December
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Dec 01, 2017 |
IWM |
156/158 |
Call |
0.15 |
0.00 |
12.4% |
expired for profit |
Dec 08, 2017 |
145/147 |
Put |
0.08 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Dec 01, 2017 |
IWM |
156/158 |
Call |
0.15 |
0.00 |
11.9% |
expired for profit |
Dec 07, 2017 |
143/145 |
Put |
0.07 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Dec 01, 2017 |
SPY |
270/272 |
Call |
0.11 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Dec 08, 2017 |
258/260 |
Put |
0.10 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
IWM position averaged 12.2%
The
SPY position averaged 11.1%
Average return for all positions: 11.6%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Wall Street continues to push the markets higher into record levels. The House and Senate tax bill is coming together for a final bill to be signed by the President before Christmas. The markets will likely continue the upward trend as long as the tax reform bill is successful.
November
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Nov 10, 2017 |
IWM |
142/144 |
Put |
0.19 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
The
IWM position averaged 10.5%
Average return for all positions: 10.5%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The markets logged two consecutive losing weeks at the end of this cycle. Some fear it's the beginning of a well overdue pullback or even correction. The House passed their tax reform bill and it's now up to Congress to do the same. If they fail, that may be the catalyst to spark the selloff.
October
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Oct 20, 2017 |
DIA |
230/232 |
Put |
0.10 |
0.00 |
5.3% |
expired for profit |
Sep 21, 2017 |
DIA |
229/231 |
Call |
0.07 |
2.00 |
(100.0%) |
Expired in the money 229/231 for 1.93 net debit. |
Oct 20, 2017 |
IWM |
148/150 |
Put |
0.11 |
0.00 |
5.8% |
expired for profit |
Sep 25, 2017 |
IWM |
149/151 |
Call |
0.08 |
1.05 |
(50.5%) |
closed 149/151 for 0.97 net debit. |
Oct 20, 2017 |
SPY |
254/256 |
Put |
0.05 |
0.00 |
2.6% |
expired for profit |
Sep 20, 2017 |
SPY |
256/258 |
Call |
0.07 |
0.56 |
(25.4%) |
closed 256/258 for 0.49 net debit. |
The
DIA position averaged (47.4%)
The
IWM position averaged (22.4%)
The
SPY position averaged (11.4%)
Average return for all positions: (27.0%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: More record highs as all major averages continue to uptrend. Many fear a sharp selloff in the near future but the "melt-up" is bucking that thought... for now. This type of market is very difficult to trade in as all logic can be thrown out the window. We will continue to tread carefully.
September
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Aug 30, 2017 |
DIA |
211/213 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
4.7% |
expired for profit |
Aug 30, 2017 |
IWM |
131/133 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.00 |
(9.6%) |
expired for profit |
Sep 08, 2017 |
142/144 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.39 |
Bought back short for average of $.39. ToS/TDA was unable to buy back at our limit... had to buy at market for $0.66. |
The
DIA position averaged 4.7%
The
IWM position averaged (9.6%)
Average return for all positions: (2.4%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: World events were very volatile, contrary to the US markets. Even though North Korea fired 2 missiles over Japan and another terror attack occured in London, Wall Street continued to set record highs. It seems like nothing will take this market down at the moment.
August
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Aug 11, 2017 |
DIA |
212/214 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.00 |
6.4% |
expired for profit |
Jul 27, 2017 |
DIA |
222/224 |
Call |
0.11 |
0.38 |
(14.3%) |
closed 222/224 for 0.27 net debit. |
Aug 08, 2017 |
IWM |
135/137 |
Put |
0.11 |
0.72 |
(31.9%) |
closed 135/137 for 0.61 net debit. |
Jul 27, 2017 |
IWM |
147/149 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.00 |
10.0% |
expired for profit |
Aug 11, 2017 |
130/132 |
Put |
0.10 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Jul 31, 2017 |
SPY |
252/254 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
8.8% |
expired for profit |
Aug 11, 2017 |
236/238 |
Put |
0.11 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged (4.0%)
The
IWM position averaged (11.0%)
The
SPY position averaged 8.8%
Average return for all positions: (2.1%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: New record highs were obtained during this cycle, along with some of the largest single-day losses of the year. Volatility spiked and caused a little fear in the market but those fears were very short-lived. As the Summer comes to an end, many investors are anticipating a sharp selloff. Time will tell...
July
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Jul 05, 2017 |
DIA |
219/221 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
3.1% |
expired for profit |
Jul 06, 2017 |
IWM |
145/147 |
Call |
0.08 |
0.00 |
8.9% |
expired for profit |
Jul 13, 2017 |
135/137 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Jul 05, 2017 |
SPY |
248/250 |
Call |
0.08 |
0.00 |
4.2% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 3.1%
The
IWM position averaged 8.9%
The
SPY position averaged 4.2%
Average return for all positions: 5.4%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Another month and another record high. The major averages continue to push to never before seen levels. As forecasts of a selloff increase, investors shrug off the doubters by buying more stocks. Wall Street is seeing nothing but green as earnings season has kicked off. Volume is low as many traders have taken off for the Summer. The likelihood of a selloff will probably remain low until September.
