SteadyOptions is an options trading forum where you can find solutions from top options traders. Join Us!

We’ve all been there… researching options strategies and unable to find the answers we’re looking for. SteadyOptions has your solution.

Kim

CMLviz Trade Machine

790 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

10 minutes ago, RapperT said:

thanks @Yowster, but we wouldnt want to close the entire trade 5 days prior to earnings (in all cases).  That's the piece I cant seem to get right.  That and having the shorts set to 7 day roll and opening when I have the long open.

I would only really (initially) be backtesting underlying that I identified as having necessary IV run up into earnings to make sense as earnings straddles (to your RV point)

 

I'll play with your set up, interested to see what @Ophir Gottlieb comes up with

 

@RapperTIts not closing 5 days prior to earnings in all cases, that depends on what day of the week earnings is for that company.   If earnings is on the Monday its closing 1 day prior to earnings, if earnings is Thursday its closing 4 days prior to earnings.  So I think you'll have to tweak that days prior to number depending on what day of the week a company reports (and if a company reports on different days of the week on different earnings cycles then you may have to download the detailed trades and tweak the data as necessary if you want to be 100% accurate).

Edited by Yowster

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
3 minutes ago, Yowster said:

@RapperTIts not closing 5 days prior to earnings in all cases, that depends on what day of the week earnings is for that company.   If earnings is on the Monday it closing 1 day prior to earnings, if earnings is Thursday its closing 4 days prior to earnings.  So I think you'll have to tweak that days prior to number depending on what day of the week a company reports (and it a company reports on different days then you may have to download the detailed trades and tweak the data as necessary).

hmmm.  Ok i'll mess around with it.  This may not be super efficient for what im trying to do

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
7 minutes ago, RapperT said:

hmmm.  Ok i'll mess around with it.  This may not be super efficient for what im trying to do

@RapperTBTW, the tool seems to be using the wrong date for NKE Dec 2016 earnings.  The actual earnings data was 12/20, but the tool thinks it was later.  Net result is that the short strangle was using options expiring after earnings, which is not how the trade is designed to work.  This is now the 2nd time I've seen incorrect earnings dates being used (AMZN was the other case).

Edited by Yowster

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
10 hours ago, izzo70 said:

@Kim Will you be using this tool to add to the list of SO strategies (i.e. post earnings)?  If strategies arise that out perform one or some of our current strategies, will we try them out?   Or is it more for individual use and strategizing outside of official SO trades.  (If this has already been addressed i apologize in advance as i didnt read all 10 pages of post.) Thanks

It's really up to you. I'm always looking for new strategies to incorporate into our official model portfolio, and if members come with new ideas that look good, I'm always open to try them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey guys, 

 

I am answering a bunch of questions at once here, so take your time perusing this post.

 

1. Earnings timing:

If you want your strategy to use options that expire AFTER earnings, even if you are closing the position before earnings using the custom earnings handling make sure:

Rollover >= Open Days Before Earnings

Examples:

 

 

Open Days Before Earnings Rollover Expiration Time
10 7 Select an expiry that expires before earnings
7 7 Select an expiry that expires after earnings
29 30 Select an expiry that expires after earnings

 

 

So, in a meaningful example, let's pretend we wanted to open a strategy 7 days before earnings AND we want the options to have expirations AFTER earnings. We stat with this:

71bef.PNG

 

And we make our rollover is 7 days or more, so this is ok:

303077.PNG

 

This will buy a monthly straddle and sell a weekly straddle but both expirations chosen will be AFTER earnings.

 

If, instead, you wanted the short straddle to expire BEFORE earnings, then you could make the rollover 6 days or make the "open position days before earngins" 8 days.

 

2. Rolling options before the they expire

An example here is selling a put spread with 30 day options but rolling it every 7 days (or whatever).

 

There is a way to test it, however it requires a trick. Here it is the custom strategy:
 
monthlyweeky.PNG
 
 
What we have done here is entered a credit spread with 30 options (for example) and then added a 7 day option with a trivial delta (to keep the price low).  Then we have 'checked the box that reads "Close all legs with front month options". 
 
This will force the 30 day option spreads to close with the 7 day option, and then it will all roll again.
 
If you use this as a proxy for your back-test, note your commissions and adjust them a little. We used a 5-lot credit spread and only a 1-lot weekly option to reduce the unintended commissions. Since you are testing a spread, this will have no impact on your "amount risked" and since it's a very cheap option (1 delta) it should have very little effect on your return %.
 
This is a bit of trick here, but it works extremely well.
 

 

3. Days before earnings and after earnings

We use TRADING days up to 7 days. So:

 

Earnings Day Day Before Day After
Monday Friday Tuesday
Tuesday Monday Wednesday
Wednesday Tuesday Thursday
Thursday Wednesday Friday
Friday Thursday Monday

 

 

Also, "0 Days Before Earnings" and "0 Days After Earnings" are the same day

 

OK, that's it!

 

Happy Sunday to tall!

 

 

Edited by Ophir Gottlieb

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I've been experimenting with butterflies on RUT (balanced ones, not broken wing).  I cam up with this using puts:

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=DsmflSzQHWR3pWFX

The results are fantastic, but after digging into it, I realized that the strikes are unbalanced.  I think the backtesting is picking strikes based on the closest delta, which may not always be balanced.  I'm guessing that when they're unbalanced, the margin requirement goes up, which skews the percentage gains calc?

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
3 minutes ago, Darcy MacDonald said:

So I've been experimenting with butterflies on RUT (balanced ones, not broken wing).  I cam up with this using puts:

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=DsmflSzQHWR3pWFX

The results are fantastic, but after digging into it, I realized that the strikes are unbalanced.  I think the backtesting is picking strikes based on the closest delta, which may not always be balanced.  I'm guessing that when they're unbalanced, the margin requirement goes up, which skews the percentage gains calc?

 

 

That's right.

 

But as an aside, 50 delta custom strategies will always choose the same strike, so it will be correct.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 

Trading Patterns of Optimism Has Meant Remarkable Returns for Twitter Inc

 
TWTR_building_logo_hammer.jpg


Date Published:  
Written by Ophir Gottlieb 

LEDE 
Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) has a pattern of missing earnings and a stock drop after the fact. But, the incredible phenomenon comes right before earnings -- no matter how many times Twitter disappoints, optimism tends to build just before the earnings release, and that is a tradeable phenomenon. 

This is how people profit from the option market -- it's attention to detail rather than hope. 

The Trade Before Earnings 
Selling a put spread is simply a bet that a stock "won't go down very much." Doing so Twitter has been a disaster -- as the stock has fallen so has a short put spread trader been eviscerated. 

But we don't care about the stock movements on whole, what we care about is a repeatable pattern and for Twitter that has meant optimism, or least a lack of pessimism, ahead of earnings. 

THE TRADE 
What we want to test is selling at out-of-the-money put spread in Twitter two-weeks before earnings which expires before earnings. We don't want to make an earnings bet, we simply want to ride the immoveable optimism in the stock right before earnings. Here is the set-up: 
 
setup_15_1_before.PNG


And here are the results, side-by-side with selling a put spread every month. 
 

