December
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Dec 12, 2014 |
DIA |
168/170 |
Put |
0.18 |
0.45 |
(14.8%) |
closed 168/170 for 0.27 net debit. |
Dec 08, 2014 |
IWM |
122/124 |
Call |
0.07 |
0.00 |
(9.3%) |
expired for profit |
Dec 11, 2014 |
109/111 |
Put |
0.13 |
0.38 |
closed 109/111 for 0.25 net debit. |
Dec 11, 2014 |
RUT |
1125/1130 |
Put |
0.45 |
0.00 |
9.9% |
expired for profit |
Dec 17, 2014 |
SPY |
194/196 |
Put |
0.17 |
0.00 |
9.3% |
expired for profit |
Dec 11, 2014 |
SPY |
196/198 |
Put |
0.19 |
0.55 |
(19.9%) |
closed 196/198 for 0.36 net debit. |
The
DIA position averaged (14.8%)
The
IWM position averaged (9.3%)
The
RUT position averaged 9.9%
The
SPY position averaged (5.3%)
Average return for all positions: (4.9%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: As confidence in the market continued to push it to new record highs, oil began to slide. The slide started to spread fear in the markets as the thought of defaulted loans crept into the minds of investors. This fear spread into the equity markets and a selloff began. As quickly as it began... it ended. The Dow experienced its worst week in years, followed by its best 1-day gain for 2014 and best 2-day gain in years. As the December cycle closes, it looks like the market is set up perfectly for another Santa Claus rally.
November
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Nov 11, 2014 |
DIA |
179/181 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
3.1% |
expired for profit |
Oct 30, 2014 |
DIA |
176/178 |
Call |
0.07 |
0.53 |
(23.8%) |
closed 176/178 for 0.46 net debit. |
Oct 30, 2014 |
IWM |
120/122 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.00 |
4.7% |
expired for profit |
Nov 13, 2014 |
RUT |
1210/1220 |
Call |
0.45 |
0.00 |
4.7% |
expired for profit |
Nov 12, 2014 |
SPY |
208/210 |
Call |
0.07 |
0.00 |
3.6% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged (10.4%)
The
IWM position averaged 4.7%
The
RUT position averaged 4.7%
The
SPY position averaged 3.6%
Average return for all positions: 0.7%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The October selloff is a distant memory to traders as the markets have pushed to new record highs this cycle. All of the geopolitical concerns that scared the markets earlier have not had an effect on investors recently. November and December are historically good months so the markets will probably continue to set new records as we bring 2014 to a close.
October
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Oct 08, 2014 |
DIA |
162/164 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.90 |
(41.5%) |
closed 162/164 for 0.78 net debit. |
Sep 24, 2014 |
DIA |
163/165 |
Put |
0.14 |
0.46 |
(17.2%) |
closed 163/165 for 0.32 net debit. |
Oct 08, 2014 |
IWM |
101/103 |
Put |
0.15 |
0.00 |
8.1% |
expired for profit |
Sep 24, 2014 |
IWM |
104/106 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.72 |
(28.9%) |
closed 104/106 for 0.52 net debit. |
Oct 08, 2014 |
RUT |
1020/1025 |
Put |
0.50 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Sep 24, 2014 |
RUT |
1055/1060 |
Put |
0.50 |
1.50 |
(22.2%) |
closed 1055/1060 for 1.00 net debit. |
Oct 08, 2014 |
SPY |
187/189 |
Put |
0.11 |
0.90 |
(41.8%) |
closed 187/189 for 0.79 net debit. |
Sep 24, 2014 |
SPY |
190/192 |
Put |
0.19 |
0.62 |
(23.8%) |
closed 190/192 for 0.43 net debit. |
The
DIA position averaged (29.3%)
The
IWM position averaged (10.4%)
The
RUT position averaged (5.6%)
The
SPY position averaged (32.8%)
Average return for all positions: (19.5%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Correction, ISIS, Ebola, European recession... these were some of the headlines during this cycle. These events alone wouldn't create too much drama for the markets but the combination of them sure did. The Russell2000 and NASDAQ hit correction territory this cycle, bringing down the S&P500 and Dow. The latter haven't touched correction territory yet but traders may push them to those levels before we can confidently say we've hit the bottom for now. We will tread lightly as we go into November and December, two of the strongest months on record.
