December
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
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Dec 9 | RUT | Vertical | 1420/1430 | Call | Dec 16, 2016 | 1.45 | 0 | 16.96% | expired for profit |
The Fed finally raised rates, after holding steady for a year. In addition to the hike, they announced that they plan to increase rates 3 times in 2017. This is all dependent on our economy so it is very possible that no hikes occur as well. Another key event this cycle was the election of Donald Trump. Ever since his victory, the markets have gone higher and higher, setting record highs nearly every other day. The Santa Claus rally looks like it has a lot of steam and any downturn may not occur until January.
November
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
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Nov 3 | RUT | IronCondor | 1095/1100/1310/1315 | Both | Nov 18, 2016 | 0.95 | 1.28 | -7.67% | Call expired in the money for 0.33 net debit. |
The 2016 election campaign is finally over and Donald J. Trump was the victor. Most doubted him from the very beginning but he proved them all wrong. His policies call for less regulations which is a good sign for Wall Street. We may see record highs going forward.
October
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
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Oct 13 | RUT | Vertical | 1190/1195 | Put | Oct 21, 2016 | 0.89 | 0 | 21.65% | expired for profit |
Rates remained unchanged this cycle and the jobs report fell in-line with expectations. Overall, things were 'business as usual' for the markets. The election, on the other hand, has been everything but 'usual'. We will know the next President before the end of the November cycle which could impact the markets. Whatever impact it has, we have the experience to safely weather through the storm, as we have in the past.
September
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2 | RUT | Vertical | 1200/1205 | Put | Sep 16, 2016 | 0.50 | 0 | 11.11% | expired for profit |
Fear mounted for a rate hike this cycle as one of the Fed members made hawkish statements on that possibility. As Wall Street digested the information, fears were eased as analysts put a 25% probability that a hike would occur after the September meeting. As expected, the Fed kept rates unchanged but the chance of a rate hike in December is very high.
August
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
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Jul 28 | RUT | Vertical | 1265/1270 | Call | Aug 19, 2016 | 0.35 | 0 | 7.53% | expired for profit |
The Fed decided to keep rates unchanged which sparked the markets to new highs. The Fed is feeling pressure to increase rates but only if economic conditions allow it. Many are anticipating a hike in the December meeting now.
July
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Trades Opened This Month |
Brexit, or the British Exit from the European Union, took the world by surprise. Markets plummeted but quickly recovered after traders digested the news. The US hit record highs and should sustain them for quite some time. Interest rates have remained unchanged but expectations of a hike are gaining strength.
June
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun 10 | RUT | Vertical | 1185/1190 | Call | Jun 17, 2016 | 0.75 | 0 | 17.65% | expired for profit |
Another FOMC meeting this cycle and another decision to keep rates unchanged. As signs of our strong economy are pointing to more of a slowing, the Fed and its speaker, Janet Yellen, decided that it would be best to not hike rates for the time being. She also mentioned that only one rate hike will probably occur for 2015. We'll see if the next few months change this outlook.
May
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 5 | RUT | Condor | 1055/1060 | Put | May 20, 2016 | 0.50 | 0 | 18.89% | expired for profit |
A rough month for the markets. We saw a nasty selloff occur in the likes we hadn't seen since 2014. Despite the choppy waters, we were patient for the right entry opportunity and seized it as soon as it presented itself. While others may have been hit pretty badly this cycle, we posted a pretty solid gain.
April
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 4 | RUT | Condor | 1145/1150 | Call | Apr 15, 2016 | 0.40 | 0 | 20.87% | expired for profit |
No rate hikes yet this year but analysts are expecting one in June. Our economy has been on the mend and the unemployment rate has dropped to 5%. Many feel that it may be a bit early to hike rates, hence the pause in March. Fed speaker Yellen has made is pretty clear that she does intend to continue the rate hikes.
March
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 11 | RUT | Vertical | 1105/1110 | Call | Mar 18, 2016 | 0.65 | 0 | 14.94% | expired for profit |
The markets have continued to tumble this cycle and global economic fears are seeping into the minds of investors. Oil is trading near $30/barrel, China is showing signs of slowing down, and the US is on course to increase interest rates.
February
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 10 | RUT | Vertical | 930/935 | Put | Feb 19, 2016 | 0.80 | 0 | 19.05% | expired for profit |
The major indices hit correction territory during this cycle but eventually rebounded. Fears of a global recession took the spotlight for a brief minute, which caused the selloff. Oil also hit record lows as it traded below $30 a barrel for quite some time. The markets seemed to follow oil's decline but may be breaking that link.
January
Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. | UnderlyingUnderlying security | Trade TypeTrading strategy | StrikesStrike prices | Option TypeCall or Put | ExpirationExpiration date | CreditAmount we would open trade. | DebitAmount we would close trade. | ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. | Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Trades Opened This Month |
Panic, panic, panic... fears set in as we rang in the New Year. China, oil, recession, you name it. Traders were afraid of everything. With all the uncertainty and panic, we stayed out of the way and plan to get back in when things settle down.