We see a 59% losing trade turn into a 72.7% winning trade and we also see the win-rate go from 64% to 83%. Even further, the left-hand side required trading every two-weeks for three-full years, whereas this pre-earnings trade only happened 12 times (one for each earning release) for a total of 24-weeks of trading. 

Consistent 
This "optimism," or really, "lack of pessimism," in Twitter stock right before earnings has been a consistent pattern. Here are the results over the last two-years: 
 

We're now looking at nearly 29% returns on 6 winning trades and 2 losing trades. It's worth noting again that we are only talking about two-weeks of trading for each earnings release, so this 29% in just 24-weeks. 

For completeness, we include the results over the two most recent earnings events (6-moths). 
 

That's 25% on 4-weeks of trading or a whopping 325% annualized return without once taking the risk of an actual earnings release. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
This is how people profit from the option market -- it's preparation, not luck. It's attention to detail rather than hope. To see how to do this for any stock and for any strategy, including covered calls, with just the click of a few buttons, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work 

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

The author has no position in Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) as of this writing. 

Go to the back-test link

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
3 hours ago, Ophir Gottlieb said:

 

 

Trading Patterns of Optimism Has Meant Remarkable Returns for Twitter Inc

 
TWTR_building_logo_hammer.jpg


Date Published:  
Written by Ophir Gottlieb 

LEDE 
Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) has a pattern of missing earnings and a stock drop after the fact. But, the incredible phenomenon comes right before earnings -- no matter how many times Twitter disappoints, optimism tends to build just before the earnings release, and that is a tradeable phenomenon. 

This is how people profit from the option market -- it's attention to detail rather than hope. 

The Trade Before Earnings 
Selling a put spread is simply a bet that a stock "won't go down very much." Doing so Twitter has been a disaster -- as the stock has fallen so has a short put spread trader been eviscerated. 

But we don't care about the stock movements on whole, what we care about is a repeatable pattern and for Twitter that has meant optimism, or least a lack of pessimism, ahead of earnings. 

THE TRADE 
What we want to test is selling at out-of-the-money put spread in Twitter two-weeks before earnings which expires before earnings. We don't want to make an earnings bet, we simply want to ride the immoveable optimism in the stock right before earnings. Here is the set-up: 
 
setup_15_1_before.PNG


And here are the results, side-by-side with selling a put spread every month. 
 

We see a 59% losing trade turn into a 72.7% winning trade and we also see the win-rate go from 64% to 83%. Even further, the left-hand side required trading every two-weeks for three-full years, whereas this pre-earnings trade only happened 12 times (one for each earning release) for a total of 24-weeks of trading. 

Consistent 
This "optimism," or really, "lack of pessimism," in Twitter stock right before earnings has been a consistent pattern. Here are the results over the last two-years: 
 

We're now looking at nearly 29% returns on 6 winning trades and 2 losing trades. It's worth noting again that we are only talking about two-weeks of trading for each earnings release, so this 29% in just 24-weeks. 

For completeness, we include the results over the two most recent earnings events (6-moths). 
 

That's 25% on 4-weeks of trading or a whopping 325% annualized return without once taking the risk of an actual earnings release. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
This is how people profit from the option market -- it's preparation, not luck. It's attention to detail rather than hope. To see how to do this for any stock and for any strategy, including covered calls, with just the click of a few buttons, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work 

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

The author has no position in Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) as of this writing. 

Go to the back-test link

 

Yes, it is just what is shown (for TWTR).

But, as I replace TWTR with other stocks, almost every single one that I test, shows even better results.

Everything is 75%-87.5% wins, but, depending on the stock and lookback period, the returns seem to rise into triple digits with each new test.

I'm just wondering why you chose to focus on TWTR to write a story about, when there are so many others that are WAY better in every regard?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
6 minutes ago, cuegis said:

Yes, it is just what is shown (for TWTR).

But, as I replace TWTR with other stocks, almost every single one that I test, shows even better results.

Everything is 75%-87.5% wins, but, depending on the stock and lookback period, the returns seem to rise into triple digits with each new test.

I'm just wondering why you chose to focus on TWTR to write a story about, when there are so many others that are WAY better in every regard?

 

Showing a stock that has gone up for 3-years working on a short put spread is easy -- it's a real strategy when it works for stocks that have collapsed. 

 

I'm not looking for good bc up is up -- I'm looking for a win, irrespective of broad stock direction. Show me a collapsing stock that has a period where a short p/s works -- OK, now you have my attention.  

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
20 minutes ago, Ophir Gottlieb said:

 

Showing a stock that has gone up for 3-years working on a short put spread is easy -- it's a real strategy when it works for stocks that have collapsed. 

 

I'm not looking for good bc up is up -- I'm looking for a win, irrespective of broad stock direction. Show me a collapsing stock that has a period where a short p/s works -- OK, now you have my attention.  

Well, it hasn't gone down the past 2 of those 3 years. It has just been in a trading range for 2 years.

The collapse happened before 2 years ago.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 6/18/2017 at 0:02 PM, Darcy MacDonald said:

So I've been experimenting with butterflies on RUT (balanced ones, not broken wing).  I cam up with this using puts:

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=DsmflSzQHWR3pWFX

The results are fantastic, but after digging into it, I realized that the strikes are unbalanced.  I think the backtesting is picking strikes based on the closest delta, which may not always be balanced.  I'm guessing that when they're unbalanced, the margin requirement goes up, which skews the percentage gains calc?

 

 

Darcy -- my read on this is that the risk analysis is incorrect.  Absolute profits may be fine, but to say that in 58 trades on the RUT, you only risked around $1200 is way wrong.  Just one ATM RUT butterfly, 30 days out, with 45 point wide strikes risks about a $1600 loss...though the BP reduction is about $12.50 with portfolio margin.  Maybe Ophir can check and see how risk is calculated on butterflies.  If risk is buying power reduction, I think the risk analysis in the Trade Machine might be a little goofy!  Your trade is probably still good, just not as good as stated as risked reduction.  Hope that makes sense.

Edited by Guy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
1 hour ago, Guy said:

Darcy -- my read on this is that the risk analysis is incorrect.  Absolute profits may be fine, but to say that in 58 trades on the RUT, you only risked around $1200 is way wrong.  Just one ATM RUT butterfly, 30 days out, with 45 point wide strikes risks about a $1600 loss...though the BP reduction is about $12.50 with portfolio margin.  Maybe Ophir can check and see how risk is calculated on butterflies.  If risk is buying power reduction, I think the risk analysis in the Trade Machine might be a little goofy!  Your trade is probably still good, just not as good as stated as risked reduction.  Hope that makes sense.

@Guy @Darcy MacDonaldI agree with Guy, the risk calculation is way off so the trade is not quite as profitable as it seems.  I believe the "risked" amount is meant to be the highest amount at risk in any trade iteration, but that is not the case.  I looked at the detailed trade stats, and lets take the very first trade in Darcy's example http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=DsmflSzQHWR3pWFX.