September
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Sep 12, 2014 |
IWM |
110/112 |
Put |
0.14 |
0.00 |
7.5% |
expired for profit |
Sep 11, 2014 |
SPY |
193/195 |
Put |
0.15 |
0.00 |
8.1% |
expired for profit |
The
IWM position averaged 7.5%
The
SPY position averaged 8.1%
Average return for all positions: 7.8%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: We hit new record highs for the Dow and S&P500 again. It seems as if the markets don't know how to trade lower as the major indices continue to creep higher and higher. The moves higher have been tempered but the slow creep continues. September is historically a poor performing month but we've pushed to new highs on a regular basis. Calls for a pullback are getting louder but until it actually happens, the trend is higher. There are 7 trading days until the end of the month which is plenty of time for the markets to pull back and make September an under-performer.
August
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Aug 01, 2014 |
DIA |
157/159 |
Put |
0.18 |
0.00 |
9.9% |
expired for profit |
Aug 01, 2014 |
IWM |
104/106 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Jul 29, 2014 |
RUT |
1085/1090 |
Put |
0.50 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Aug 01, 2014 |
SPY |
184/186 |
Put |
0.19 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 9.9%
The
IWM position averaged 11.1%
The
RUT position averaged 11.1%
The
SPY position averaged 10.5%
Average return for all positions: 10.7%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Geopolitical events took center stage this cycle. Concerns over Ukraine, Israel and Iraq, sparked a series of selloffs for Wall Street. Each were short-lived as a decent bounce would follow the sharp declines. The Dow climbed back into positive territory for the year but the index has been trading below 17,000 for the entire month of August so far.
July
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Jul 09, 2014 |
IWM |
112/114 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.47 |
(15.0%) |
closed 112/114 for 0.27 net debit. |
Jul 10, 2014 |
RUT |
1120/1125 |
Put |
0.55 |
0.00 |
12.4% |
expired for profit |
The
IWM position averaged (15.0%)
The
RUT position averaged 12.4%
Average return for all positions: (1.3%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: One day before the July cycle came to an end, some unexpected geopolitical crises took centerstage. Another Malaysian airliner was in the headlines but instead of a disappearance, it was shot down over Ukraine on a routine flight path to Kuala Lumpur. Hours later, the White House was locked down because of an unattended package. Also that day, Israel began a ground offensive in Gaza. All of these headlines sent the markets into a tailspin on an already down week. They did recover on expiration Friday and investors were shifting focus back on corporate earnings. Despite this bump in the road, it looks like the markets will continue to push the Dow, S&P500, and Russell2000 to new record highs.
June
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
May 30, 2014 |
DIA |
171/173 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
6.7% |
expired for profit |
Jun 13, 2014 |
162/164 |
Put |
0.07 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Jun 10, 2014 |
IWM |
121/123 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
8.3% |
expired for profit |
Jun 13, 2014 |
110/112 |
Put |
0.10 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Jun 10, 2014 |
RUT |
1220/1230 |
Call |
0.30 |
0.00 |
8.8% |
expired for profit |
Jun 13, 2014 |
1115/1125 |
Put |
0.55 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
May 30, 2014 |
SPY |
198/200 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
10.3% |
expired for profit |
Jun 13, 2014 |
188/190 |
Put |
0.14 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 6.7%
The
IWM position averaged 8.3%
The
RUT position averaged 8.8%
The
SPY position averaged 10.3%
Average return for all positions: 8.5%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The old adage "Sell in May and go away." did not pose true this year. Instead, the S&P500 and Dow both hit new all-time records. During this cycle, the Fed announced another $10 Billion taper from their stimulus program and assured that rates would remain low until 2015. The VIX is nearing all-time lows but this is usually a sign of complacency and the early stages of a possible deep selloff or correction.
