The SPX volatility so far this year shows some uncertainty over 'fair value'. Based on 2018 earnings estimates from Factset of 160 earnings/share for the SPX, if we divide 160 by the current SPX price the chart reflects what's known as the 'earnings yield'. Shown inversely it is known as the forward P/E ratio. So far this year the SPX earnings yield has...
Bought two lots of SLV at 15.74 and sold June 16 calls for 38 ea (45 delta strike). The IV was >20% today. The position break even is reduced to 15.36 with a 4% max profit on the break even cost. At 60 days to expiry, this yields 25% at an annualized rate. Ideally the cost basis on the position can be further reduced after June with additional calls sold...
LIBOR, the rate banks charge to borrow from each other, is a key measure of short-term borrowing costs that often serves as a gauge of financial distress. It's estimated that 50 trillion of assets are pegged to the LIBOR rate and lately it's been rising fast. Certainly a rise in LIBOR can be attributed to increases in the Fed Funds rate. But is that all, or...
With the increased volatility this year after such a long period without any significant declines has got some wondering if the market has peaked, or even about to crash. To get a better idea of what’s going on ‘under the hood’, we can study the high yield ‘junk credit’ market. High yield is also known as ‘junk credit’ for its higher risk of default and being...
This chart shows the ML investment grade corporate bond index yield vs the trailing SPX earnings yield (E/P ratio). From 2004-2007 the investment grade bond index and SPX earnings yield appear balanced near equal valuation. The red box from 2007 to 2009 marks the peak of the market to 2009 when the SPX sunk to recession lows. Note the following period of QE when...
To buy or not to buy at the all time high? The cryptocurrency world is full of mania, hype and volatility. The latest greatest token gets pumped until dumped. And for the past few years, fortune favors the brave who continue to HODL for the long term. But just how volatile? We can look at the measure of 30 day historic volatility using an chart study...
In May I'd sold a covered call on PFE for debt of 32.50 (expired). I'd also had 1 lot from a year ago at 34.76. (Adjusted cost basis for 2 lots @ 33.63 ) I sold 32/34 Sep strangle for 50c before earnings for break-evens at 31.50 & 34.50. Today's current 1SD range by Sep expiry is 32-35, highlighted orange above. Possible outcomes: 1) Ideally the stock will...
SOLD -1 GILD 100 17 NOV 17 90 CALL @1.00 Adjusted Cost Basis $87.70 Just a few hours ago I didn't see any chance of turning a profit on this investment any time soon. Unexpectedly the stock rallied over 7% today (now up 25% off lows) and above the average year end analyst target. Expected Outcomes: - With selling off the 'unlimited upside', if GILD is above...
The day after earnings, IVR remained high around 58%, IV 21.7 Sold the Sep 15 145/170 for 1.70 credit (approximately the 16delta / 1SD range) Ideally I can manage this for an early profit at $85 or less. With luck it'll work as smoothly as the last time where it only took a couple weeks to reach 50% of max profit.
Sold the OCT 20 30/32, ~ 30 deltas, 58 days, @ 40% IV Rank now, (I missed my chance selling when the IV was higher before earnings ) I'm sitting on 3 lots of stock here with 31.64 cost basis. I could have just sold the 32 call against my stock position, but it seems to make more sense to sell the strangle as it brings in more premium and both the call & put...
This covered call play in HPQ is partially an earnings play as well as longer term investment into October. HPQ reports earnings tomorrow after the bell, and currently has an inflated IV rank of 69%, IV 32.9% At the moment, the expected move is +/- 0.9 or 4.7%. Most of the previous 8 earnings reports the stock moved a wider range than this. (Half gaining and...
On August 10, I sold the 37/42 Sep 15 strangle in XRT, about 19 delta strikes for 0.65. 80% IV Rank and 26.6% IV. The following week I closed the 42 call at 5c for no fee. The 37 put remains, and the share price looks like a good spot for it to bounce upward from here. Today the XRT is up the greatest % of the sector SPDR ETFs as investors do some...
WMT completed a head and shoulder pattern without any substantial pullback in July. WMT is currently at the average analysts 12 months target of $81. However, according to Trefis and CFRA, the fair value of WMT is approximately 5% to 7% lower. A meaningful pullback of 10% to the 200 day moving average would not be unreasonable should investors be displeased with...
The bear call credit spread strategy gives a decent probability of profit, defined risk, and expresses a bearish opinion that the underlying will move lower. The IVR on OIH reached above 70% and July 12 with a bearish opinion I sold the 25/26 call spread, 2 contracts @ 36 credit ea. The $25.36 break even was quickly tested the following days, but...
I acquired 2 lots of INTC from selling the 35 & 36 covered calls back in June (the calls expired). With call premium this was a 34.66 cost basis on 2 lots of INTC On Jul 27 for playing earnings, I sold the 35 straddle for 166 credit, for breakevens at 33.34 & 36.66 1 lot of stock was called away at 35 yesterday right at the breakeven. (Costs another $15 for...
T stock has earnings July 25 after the bell and the current implied volatility is inflated. Can current stock owners profit from selling premium before earnings? What if the investor is willing to acquire more shares if the stock falls to the put strike and willing to sell shares held if the stock price rises to the call strike? Last price of of 36.52 Implied...
With the May 7 French election this Sunday the IV rank on FEZ today was decent at 46%. A 36/39/42 iron fly on June 16 expiry brought in $155 credit and $145 max loss. Breakevens at 37.45 and 40.55. By Monday morning I expect the IV to deflate quickly. After the first election round the IV in FEZ deflated 10 points when markets opened the next day. I'll...
The 123 at-the-money straddle for GLD on the May19 expiry was $2.22+$2.52=$4.74 at the close of Thursday's trading. The options market implies a 1 standard deviation range (68% probability) of approximately 118.26 - 127.74. The 16 delta option strikes are approximately 118 & 131 (slightly higher on the call strike). I see some resistance on GLD at 124.40...