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8/15/2008 7:59:33 PM
Summary of Position For August
We entered a half Aug SPX 1170/1160 Put Option Spread on July 22 and
received a premium of $100 per spread. Then on July 25 we entered the other half position
in an Aug SPX 1185/1175 Put Option Spread and received a premium of $120 per
spread.
The combined total of this equates to a net return of $107.72 per $1,000 of
margin used or 10.77% after commissions for 4 weeks in the position
(using Interactive Brokers commission rates). The return before commissions
was 11%. The official CBOE settlement price for the August SPX options
was 1294.49.
Current Position:
On August 15 we sold a half position in an SPX Sep 1395(SXYIS)/1405(SXZIA)
Call Option Spread for a net credit of $0.60. (This was done through
Interactive Brokers, The auto trades didn't get a fill on this occasion)
The premium received is $60 per $1,000 of margin required per spread.
The system remains in Buy mode.
SPX Chart - Bigger Picture

We're at another interesting juncture in the market. The underlying technicals
are quietly confident of a continued rally although the candle posted for the
week is one of indecision. We could be entering a period of consolidation for
the next few months, where we go sidayways between 1325 and 1250.
SPX Chart - Shorter Picture

In the shorter term, we didn't quite make it to 1320 this week, 1313 was the
top on Monday, but overall it was a sluggish week and more of a consolidation
of the moves higher we've had over the last couple weeks.
The mini uptrend that started a month ago remains intact, but we're also at
some overhead resistance and quite frankly, even if the market does get above
1300, the 1325 region poses substantial resistance.
Today's action was very subdued for an options expiry day, but we are in the
middle of summer so maybe that was a factor.
For next week a break above 1300 should take us to the 1325 region, failing
that we'll test the trend line at 1275 before making another advance. If 1275
fails then the 1250 mark becomes likely. Overall though, the bias remains up
in the short term but the triangle pattern above shows a lack of conviction,
so we need to be wary.
For next week, support is 1280 - 1260 and resistance is 1305 - 1325.
Finally, I'll reassess which position to enter for Monday and issue an email
on Sunday evening.
Just for a laugh, the quote this week is from Bob Newhart, "It's getting harder
and harder to differentiate between schizophrenics and people talking on a
cell phone. It still brings me up short to walk by somebody who appears to
be talking to themselves."
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