 

Its an 1120/1185/1230 unbalanced put fly purchased for $1020 (another way to think of it is breaking the trade into 2 vertical spreads so you have a credit spread of width 65 and a debit spread of width 45).  With a regular balanced fly the max you can lose is the amount you paid when opening the trade.   With this unbalanced fly, if RUT is above the high 1230 strike at expiration you only lose the $1020 you paid, but if it is below the low 1120 strike you would have to pay an additional $2000 when closing the trade (because the credit spread is 20 points wider than the debit spread). So, in this example the max loss (the risked amount) is the $3020 - the $1020 trade cost plus the additional $2000 if RUT goes below the short strike.   In the trade summary it even shows the avg loss of $1356 - which is greater than the amount risked value of $1199 so this can't possibly be correct.

 

@Ophir GottliebTake a look at the above, something is wrong with the risked calculation for this custom trade...

Edited by Yowster

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
7 minutes ago, Yowster said:

@Guy @Darcy MacDonaldI agree with Guy, the risk calculation is way off so the trade is not quite as profitable as it seems.  I believe the "risked" amount is meant to be the highest amount at risk in any trade iteration, but that is not the case.  I looked at the detailed trade stats, and lets take the very first trade in Darcy's example http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=DsmflSzQHWR3pWFX.

 

Its an 1120/1185/1230 unbalanced put fly purchased for $1020 (another way to think of it is breaking the trade into 2 vertical spreads so you have a credit spread of width 65 and a debit spread of width 45).  With a regular balanced fly the max you can lose is the amount you paid when opening the trade.   With this unbalanced fly, if RUT is above the high 1230 strike at expiration you only lose the $1020 you paid, but if it is below the low 1120 strike you would have to pay an additional $2000 when closing the trade (because the credit spread is 20 points wider than the debit spread). So, in this example the max loss (the risked amount) is the $3020 - the $1020 trade cost plus the additional $2000 if RUT goes below the short strike.   In the trade summary it even shows the avg loss of $1356 - which is greater than the amount risked value of $1199 so this can't possibly be correct.

 

@Ophir GottliebTake a look at the above, something is wrong with the risked calculation for this custom trade...

 

We are still working on risk for odd situations  (like this). We're getting there, making nice progress every day. Thanks for all your feedback!.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
12 hours ago, Ophir Gottlieb said:

 

Showing a stock that has gone up for 3-years working on a short put spread is easy -- it's a real strategy when it works for stocks that have collapsed. 

 

I'm not looking for good bc up is up -- I'm looking for a win, irrespective of broad stock direction. Show me a collapsing stock that has a period where a short p/s works -- OK, now you have my attention.  

Ophir -- Just one perspective...but I too look for trades that can be frequent and irrespective of market direction.  I want strategies that I can run weekly, or at a minimum monthly, and work well in all market environments.  With Trade Machine, I found a set of weekly strangle sales in some of the major ETF's that seem to do that, and posted that previously (to the sound of crickets!).  I think I would personally find it difficult to manage trades that occur only 4 times a year or less. (But I count on Kim to do that with SO trades!)  Also, I am more likely to believe in a strategy that has proven successful with a large number of occurrences (like 25+) than one that has less than 10 -- and can be influenced by an outlier.

So, keep up the great work on Trade Machine and CMLviz.  TM has advanced my own trading more than anything I have run across in the last 5+ years, and at significantly less cost than some of the guru courses I have unfortunately spent a small fortune on!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
36 minutes ago, Guy said:

Ophir -- Just one perspective...but I too look for trades that can be frequent and irrespective of market direction.  I want strategies that I can run weekly, or at a minimum monthly, and work well in all market environments.  With Trade Machine, I found a set of weekly strangle sales in some of the major ETF's that seem to do that, and posted that previously (to the sound of crickets!).  I think I would personally find it difficult to manage trades that occur only 4 times a year or less. (But I count on Kim to do that with SO trades!)  Also, I am more likely to believe in a strategy that has proven successful with a large number of occurrences (like 25+) than one that has less than 10 -- and can be influenced by an outlier.

So, keep up the great work on Trade Machine and CMLviz.  TM has advanced my own trading more than anything I have run across in the last 5+ years, and at significantly less cost than some of the guru courses I have unfortunately spent a small fortune on!!!

Thank you so much, Guy. I'm very happy to hear it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe I have found a bug in a backtest of a short Iron Condor (it is really known as an "Iron Butterfly").

This is where you sell the ATM straddle and buy the 20 Delta Strangle.

It would be an Iron "Condor" if it consisted of 2 strangles.

But, back to the point.

As you can see by looking back at the actual trades.

Only look back at the 2nd box, which says "sell 50 Delta Call and Put

Buy 20 Delta Call and Put."

Open up the box to view the actual trades.

As far as I can see, you are selling 50 Delta Calls and 80 Delta Puts, and buying 20 Delta "Strangles".

Why does it continue to sell 80 Delta puts and 50 Delta calls, while saying that it is selling 50 delta of each?

It can't be because of where the price is and not being able to find the appropriate strike.

If there is a 46 call, then there has to be a 46 put.

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=ZEpJQHDUN2QSw1wI

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Ophir Gottlieb  Just looking at this more seriously and running some hypotheticals.  AMZN-Never Trade Earnings -Long Call Verticals -10 days from expiration: with Long 60 Deltas and short 30 Deltas appear to do very well.  I like the short time frame as it allows more turnovers.  This tests well in 6 Mo,1 Yr,2 Yr scenarios.  3 Yr not bad either.  I like the liquidity of a big mover like AMZN.  Right now I'm in a long call vertical but it's long 55 Delta and short 15 Delta.  I may make a change tomorrow.....http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=hXyHedCQLgbhAtH5

 

 

Edited by NikTam

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
3 hours ago, cuegis said:

I believe I have found a bug in a backtest of a short Iron Condor (it is really known as an "Iron Butterfly").

This is where you sell the ATM straddle and buy the 20 Delta Strangle.

It would be an Iron "Condor" if it consisted of 2 strangles.

But, back to the point.

As you can see by looking back at the actual trades.

Only look back at the 2nd box, which says "sell 50 Delta Call and Put

Buy 20 Delta Call and Put."

Open up the box to view the actual trades.

As far as I can see, you are selling 50 Delta Calls and 80 Delta Puts, and buying 20 Delta "Strangles".

Why does it continue to sell 80 Delta puts and 50 Delta calls, while saying that it is selling 50 delta of each?

It can't be because of where the price is and not being able to find the appropriate strike.

If there is a 46 call, then there has to be a 46 put.

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=ZEpJQHDUN2QSw1wI

 

 

Let's keep support questions to our support staff (support@cmlviz.com).

 

You'll get faster answers than waiting for me to check this board. Happy to help there if it requires my attention as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
26 minutes ago, NikTam said:

@Ophir Gottlieb  Just looking at this more seriously and running some hypotheticals.  AMZN-Never Trade Earnings -Long Call Verticals -10 days from expiration: with Long 60 Deltas and short 30 Deltas appear to do very well.  I like the short time frame as it allows more turnovers.  This tests well in 6 Mo,1 Yr,2 Yr scenarios.  3 Yr not bad either.  I like the liquidity of a big mover like AMZN.  Right now I'm in a long call vertical but it's long 55 Delta and short 15 Delta.  I may make a change tomorrow.....http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=hXyHedCQLgbhAtH5

 

 

I like this, but just note that it is, without question, a bullish stance, unlike some of the other ideas we discuss here which tend to be less stock direction biased.

