuck in trading equities. Trading this way, compounds concentration risk in one asset class and fails to adequately diversify risks across Equities, Bonds, Currencies and Commodities. Thereâs much more to stock option trading, than stock itself.I cite Benjamin F. Kingâs study, quoted repeatedly [...]
Contrast these 2 days. 29 Sep, 2008: Dow down -7.50%, Nasdaq down -10.06% and S&P 500 down -9.63%. Versus 13 Nov, 2008: Dow up +6.25%, Nasdaq up +6.11% and S&P 500 up +6.47%. Many retail option traders would have rushed to get their spreads filled on such big days, either to get short or long. [...]
The Reward of Profit and the Risk of Losses for retail option trading needs to be managed at 2 related levels of performance: Portfolio and Trade Specific.At the Portfolio level for online options trading, there are 3 types of Targets that must be set, even before you trade.Maximum Return Target: complete achievement of the âidealâ [...]
Applying a more complete definition of diversification can help retail option traders diversify their portfolio profitably, beyond equities.A buddy started online options trading from home, in the last 6 months. He was trading a mix of Verticals, Calendars and Iron Condors using highly liquid Indexes but was failing to get consistent profits. Naturally, I asked, [...]