2018 Performance

The DIA position averaged (15.3%)
The SPY position averaged (18.0%)

Average return for all positions: (16.7%)

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: December was brutal! One of the month's worst performances since 1931. After the options cycle ended, the markets staged a comeback, including a one-day gain of over 1000 points on the Dow! There are still many headwinds that concern investors but it looks like the markets are stabilizing.


The IWM position averaged 9.9%
The SPY position averaged 9.3%

Average return for all positions: 9.6%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Volatility is still a part of the marketplace and may remain for some time. Many believe that the Fed should not be so hawkish with rates and change their stance on monetary policy. Increased rates hikes may stifle growth and put the brakes on our economy. Trade issues with China are also in focus and is a fluid situation at best right now.


The DIA position averaged 4.7%
The IWM position averaged (39.7%)
The SPY position averaged 5.3%

Average return for all positions: (9.9%)

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: October found itself struggling as Wall Street sold off, bringing some of the major indices into correction territory. This is when the index is 10% below the most recent high. Rates have increased, the dollar has gotten stronger, trade war fears are still in the spotlight and rate hikes are still forecasted in the horizon.


The DIA position averaged 11.5%
The IWM position averaged 10.5%
The SPY position averaged 10.4%

Average return for all positions: 10.8%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The major averages hit new highs during this cycle despite additional trade war fears between the US and China. This, coupled with the fact that the 10-year note has been above 3.0%, the markets are very optimistic and closing at record levels.


The DIA position averaged 11.5%
The SPY position averaged 11.1%

Average return for all positions: 11.3%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Strong earnings fueled the markets this month, inching closer to the record highs set back in February. Fears of an all-out trade war with China put a speed bump in the road but did recover nicely as the two countries agreed to resume talks near the end of the cycle. Turkey was also in the spotlight as its currency plummeted with fears of default. S&P cut Turkey's credit rating deeper into junk territory at the end of the options cycle.


The DIA position averaged 12.4%
The IWM position averaged 11.8%
The SPY position averaged 10.7%

Average return for all positions: 11.6%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: During this cycle, the markets had numerous scares with talks of trade wars with China and our allied partners around the globe. These remarks by President Trump sent Wall Street into selloff mode but only for a day or two. Each time, the markets bounced back and pushed higher. This trend will more than likely continue unless talks of a trade war actually occur.


The IWM position averaged 4.2%
The SPY position averaged 4.7%

Average return for all positions: 4.4%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: During this cycle, the Fed hiked interest rates a quarter point, trade war fears emerged, and the historic Trump-Kim summit actually took place. The markets have handled these events in stride as the major averages all added about 2% during this cycle.


The DIA position averaged 12.4%
The IWM position averaged (3.2%)
The SPY position averaged 12.4%

Average return for all positions: 7.2%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The wild swings from just a few months ago are a distant memory at this point. The fears of the 10-year note being above 3.0% have also faded as we've trading above that with no ill effects on the stock market. In fact, the Russell2000 index has been setting record highs one session after another. Things appear to be on the up and up once again so this rally may continue for the time being.


The DIA position averaged 7.0%
The IWM position averaged 8.1%
The SPY position averaged 11.2%

Average return for all positions: 8.8%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The April cycle had some large down days but also had some steady bounces. There are a lot of headwinds with regards to global and economic events. These have muted any consistent rally the bulls manage to put together. On the other side of the coin, selloffs have been contained to a couple of days at the most. Those selloffs are nowhere near the severity of those earlier this year. It appears as if we'll be range-bound for the near future.


The DIA position averaged 1.2%
The IWM position averaged 100.0%
The SPY position averaged 25.1%

Average return for all positions: 42.1%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: Just as the markets began to appear as if it was in rally mode again, inflation fears sparked another selloff. This was definitely not as bad as the selloff a month earlier and it rebounded just as quick. Volatility is still on the table and this takes a while to shake out. Expect to see wild swings in the market as we try to level off.


The DIA position averaged (12.1%)
The IWM position averaged 11.1%
The SPY position averaged 35.3%

Average return for all positions: 11.4%

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The pullback, something analysts have been forecasting for many months, finally happened. The selloff was so sharp, the volatility index spiked over 50 and the major indices hit the 10% correction level within a few trading days. The Dow suffered unprecedented, 4-digit losses on 2 different trading days. Wall Street recovered about half of these losses before the cycle ended. We'll see if we can recover the rest of these losses or retest the lows in the upcoming months.


The SPY position averaged (16.7%)

Average return for all positions: (16.7%)

SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS MONTH'S TRADE: The markets are still heating up, pushing new record highs, almost on a daily basis. The year has started off on a very positive note and there are no signs of it slowing down. Analysts have been calling for a pullback for months but the markets have said otherwise.