 

Having said that, one of my favorite approaches is to look at trades that win a lot, and try them until they lose, then I simply move on. I know my last trade will be a loss, that's my trigger to move on, but until then I can try some momentum. I just don't let myself dig a hole by trying over and over again with a loser that is stock direction biased.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
2 hours ago, NikTam said:

@Ophir Gottlieb thanks for response!  Is it possible to structure a butterfly or even unbalanced butterfly? I couldn't figure out how to do it using Custom option.  

 

Sure. Here is an ATM butterfly: http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=TwIYaGU9I8ejF6yo

 

 

ATMbutterfly.PNG

 

This is AMZN over the last 3-years

AMZNTAMbutt.PNG

 

 

Edited by Ophir Gottlieb

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Timing Red Hat Options Around Earnings

rhat_building.jpg



Date Published:  
Written by Ophir Gottlieb 

LEDE 
Red Hat Inc (NYSE:RHT) just beat earnings and the stock is ripping to new all-time highs, but the real opportunity with options wasn't earnings -- it's right after earnings. 

The Trade After Earnings 
Selling a put spread every month in a stock that is rising, in hindsight, obviously looks like a great idea. But, there is a lot of risk in that trade, namely, the risk of an abrupt stock drop and a market sell-off that takes all stocks with it. So, we want to reduce the risk while not affecting the returns. 

One of our go to trade set-ups starts by asking the question if trading every month is worth it -- is it profitable -- is it worth the risk? There's an action plan that measures this exactly, and the results are powerful not just for Red Hat Inc, but for Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) as well. 

Let's test the idea of selling a put spread only in the month after earnings. Here's what we mean: 
 

setup_post_earnings_timing.PNG



Our idea here is that after earnings are reported, and after the stock does all of its gymnastics, up or down, that two-days following the earnings move and for the next month, the stock is then in a quiet period. 

If it gapped down -- that gap is over. If it beat earnings, the downside move is already likely muted. Here is the set-up: 
 

setup_2_29_after_custom_e.PNG



More explicitly, the rules are: 

Rules 
* Open short put spread 2-days after earnings. 
* Close short put spread 29-days later. 
* Use the option that is closest to but greater than 40-days away from expiration. 

And here are the results of implementing this much finer strategy: 
 



We see a 29.4% winner that only traded the month following earnings and took no risk at all other times. The trade has won 7 of the last 8 times, or a 87.5% win-rate. 

Here is how the strategy has done over the last year: 
 



It turns out the return is really coming from a streak of wins in the last year. We see a 47.5% return, winning each of the last four earning cycles. That 47.5% return is based on just 4-months of trading, so it's more than 160% in annualized returns. 

Here's what we see over the last six-months: 
 



Now we see a 28.9% return over the last two earnings cycles, winning both times. 

As an aside, this logic of finding the month of lowest risk to sell put spreads also worked remarkably well and remarkably similarly across the board in Apple Inc, Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc. 
 



WHAT HAPPENED 
This is it. This is just one of the ways people profit from the option market -- optimize returns and reduce risk. To see how to do this for any stock and for any strategy, including covered calls, with just the click of a few buttons, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

The author has no position in Red Hat Inc as of this writing. 

Back-test Link

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Ophir GottliebThe "Risked" value is way too high for your RHT example.   Take a look at your 1-year backtest, it has the amount risked as $2905 for selling 5 put vertical credit spreads.   Now, when you look into the trade details, the maximum width of the four credit spreads is 5.   So, 500x5=2500 (which is less than the 2905 value displayed by the tool) - but you also have to subtract the credit received 73x5=365 which gives you a Risk value of 2500-365=2135.   This is the first trade iteration in the 1-year backtest, the other three trades have risk values that are even lower.

Edited by Yowster

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
15 hours ago, Ophir Gottlieb said:

 

Sure. Here is an ATM butterfly: http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=TwIYaGU9I8ejF6yo

 

 

ATMbutterfly.PNG

 

This is AMZN over the last 3-years

AMZNTAMbutt.PNG

 

 

You can also create the exact same trade using puts and calls (Iron Butterfly).

You are selling the ATM straddle, and buying whatever delta (ex. 20, 30 etc) strangle you want

You don't need to make it from a "Custom Trade".

You can easily create it from the basic program by choosing Iron Condor (wrong definition), and sell 50 delta calls and puts, and buy 20, or 30 delta puts and calls.

The program had a bug that was not calculating this trade correctly.

But, I wrote to Support, and the they found the problem and fixed it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

The Unbelievable Pattern in Alphabet Stock Ahead of Earnings

 
googl_building_3.jpg


Date Published:  
Written by Ophir Gottlieb 

Lede 
There is an unbelievable pattern in Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) stock ahead of earnings that has meant a wonderful return in the option market. 

Preface 
One of the least recognized yet most important phenomena surrounding this market run by the mega technology stocks is the amount of optimism that sets in the two weeks before an earnings announcement. 

That is, totally irrespective of whether the stocks have a history of beating earnings, in the two-weeks before of earnings, several of them tend to rally abruptly into the event. There has been a way to profit from this pattern without taking any actual earnings risk -- and it is simply staggering in Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL). 

This is how people profit from the option market -- it's attention to detail rather than hope. 

The Trade Before Earnings 
Let's look at a simple idea -- buying a monthly call option in Alphabet Inc two-weeks before earnings and selling the call before the earnings announcement. 

Here's the set-up in great clarity; again, note that the trade closes before earnings, so this trade does not make a bet on the result of the earnings result. 
 
setup_15_1_before.PNG


Now, unlike many of our other set-ups, this is in fact a straight down the middle bullish bet -- this absolutely takes on directional stock risk, so let's be conscious of that before we see the results, because they are mind bending. 

Here are the results over the last two-years in Alphabet Inc: 
 

I know it seems absurd, but the trade has won 7 of the last 8 earnings pre-earnings cycles, for a 895% return. 

We can look at the last year as well: 
 

We're now looking at 377% returns on 4 winning trades and 0 losing trades. It's worth noting again that we are only talking about two-weeks of trading for each earnings release, so this 377% in just 8-weeks of total trading. 

For completeness, we include the results over the two most recent earnings events (6-months). 
 

That's 209% on 4-weeks of trading without once taking the risk of an actual earnings release. 

THE STOCK CHART 
We can look at Alphabet Inc's stock chart to see what's happening -- that is, to see the optimism (The blue "E" icons represent earnings). Note that the yellow arrows show the stock rise ahead of earnings, and we even box the times that the post earnings move was poor: 
 
GOOGLcharts_62317.PNG


What is so fascinating about this chart is that the stock does not necessarily follow through after earnings. We have boxed the times when GOOGL stock actually tanked after earnings -- but it has not upset the pattern of optimism for the next pre-earnings move. 

If you're wondering if this works for other mega tech names, the answer is yes. We will cover those for subscribers only in the coming days and combining them, that is, taking a position in more than one, alleviates the risk of a "coin flip" miss. That's the approach we want to take. 