June
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
May 31, 2017 |
DIA |
214/216 |
Call |
0.08 |
0.10 |
(1.1%) |
Partial fills resulted in returns between -6.3% to 4.2%. Average return was -1.1%. |
May 30, 2017 |
IWM |
142/144 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.55 |
(19.4%) |
closed 142/144 for 0.46 net debit. |
Jun 08, 2017 |
135/137 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
May 31, 2017 |
SPY |
246/248 |
Call |
0.10 |
0.00 |
5.3% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged (1.1%)
The
IWM position averaged (19.4%)
The
SPY position averaged 5.3%
Average return for all positions: (5.1%)
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: As promised, the Federal Reserve increased rates by another 25 basis points this month. The future of upcoming rate hikes is in question though, as the economy seems to be slowing down a bit. The markets continue to climb higher, reaching one new record high after another. Summer months typically trade lower so we'll see if this uptrend continues.
May
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Apr 28, 2017 |
DIA |
214/216 |
Call |
0.07 |
0.00 |
8.3% |
expired for profit |
May 12, 2017 |
203/205 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Apr 28, 2017 |
IWM |
145/147 |
Call |
0.10 |
0.00 |
10.5% |
expired for profit |
May 11, 2017 |
132/134 |
Put |
0.10 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Apr 27, 2017 |
SPY |
244/246 |
Call |
0.10 |
0.00 |
10.0% |
expired for profit |
May 12, 2017 |
233/235 |
Put |
0.09 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 8.3%
The
IWM position averaged 10.5%
The
SPY position averaged 10.0%
Average return for all positions: 9.6%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Despite recent terrorist attacks, North Korea launching test missles and negative news claims against the Trump administration, the markets continue to trade near record levels. We've been trading pretty flat lately and haven't been able to break through resistence. On the same token, any selloff attempts are short-lived, staying above key support levels. Sentiment on the US economy is positive and it may take something drastic to bring the markets down.
April
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Mar 29, 2017 |
DIA |
198/200 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.00 |
6.4% |
expired for profit |
Mar 28, 2017 |
IWM |
126/128 |
Put |
0.14 |
0.00 |
7.5% |
expired for profit |
Mar 29, 2017 |
SPY |
226/228 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.00 |
6.4% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 6.4%
The
IWM position averaged 7.5%
The
SPY position averaged 6.4%
Average return for all positions: 6.8%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: A very busy month with regards to world events. Numerous terrorist attacks around the globe in addition to US attacks in Syria and Afghanistan. Despite all of these scary headlines, the markets held on to their near-record levels. It's going to take something serious to bring this market down.
March
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Mar 01, 2017 |
DIA |
217/219 |
Call |
0.10 |
0.00 |
11.1% |
expired for profit |
Mar 10, 2017 |
203/205 |
Put |
0.11 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Feb 23, 2017 |
IWM |
145/147 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.00 |
11.0% |
expired for profit |
Mar 09, 2017 |
130/132 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
Mar 02, 2017 |
SPY |
244/246 |
Call |
0.11 |
0.00 |
12.2% |
expired for profit |
Mar 09, 2017 |
230/232 |
Put |
0.12 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 11.1%
The
IWM position averaged 11.0%
The
SPY position averaged 12.2%
Average return for all positions: 11.4%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The Federal Reserve met during this cycle and, as expected, hiked rates by another 25 basis points. The reaction on Wall Street was positive as it pushed the Dow higher by more than 100 points. The rally has continued despite having the cost of borrowing money increase twice in about 3 months. More hikes are expected this year but with the economy showing more signs of strength, Wall Street will probably take it in stride.
February
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Jan 27, 2017 |
IWM |
141/143 |
Call |
0.14 |
0.00 |
10.8% |
expired for profit |
Feb 10, 2017 |
131/133 |
Put |
0.06 |
0.00 |
expired for profit |
The
IWM position averaged 10.8%
Average return for all positions: 10.8%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The Dow finally broke the 20,000 mark! More importantly, it held. Toward the end of this cycle, it slowly crept higher, sending us to new record levels. We've gained about 13% since the election on November 8, 2016. That is a huge climb in a relatively short period. Let's see if we head higher...
January
Open Date |
Underlying |
Strikes |
Type |
Credit |
Debit |
Result |
Trade Notes |
Jan 09, 2017 |
DIA |
203/205 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.00 |
4.7% |
expired for profit |
Jan 09, 2017 |
IWM |
140/142 |
Call |
0.09 |
0.00 |
4.7% |
expired for profit |
Jan 05, 2017 |
SPY |
232/234 |
Call |
0.06 |
0.00 |
3.1% |
expired for profit |
The
DIA position averaged 4.7%
The
IWM position averaged 4.7%
The
SPY position averaged 3.1%
Average return for all positions: 4.2%
SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The market was pretty flat during the first cycle of 2017. The run towards Dow 20,000 seemed to have hit a brick wall. We came within a fraction of a point of hitting the milestone but have since pulled back, still trading within striking distance. The inauguration of Donald J. Trump was pretty uneventful for the markets as well. A selloff is forecasted by many analysts but we may remain in this flat trading environment a bit longer.