May
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Apr 29, 2014 |
IWM |
104/106 |
Put |
0.19 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
Apr 29, 2014 |
RUT |
1050/1060 |
Put |
0.95 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
May 02, 2014 |
SPY |
193/195 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
3.1% |
expired for profit |
The
IWM position averaged 10.5%
The
RUT position averaged 10.5%
The
SPY position averaged 3.1%
Average return for all positions: 8.0%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: A relatively quiet month for 10PPM. No positions were ever in any danger and the markets cooperated with our trades. The Dow and S&P500 did hit new highs during this cycle but traders were hesitant on the short-term outlook of the market. We will take it slow next month and continue our win streak!
April
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Apr 04, 2014 |
DIA |
169/171 |
Call |
0.11 |
0.00 |
10.6% |
expired for profit |
Apr 08, 2014 |
155/157 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Mar 28, 2014 |
IWM |
108/110 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.70 |
(27.8%) |
closed 108/110 for 0.50 net debit. |
Mar 28, 2014 |
RUT |
1090/1100 |
Put |
1.00 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Apr 04, 2014 |
SPY |
193/195 |
Call |
0.11 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Apr 08, 2014 |
177/179 |
Put |
0.10 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 10.6%
The
IWM position averaged (27.8%)
The
RUT position averaged 11.1%
The
SPY position averaged 11.1%
Average return for all positions: 1.3%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The infamous "correction" almost made an appearance to the major indices this month. The NASDAQ and Russell2000 were the 2 indices that nearly hit that 10% loss in value from the most recent highs. The Dow and S&P500 did sell off significantly but not as much as the others. Despite the sharp drop, our traders were still able to make 3 out of 4 winning trades on the month.
March
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Mar 14, 2014 |
DIA |
154/156 |
Put |
0.15 |
0.00 |
8.1% |
expired for profit |
Mar 10, 2014 |
IWM |
123/125 |
Call |
0.11 |
0.00 |
10.6% |
expired for profit |
Mar 14, 2014 |
110/112 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Mar 10, 2014 |
RUT |
1240/1250 |
Call |
0.55 |
0.00 |
10.6% |
expired for profit |
Mar 14, 2014 |
1110/1120 |
Put |
0.45 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Mar 14, 2014 |
SPY |
178/180 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 8.1%
The
IWM position averaged 10.6%
The
RUT position averaged 10.6%
The
SPY position averaged 11.1%
Average return for all positions: 10.1%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The March cycle was full of headlines as Fitch removed the US from a negative ratings watch, the S&P500 hit intraday records, Crimea elected to secede from Ukraine to join Russia, and a Malaysian 777 disappeared from the face of the earth. Despite the hectic environment, our traders excelled in timing their trades to avoid any trouble and reached our 10% goal once again.
February
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Jan 30, 2014 |
DIA |
149/151 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Jan 30, 2014 |
IWM |
105/107 |
Put |
0.20 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Jan 31, 2014 |
RUT |
1060/1070 |
Put |
0.95 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
Jan 31, 2014 |
SPY |
169/171 |
Put |
0.19 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 11.1%
The
IWM position averaged 11.1%
The
RUT position averaged 10.5%
The
SPY position averaged 10.5%
Average return for all positions: 10.8%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: After a scary start to the New Year, the markets bounced back and are headed into new record territory. Our positions were never in any danger and they all expired worthless for a maximum profit return for all of them. The markets are still hot and may continue higher as the US economy continues to show strength.
January
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Jan 07, 2014 |
DIA |
160/162 |
Put |
0.15 |
0.00 |
8.1% |
expired for profit |
Jan 07, 2014 |
IWM |
110/112 |
Put |
0.16 |
0.00 |
8.7% |
expired for profit |
Jan 08, 2014 |
RUT |
1115/1125 |
Put |
0.90 |
0.00 |
9.9% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 8.1%
The
IWM position averaged 8.7%
The
RUT position averaged 9.9%
Average return for all positions: 8.9%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The 2014 earnings season kicked off with some mediocre reports so far. This contradicts the strength of the economy, according to the Fed. The unemployment rate is at its lowest level in years but it's mainly due to the labor participation rate being at record lows as well. Quantitative Easing is still in effect, even though they scaled back on the monthly injection. The markets seemed to have topped out for now but we are very close to record highs and sentiment is still pretty strong.