Even further, all of the results we looked at were using a 50% stop loss -- that means if the calls that were purchased ever saw losses, we just closed the potion out and moved on. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
This is how people profit from the option market -- it's preparation, not luck. It's attention to detail rather than hope. To see how to do this for any stock and for any strategy, including covered calls, with just the click of a few buttons, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

The author has no position in Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) as of this writing. 

Go to the back-test link

 

Edited by Ophir Gottlieb
mistaken image

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

The Pattern in Facebook Stock Ahead of Earnings

FB_building.jpg


Date Published:  
Written by Ophir Gottlieb 

Lede 
This is a continuation of our discussion on Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL). 

There is a powerful pattern in Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) stock ahead of earnings that has meant a wonderful return in the option market. The strategy won't work forever, but for now it appears to be a momentum play. 

Preface 
As we discussed with Alphabet Inc, one of the least recognized yet most important phenomena surrounding this market run by the mega technology stocks is the amount of optimism that sets in the two weeks before an earnings announcement. 

That is, totally irrespective of whether the stocks have a history of beating earnings, in the two-weeks before of earnings, several of them tend to rally abruptly into the event. There has been a way to profit from this pattern without taking any actual earnings risk -- and it is very powerful in Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB). 

The Trade Before Earnings 
Let's look at buying a monthly call option in Facebook Inc two-weeks before earnings and selling the call before the earnings announcement. 

Here's the set-up in great clarity; again, note that the trade closes before earnings, so this trade does not make a bet on the result of the earnings result. 
 
setup_15_1_before.PNG


Now, unlike many of our other set-ups, this is in fact a straight down the middle bullish bet -- this absolutely takes on directional stock risk, so let's be conscious of that before we see the results, because they are mind bending. 

Here are the results over the last two-years in Alphabet Inc: 
 

The trade has won 6 of the last 8 earnings pre-earnings cycles -- so this isn't some silver bullet (6 wins, 2 losses). But, the trade has won 75% of the time, and the return has been a staggering 670%. 

The fascinating part here is that each winning trade averaged more twice as much as the losing trades, or in English, this trades wins 3 times more often it loses and the wins are twice as large as the losses, and that's how you find a trade with a 670% return. 

Note on Risk Reduction 
As a point of note, when we run this back-test using a limit gain of 30%, or in English, we close the position if it is ever up 30%, we avoid one of the losses, and this turns into a strategy that has won 7 of the last 8 earnings cycles: 
 

We note here that the Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) long call ahead of earnings also won 7 of the last 8 times and the losing quarter for GOOGL was not the same losing quarter for FB, so if these two were used together as a portfolio of pre-earnings calls, the combined strategy would have won all 16 times (eight quarters each). 

Checking More Time Periods 
Now we can look at just the last year as well (using no stops or limits): 
 

We're now looking at 324% returns on 4 winning trades and 0 losing trades. It's worth noting again that we are only talking about two-weeks of trading for each earnings release, so this 324% in just 8-weeks of total trading. 

For completeness, we include the results over the two most recent earnings events (6-months). 
 

That's 294% on 4-weeks of trading without once taking the risk of an actual earnings release. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
Bull markets have quirks, or personalities if you like. The personality of this bull is mega cap tech heavy and full of optimism before earnings -- irrespective of the actual earnings result. 

This is how people profit from the option market -- it's preparation, not luck. To see how to do this for any stock and for any strategy, including covered calls, with just the click of a few buttons, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work 

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

The author has no position in Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) as of this writing. 

Go to the back-test link

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Ophir Gottlieb  I did some back-testing on AMZN of a simple vertical call debit spread strategy with only a 6 day duration:  Long the ATM 50 delta call and Short the 20 delta.  It produces good results in all time frames -- if you avoid earnings.  Looking at the Excel spreadsheet it illustrates buying the spread on Friday and holding it until the following Friday (expiration).  I could see doing a small position on this every week as part of an overall portfolio trading program.  Thoughts?

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=rTU7NoCUoWmBICn2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
1 minute ago, NikTam said:

@Ophir Gottlieb  I did some back-testing on AMZN of a simple vertical call debit spread strategy with only a 6 day duration:  Long the ATM 50 delta call and Short the 20 delta.  It produces good results in all time frames -- if you avoid earnings.  Looking at the Excel spreadsheet it illustrates buying the spread on Friday and holding it until the following Friday (expiration).  I could see doing a small position on this every week as part of an overall portfolio trading program.  Thoughts?

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=rTU7NoCUoWmBICn2

So this is going to sound really weird, but it's actually against the rules for me to comment to one person, but I'm allowed to comment to a large group that isn't person specific. So, I can't really say anything other than some broad stokes.

 

1. Buying a call spread on a stock that goes up is generally a good idea, the question is whether it continues in the future.

2. This is a directional trade (bullish), which is fine, but just be aware that this is not a volatility scalp or timing pattern trade.

3. I generally, not specifically to this, like momentum trades. I have a pretty simple thought process which is that I like repeating a winning trade and I stop when it stops working. So, if I do a momo trade, and this is a momo trade, I know my last trade will be a loser -- that's fine, it's my exit signal. Until then, I may just let it ride until it stops -- why second guess? 

4. Momo trades are just part of a broader option portfolio which can also include direction free bets, much like Kim does here extremely well, or minimally directional bets that try to scalp patterns in time (as a TM member you can read all of these on the Discover Tab -- pre and post earnings patterns, that are just vaguely directional).

I hope that was helpful, NT, it's as specific as I feel comfortable with and of course, now important disclaimers are coming:

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
9 minutes ago, NikTam said:

@Ophir Gottlieb  I did some back-testing on AMZN of a simple vertical call debit spread strategy with only a 6 day duration:  Long the ATM 50 delta call and Short the 20 delta.  It produces good results in all time frames -- if you avoid earnings.  Looking at the Excel spreadsheet it illustrates buying the spread on Friday and holding it until the following Friday (expiration).  I could see doing a small position on this every week as part of an overall portfolio trading program.  Thoughts?

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=rTU7NoCUoWmBICn2

Well, that's basically just a very highly leveraged long position.  Certainly over the last 3 years that was a winning proposition.  Take another stock that tanked in that same timeframe though, and the leverage cuts the other way:

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=PsVOrdTRi1SORW9u

Making a trade like this indicates you are extremely bullish on AMZN go forward.

Instead of doing the trade because it worked in the past, I think you need to do it because you believe it will work in the future.  I am personally pretty optimistic about AMZN's performance, but not to the extent that I'd take a bet like that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Darcy MacDonald It's leveraged only because it's an option -- it's actually a hedged trade given the premium collected on the short leg (and the cap on profitability).  Yes, I am long-term bullish AMZN.  I see no reason not to be.  Systemic risk could be a factor -- but nothing indicating a general recession is apparent to me.  Position size is the critical decision in my view.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
28 minutes ago, Darcy MacDonald said:

Well, that's basically just a very highly leveraged long position.  Certainly over the last 3 years that was a winning proposition.  Take another stock that tanked in that same timeframe though, and the leverage cuts the other way:

http://tm.cmlviz.com/index.php?share_key=PsVOrdTRi1SORW9u

Making a trade like this indicates you are extremely bullish on AMZN go forward.

