K. Miller

Alerts! And more Alerts! I trade from Indonesia on IB. I use thinkorswim for my alerts since their platform is easier. The problem is im learning to sleep through the standard android message sound. I need an app that can monitor an email and make a different and louder alert sound. Any suggestions? On the IB issue, I'm 99% sure my account is through IB US, although I usually use their HK server for performance. There is no IB Indonesia, but they do allow international customers, unlike ThinkorSwim.

Being able to learn from these less than spectacular trades is what makes a successful trader. Bad traders will keep doubling down and blow their account. Good traders take the loss and walk away. I still have trouble with that sometimes, but it is getting better.

I bought some yesterday, since I agreed with your view of a likely bottom or pause point. Nice 1 day return, but i'm still holding.

Some of the trades are easier with a margin account, which will not be your IRA, otherwise both accounts are fine to use. I tend to keep the earnings trades in one account, but do some of the condors and other trades in another that has cheaper commissions. Since all the trades are pretty short term, there might be some tax implications, always a moving target with our current government.

Risk/Margin requirements?

I remember all the comments on any article mentioning Apple saying it will never go down, based on PE, earnings growth, or whatever. Any time you start to hear that something just cannot go down, start looking for a spot to short.

Thats what I was thinking, makes sense on some stocks like AAPL, but on SPY, seems like a good idea mostly for the broker.

You could buy something like the Oct 470 call, and either do a call spread (sell the 480 or other otm strike) to reduce cost, or do Kim's rent a option, sell near term otm options against the call. (sell the Mar 1 465 or 470 call) and roll those forward each week. The risk to the first is the stock never moves, and the options expire worthless, costing your premium. In the case of the second is a sudden move past your strike, making the option your short increase in value far faster than your long dated option, as well as requiring more capital.

Ah, I restarted the program 5 times, clearing my java and everything! Ah well at least its not just me. TWS really hates it when I kick on my VPN and other network wonkiness, but I guess thats not the problem this time.

You might want to edit the title of the thread, so we do not wonder if your marketing for Dior On the other hand, your question is very interesting. I saw on amazon there where several times a "last" trade combo that would have met my price, but no fill on my end. This could be a volume issue of course, but it happened more than once, making me wonder if we are doing the best using "smart" routing, as options guru Augen speculates against.

When everyone who wants to own the stock does, there is only one direction to move.....

Numbers will tell for developers, its as simple as that. I read the article, but the negative comments at the end seemed equally as well informed. I think the only safe bet on apple is that it will move, stay non-directional!

The funny part is Apple has been through this cycle already. Amazing what one visionary can do for a company.

Sounds like some interesting reading for those hard to sleep nights! Thanks!

I'm in what's essentially the same trade. I closed my 92.5 November short call the other day when it was at $.05, figuring it would not get any lower anyway. Is that a good idea, or is it better to hold it until time to roll? My assumption was that XOM get some resistance at 90, and the call would increase, so it was better to sell early.

I have tested XOM for 6 months so far. Most months where profitable, but their was a pretty heavy large loss on a major stock surge during a week. The put became worthless but the call lost around 400%. However, this is something that can probably be adjusted a little. In order to generate decent returns, the strikes where always just out of the money, or at most 1 strike away.

Unrealized are for trades in the green, (or red for losses) which you have not yet closed. IB bases this on last trade price I believe.

I think most of the movement is supposed to be late in the session Friday, when the weekend time decay gets priced in to the options.

I will cover amzn and nflx. AAPL -- Chirs AMZN - Keith CSTR EOG GOOG GLD -- Chris LNKD -- Chris LULU -- Donald MA (slippage may be too high here) MNST NFLX - Keith PCLN SINA VMW YELP--Donald

I would go with IB, they are pretty global. I see commercials for them all the time here in Indonesia. My account is US based though, as I have a US address. I just wish I could only pay the Indonesian tax rate.

Only one point I would argue, properly sized, trading options is not any riskier than going long or short a stock. Its like hunting with a high powered rifle rather than a bow and arrow. Both can shoot the game, one much more efficiently. Used carelessly, both can be very dangerous. The key point is understanding the risks, and managing them. Most of the strategies pursued here are fairly low risk, but not immune. Especially if you accidentally hold through earnings, that will either make you really happy or really sad

Etrade would not let me do those on a L2 options account. IB does not seem to mind however.

Actually they set up an account pretty damn quick with me. The hard part was getting my old brokerage to cough up the money!