Long-term options (or Long Term-Equity AnticiPations or LEAPs as they are known within the industry) are interesting for more than the fact that they provide a demonstrative example of the option industry’s love affair with acronyms. LEAPs are long-term options with expirations that stretch beyond the nine month time line...
Calendar spreads offer an interesting way to play fourth quarter earnings that will heat up in February. It will look even more attractive in February should the US come to some resolution on the fiscal cliff that keeps volatility low. The calendar spread involves the purchase of a longer term option – either calls or...
By the third week in November, US volatility futures were trading in backwardation. That is longer term volatility futures expiring in January and February were trading at lower values than the cash market. For traders who look to volatility as a way to gauge investor sentiment, that volatility skew can enhance one’s...
Avoiding the madness of crowds Usually in this space I discuss specifics related to an option strategy one might use based on a view of the underlying stock, or provide an educational gem related to option pricing, strategy or mechanics. This week I want to step back and address a broader issue related to portfolio building....
In October 2010 I penned the following comments: there has “never” been a market anywhere anytime that didn’t revel in the prospect of easy money! Which is to say: one should never fight the Fed. At that time, most of the industrialized world was engaging in massive stimulus programs designed to keep economies from...
Well its official… the US did not fall off a cliff as a result of the recent Presidential election. Despite the socialist rhetoric that preceded the election and the subsequent post-election ostentatious victory claims from both side of the aisle (note: Republicans point to their victory in Congress as evidence that the...
The options market is unique in the sense that it is all about risk modification. Traders can use options to leverage their risk profile or reduce variability within their portfolio. It all comes down to the quantity of options being employed and the strategy being implemented. In my experience traders have little understanding...
As I see it there are three major and seemingly conflicting factors at play in the financial markets. The domestic macro issues are of course, front and center. In the US, there is uncertainty as to who will win the presidential election and what will that means for consumers, investors, the fiscal cliff and the inner workings...
The great American humorist Will Rogers was once asked to explain his views on the stock market. His answer: “You buy a stock because it is going up. If it doesn’t go up, don’t buy it.” As was so typical of Mr. Rogers his answer was simple yet contained a hint of truth. We do buy stocks because we think we will be able...
Global markets appear to have hit a wall on the upside. And with third quarter earnings expected to reinforce the position that growth is slowing, the markets may well remain in neutral through the end of the year. And perhaps longer if President Obama gets re-elected and carries through with his “tax-the-rich” strategy! On...