Instead of doing the trade because it worked in the past, I think you need to do it because you believe it will work in the future.  I am personally pretty optimistic about AMZN's performance, but not to the extent that I'd take a bet like that.

How is a 50/20 Delta call debit spread a "very highly leveraged long position"?

Edited by SBatch

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
24 minutes ago, SBatch said:

How is a 50/20 Delta call debit spread a "very highly leveraged long position"?

I just mean that it's comparable to buying the stock but with the extra leverage afforded by the option position.  

The trade depends entirely on a directional bet for the stock itself, so I think that's where the analysis lies, not as much the options position.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Just now, Darcy MacDonald said:

I just mean that it's comparable to buying the stock but with the extra leverage afforded by the option position.  

The trade depends entirely on a directional bet for the stock itself, so I think that's where the analysis lies, not as much the options position.

It is simply a directional option spread, this does not make it leveraged.  By definition a leveraged position is one that can lose more than the initial amount invested, which is clearly not possible here.  We only trade options with this service so I am confused by the comparison to owning the underlying.  Directional or not that comparison of options vs. the underlying could be made with regard to all of our trades.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
12 minutes ago, SBatch said:

By definition a leveraged position is one that can lose more than the initial amount invested, which is clearly not possible here. 

Right, but the other aspect of leverage is the fact that the gains or losses are magnified in comparison to the movement of the underlying.  Your position will move more than the stock, but in the same direction, that's all.

I'm comparing it to buying the stock only because I think the rationale for the trade is the same.  There must be some reason for believing AMZN will go up in the next 6 days or you wouldn't take this one.

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Just now, Darcy MacDonald said:

Right, but the other aspect of leverage is the fact that the gains or losses are magnified in comparison to the movement of the underlying.  Your position will move more than the stock, but in the same direction, that's all.

I'm comparing it to buying the stock only because I think the rationale for the trade is the same.  There must be some reason for believing AMZN will go up in the next 6 days or you wouldn't take this one.

 

 

I agree with this statement but that just makes it directional not leveraged.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
15 hours ago, NikTam said:

@cuegis by which I think you mean that given the bullish conviction the larger delta of the long position versus the smaller delta of the short position will maintain a profitable net value.  

Yes. All he is doing is, for whatever reason, deciding that a stock is going to go up (or down).

After that , it really is no longer an "options" trade.

You are just using options as a proxy for the stock.

If you just buy 10 .50 delta calls,then you bought 500 shares of stock.

If you bought 10 50 delta calls,and sold 10 20 delta calls, then you bought 300 shares of the stock.

It is a delta trade ONLY.

I wouldn't use Trade Machine during the times that I am doing my research for a strictly directional trade.

I would look at a chart.

The only time that the use of options becomes an advantage in a purely directional play is when you can sell other options to mostly neutralize as much time decay as possible.

Personally, for a strictly directional trade, I would most use verticals for that reason.

Because now you can get rid of all the other greeks from the picture, and keep it strictly a (Delta) directional trade, that is minimally effected by time decay or IV changes.

I have made money more consistently with delta neutral trades.

By , by a huge difference, I have made more "money" from successful directional trades. Like GILD this past 2 weeks.

You just have to weigh the greater risks that come with directional trading, and allocate much less money to them.

Because, even though the best ones can make 800%+++, the losers are in proportion to that.

Edited by cuegis

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

FN_logo_building.jpg
 

How to Trade Options Before Earnings in Fabrinet (NYSE:FN)

Date Published:  

This article can be seen in a video or as a full written article below the video. 
 

PREFACE 
Trading options in Fabrinet (NYSE:FN) using a short window before earnings are released has been a staggering winner over the last several years. 

This is it -- this is how people profit from the option market. Identifying strategies that are tightly risk controlled, take no stock direction risk and no earnings risk. Strategies that are immune from a bull or bear market. 

STORY 
Everyone knows that the day of an earnings announcement is a risky event for a stock. But the question every option trader, whether professional or amateur, has long asked is if there is a way to profit from this known implied volatility rise. It turns out, that over the long-run, for stocks with certain tendencies, the answer is actually, yes. 

 
Yes, there is a systematic way to trade this repeating phenomenon, without making a bet on earnings or stock direction.


THE SET UP 
What a trader wants to do is to see the results of buying an at the money straddle a couple of weeks before earnings, and then sell that straddle just before earnings. Here is the setup: 

 
setup_14_1_before.png


We are testing opening the position 14 days before earnings and then closing the position 1 day before earnings. This is not making any earnings bet. This is not making any stock direction bet. 

Once we apply that simple rule to our back-test, we run it on an at-the-money straddle: 

RETURNS 
If we did this long at-the-money straddle in Fabrinet (NYSE:FN) over the last three-years but only held it before earnings we get these results: 

 

That's a 162% return over the last three-years, with 9 winning trades and 3 losing trades. But, let's take a step toward risk reduction before we move forward. 

While we are looking at this same trade, let's also set a rule that if at any point in the two-week period the straddle loses 25% of its value, we just close it and wait for the next pre-earnings cycle. While we're at it, we will do the same with the upside -- that is, if at any time during the two-weeks the straddle goes up 25%, we take the profits and close the trade. 

For clarity, this is what we test: 

 
setup_2525_limit.PNG


And now we can see the results over the same three-year period: 
 

While we are taking 75% less risk, we are seeing about the same results -- we will continue down this risk adjusted path for the rest of this dossier. 

Digging Deeper 
Now we can see the results over the last two-years: 

 

That's a 126% return and 7 winning trades with 1 losing trade. Remember, this trade takes no stock direction risk and no earnings risk -- this is completely agnostic to a bull or bear market. 

Even further, that 126% actually came on just 16 weeks of trading (2-weeks per earnings cycle, 8 earnings cycles), which is over 400% annualized returns. 

Now we look at the last year: 

 

We see a 65.2% percent return on 3 winning trade and 1 losing trade. 

Finally, we can look at the last six-months: 

 

That's 40.1%, winning both of the last two pre-earnings trades. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
This is it -- this is how people profit from the option market. Identifying strategies that are tightly risk controlled, take no stock direction bets or earnings risk. It's preparation, not luck. 

To see how to do this for any stock we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work 

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Double Straddles: Advanced Earnings Option Trade in Amazon.com 

 

expert_2.jpg

 

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) : Advanced Earnings Option Trade

Date Published: 

PREFACE 
There is an advanced option trade in Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) before earnings that takes no stock direction risk, no earnings risk, and reduces even the volatility risk. The strategy has won more than 50% of the time, has returned 460% annualized returns, but has also shown a high win-rate of 75%.

This is it -- this is how people profit from the option market. Identifying strategies that don't rely on a bull or bear market. 

TRADE TIMING 
This is for the advanced option trader, just note that this has a few steps to it. First we start with the timing: 

We want to look at a very short window, specifically opening a trade six-days before an earnings announcement and closing it the day before. Here it is plainly: 

 

setup_6_1_earnings.PNG



So, to be clear -- this trade does not take on the risk of earnings, it closes before earnings. 

