NaughtyPines

TRADE IDEA: X FEB/APR 15/19 UPWARD CALL DIAGONAL

Long
NaughtyPines Updated   
NYSE:X   United States Steel Corporation
Metrics:

Max Profit on Setup: $108
Max Loss/Buying Power Effect on Setup: $292
Break Even vs. Spot: 17.92 vs. 18.25
Debit Paid to Spread Width Ratio: 73%
Delta: 30.35
Theta: .82

Notes: With high implied volatility rank/30-day implied (82/67) and fairly long-term weakness, putting on some bullish assumption here without hanging a ton of buying power out there if it goes south with the flexibility to work the setup long-term as a cost basis reduction play or synthetic covered call with the option to exercise the back month long if things go my way.

Other Possible Plays:

Short Strangle/Straddle: Earnings are 31 days out, so you may want to consider straight nondirectional premium selling closer to the announcement instead: the February 15th 16/21 short strangle is currently paying 1.39 with a 50% max metric of .69; the 18 short straddle in the same cycle: 3.26 with a 25% max metric of .82.

Iron Condor/Fly: The February 15th 13/16/20/23 is paying 1.15 (greater than one-third the width of the wings); the 13/18/18/23 fly, 2.73 (greater than one-fourth the width of the longs).

Short Put: If you're into "wheeling" (short put, acquire, cover), the February 18 short put is paying 1.50 in the February cycle a cost basis of 16.50 if assigned on the 18's, an 8.3% discount over current price.
Trade active:
Filled for 2.91 on the diagonal.
Trade closed: target reached:
Closed for 3.46 (50% max), .55 ($55) profit/contract; 18.9% ROC.
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