TRADE SET-UP 
With the timing set, we now construct the trade in with these rules: 

* Buy the at-the-money straddle with a 30-day expiration (or closest to it) 
* Sell an at-the-money straddle with a 7-day expiration (or closest to it) 
* Both of these straddles have expirations after earnings. 

Here's how this looks, plainly: 

 

setup_custom_ls_straddle.PNG



And here is the reasoning behind the trade, before we get to the results: 

TRADE REASONING AND RESULTS 
The idea is to own the straddle with a longer expiration and sell the straddle with the closer expiration to benefit from the time decay in the shorter-term options. It's a fine cut to make this work, but this trade does not take earnings risk, does not take stock direction risk and takes very little volatility risk. 

Now, here are the results of this trade in Amazon.com Inc over the last three-years: 

 

AMZN: Long & Short Straddle
 
% Wins: 75%
 
Wins: 9   Losses: 3
 
% Return:  90.8% 


While the set-up took a while to describe, the results are easy. We see a 90.8% return over the last , which was 12 earnings cycles. This option trade won 9 times and lost 3 times. 

Even further, each period of this trade is just six-days, so that 90.8% return is actually just 12 weeks of trading, and if we annualize that, it makes for a 460% return. 

Checking More Time Periods in Amazon.com Inc 
Now we can look at just the last year as well: 

 

AMZN: Long & Short Straddle
 
% Wins: 100%
 
Wins: 4   Losses: 0
 
% Return:  28.3% 


We're now looking at 28.3% returns, on 4 winning trades and 0 losing trades. It's worth noting again that we are only talking about six-days of trading for each earnings release, so this is 28.3% in just 4-weeks of total trading which annualizes to 430%. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
For the expert option trader, or the option trader that wants to take the next step in the evolution of trading, this is it. This is how people profit from the option market. 

To see how to do this for any stock we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
Tap Here to See the Tools at Work

Thanks for reading. 

Risk Disclosure 
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Advanced Earnings Option Trade in Alibaba Group Holding Limited
 
expert_2.jpg
 

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) : Advanced Earnings Option Trade

Date Published: 

PREFACE 
There is an advanced option trade in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) before earnings that takes no stock direction risk, no earnings risk, and reduces even the volatility risk. The strategy has for two-straight years and has returned 1,337% annualized returns.

This is it -- this is how people profit from the option market. Identifying strategies that don't rely on a bull or bear market. 

TRADE TIMING 
This is for the advanced option trader, just note that this has a few steps to it. First we start with the timing: 

We want to look at a very short window, specifically opening a trade six-days before an earnings announcement and closing it the day before. Here it is plainly: 

 
setup_6_1_earnings.PNG


So, to be clear -- this trade does not take on the risk of earnings, it closes before earnings. 
 

TRADE SET-UP 
With the timing set, we now construct the trade in with these rules: 

* Buy the at-the-money straddle with a 30-day expiration (or closest to it) 
* Sell an at-the-money straddle with a 7-day expiration (or closest to it) 
* Both of these straddles have expirations after earnings. 

Here's how this looks, plainly: 

 
setup_custom_ls_straddle.PNG


And here is the reasoning behind the trade, before we get to the results: 
 
 
TRADE REASONING AND RESULTS 
The idea is to own the straddle with a longer expiration and sell the straddle with the closer expiration to benefit from the time decay in the shorter-term options. It's a fine cut to make this work, but this trade does not take earnings risk, does not take stock direction risk and takes very little volatility risk. 

Now, here are the results of this trade in Alibaba Group Holding Limited over the last two-years: 

 
BABA: Long & Short Straddle
 
% Wins: 100%
 
Wins: 7   Losses: 0
 
% Return:  153.9% 

While the set-up took a while to describe, the results are easy. We see a 153.9% return over the last two-years, which was 7 earnings cycles. This option trade won 7 times and lost 0 times. 

Even further, each period of this trade is just six-days, so that 153.9% return is actually just 7 weeks of trading, and if we annualize that, it makes for a 1,337% return. 


WHAT HAPPENED 
Betting on a bull market to continue or relying on picking the right time to change sentiment can be very tricky. But the most advanced option trades side step those potential pitfalls by arranging an option trade that doesn't take any stock direction risk, earnings risk and even limited volatility risk. 

To see how to do this, and any other strategy, for any stock, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video:

Tap Here to See the Tools at Work

Thanks for reading.

Risk Disclosure
You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options.  Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.

 

Edited by Ophir Gottlieb

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ophir Gottlieb, I've read this whole thread and signed up to CML TradeMachine Pro service. The backtester seems to be quite interesting and helpful at the very least, and provides a quick way to backtest some simple ideas. I couple of questions:

Why custom strategies are limited to 4 legs only? I want to backtest a 6-leg strategy (basically an iron condor with some hedges builtin), and custom strategies currently does not allow this. Any chances the limit on number of legs to be increased in the future?

Is there a way to force a spread size to be expressed in dollars when adding a custom strategy? What I need is some combination of: "specify leg by delta (as custome strategies currently do)", and then offset strike price by X points. For example, Iron Condors are quite often designed like "Sell 10 delta PUTs and CALLs, and make wings 10 point wide". So, it would be very helpful if custom strategies allow to specify this explicitly.

 

P.S. Do I understand correctly that I won't be entitled for automatic an upgrade to CML TradeMachine Premium for the same $49/mo price, when it is released? Since I registered for CML TradeMachine Pro only yesterday (using some "limited offer" link for $49/mo).

 

Edited by Stanislav

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
12 minutes ago, Stanislav said:

Ophir Gottlieb, I've read this whole thread and signed up to CML TradeMachine Pro service. The backtester seems to be quite interesting and helpful at the very least, and provides a quick way to backtest some simple ideas. I couple of questions:

Why custom strategies are limited to 4 legs only? I want to backtest a 6-leg strategy (basically an iron condor with some hedges builtin), and custom strategies currently does not allow this. Any chances the limit on number of legs to be increased in the future?

Is there a way to force a spread size to be expressed in dollars when adding a custom strategy? What I need is some combination of: "specify leg by delta (as custome strategies currently do)", and then offset strike price by X points. For example, Iron Condors are quite often designed like "Sell 10 delta PUTs and CALLs, and make wings 10 point wide". So, it would be very helpful if custom strategies allow to specify this explicitly.

 

P.S. Do I understand correctly that I won't be entitled for automatic an upgrade to CML TradeMachine Premium for the same $49/mo price, when it is released? Since I registered for CML TradeMachine Pro only yesterday (using some "limited offer" link for $49/mo).

 

can you copy and paste that and send it to support@cmlviz.com ? Our support team is great.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

UPDATE
As of tomorrow (7-6-2017) before the opening bell, we are upgrading our risk calculations. The details follow below -- for those that prefer not to read the details and just want the "what changed?" part, here is the takeaway:

Quick Version

* Long only strategies are not affected.

* We are switching from RegT Maintenance Margin to  RegT SMA (Special Memorandum Account) based on feedback from members and the realities of margin calculations at brokerages and CBOE's best practices.

* For most short strategies, including credit spreads, the net effect is that the amount risked number decreases, causing the percentage returns to become more positive or more negative, depending on if they started out as positive or negative to begin with.

* For covered calls, the stock position margin actually rises, so this strategy will see an increased amount risked, and subsequent decrease in positive or negative returns.


DETAILS
We have posted details in a full blown example file on the Discover Tab. Here is the link, and below we paste the actual content.


Examples of 'Amount Risked' For Option Strategies

All strategies shown use SBUX on Jan 4, 2016.
The stock closed at $58.26.
All option strategies use either 50 delta or 25 delta options.
Executions are mid market, commissions are set to $0.

 

Long Call

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Risked = 100 * (1.94) = $194 + Commissions 

 

Long Put

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Put $2.36 1x 
Risked = 100 * (2.36) = $2.36 + Commissions 


Long Covered Call

Long SBUX Stock $58.26 100x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Risked = 100 * (50% * 58.26 - 1.94) = $2,719 + Commissions 


Long Call Spread

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 62 Call $0.62 1x 
Risked = 100 * (1.94-0.62) = $132 + Commissions

 

Long Put Spread

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Put $2.36 1x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 62 Put $0.98 1x 
Risked = 100 * (2.36-0.98) = $138 + Commissions


Long 50 Delta Straddle

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Put $2.36 1x 
Risked = 100 * (1.94+2.36) = $430 + Commissions

 

Long 50-25 Delta Strangle

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Long SBUX Feb5`16 54.5 Put $0.98 1x 
Risked = 100 * (1.94+0.98) = $292 + Commissions


Long 50 / 25 Condor

Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 62 Call $0.62 1x 
Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Put $2.36 1x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 62 Put $0.98 1x 
Risked = 100 * (1.94-0.62+2.36-0.98) = $270 + Commissions


Short 50 delta Call

Short SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Risked = 100 * ( 20% * 58.26 - 0.24{out_of_money_amount}) = $1141.20 + Commissions


Short 25 delta Call

Short SBUX Feb5`16 62 Call $0.62 1x 
Risked = 100 * Max(10% * 58.26, 20% * 58.26 - out_of_money_distance) = $971.20 + Commissions
Risked = 100 * (20% * 58.26 - 3.74) = 791.20

 

Short 5 delta Call

Short SBUX Feb5`16 67 Call $0.10 1x 
Risked = 100 * Max(10% * 58.26, 20% * 58.26 - out_of_money_distance) = $971.20 + Commissions
Risked = 100 * (20% * 58.26 - 8.74) = 291.20 
LESS Than 10% of stock, so: 10% * 58.26 * 100 = $582.60

 

Short 25 delta Put

Short SBUX Feb5`16 54.5 Put $0.98 1x 
Risked = 100 * Max(10% * 58.26, 20% * 58.26 - out_of_money_distance) = $971.20 + Commissions
Risked = 100 * (20% * 58.26 - 3.76) = 789.20

 

Short Covered Call

Short SBUX Stock 2016-01-04 $58.26 100x 
Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Risked = 100 * (50% * 58.26 + 1.94) = $2,719 + Commission

 

Short Call Spread

Long 25 delta Call 
Short 50 delta Call 
Long SBUX Feb5`16 62 Call $0.62 1x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Call $1.94 1x 
Risked = 100 * (strike_distance(62-58.5) - premium_diff(1.94-0.62)) 
100 * (3.5 - 1.32) = $218


Short Put Spread

Long 25 delta Put 
Short 50 delta Put 
Long SBUX Feb5`16 58.5 Put $2.36 1x 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 54.5 Put $0.98 1x 
Risked = 100 * (strike_distance(58.5-54.5) - premium_diff(2.36-0.98)) 
100 * (4 - 1.38) = $262


Short 25 delta Strangle

Short 25 delta Call 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 62 Call $0.62 1x 
CallRisked = 100 * Max(10% * 58.26, 20% * 58.26 - out_of_money_distance) = $971.20 
CallRisked = 100 * (20% * 58.26 - 3.74) = 791.20 
Short 25 delta Put 
Short SBUX Feb5`16 54.5 Put $0.98 1x 
PutRisked = 100 * Max(10% * 58.26, 20% * 58.26 - out_of_money_distance) = $971.20 
PutRisked = 100 * (20% * 58.26 - 3.76) = 789.20 
Risked = Max 789.20 and 791.20 
Risked = 791.2 + Commissions


Long 25 / 25 Risk Reversal

Long Call: $62 
Short Put: $789 
Combined: $851 + Commissions

 

Short 25 / 25 Risk Reversal

Short Call: $791 
Long Put: $98 
Combined: $889 + Commissions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy and free!


Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.


Sign In Now

  • Similar Content

    • By Ophir Gottlieb
      How to Profit from Trading Options in Autodesk Inc Right After Earnings
       


      Date Published: 2017-05-18 
      Written by Ophir Gottlieb 

      LEDE 
      While Autodesk Inc (NASDAQ:ADSK) just crushed earnings again, sending shares soaring in the after hours trade, one option trade after earnings has been a consistent winner. It takes no earnings risk, little stock direction risk and over the last year has never lost while returning over 160% annualized returns. 

      The Trade After the Excitement 
      While most of the focus is on the actual earnings move for a stock, that's the distraction when it comes to the option market. For Autodesk Inc, irrespective of whether the earnings move was up or down, if we waited one-day after the stock move from earnings, and then sold an out of the money put spread, the results were very strong. 

      We can examine this, objectively, with a custom option back-test. Here is our earnings set-up: 
       


      Rules 
      * Open short put spread 1 day after earnings 
      * Close short put spread 29 days later 
      * Use the option that is closest to but greater than 30-days away from expiration 

      Here are the results over the last year: 
       


      That's a 47.3% return, with 4 winning trades and 0 losing trades. The total holding period was less than 4 full months, meaning the annualized return was over 160%. No earnings risk was taken -- this is not a coin flip over earnings. 

      The Logic 
      This strategy works beautifully in many companies where heavy stock volume follows the earnings release. The logic behind this trade follows a narrative that even after a bad earnings release, if we wait a day after, we find the stock at a point of equilibrium. 

      If it gapped down -- that gap is over. If it beat earnings, the downside move is already likely muted. Here's how this strategy has done over the last 6-months: 
       


      That's a 21.3% return, on 2 winning trades and 0 losing trades. Since this is a total of a two-month holding period, that 21.3% is actually over 120% annualized. 

      If you're curious, yes, this also produced positive returns over the last 3-years. Here are those results. 
       


      Now we can find some comfort in this approach where is shows 9 winning trades and just 2 losing trades over the last three-years. 

      WHAT HAPPENED 
      There are patterns to stock behaviors before and after earnings and those patterns reveal opportunities in the option market, without taking the actual risk of earnings. You can find them, stock by stock, Apple, Google, Netflix and of course Autodesk Inc are just a handful of examples. There has been edge here with this strategy. 

      To see how to do this for any stock and for any strategy with just the click of a few buttons, we welcome you to watch this quick demonstration video: 
      Tap Here to See the Tools at Work 

      Thanks for reading. 

      Risk Disclosure 
      You should read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. 

      Past performance is not an indication of future results. 

      Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. 

      Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition. 

      The author has no position in Autodesk Inc (NASDAQ:ADSK) as of this writing. 

      Back-test Link
       
       
       
       
       
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.