Lower Open Ahead
Based on the way it petered out at the close, it is not surprising that
yesterday’s rally has evaporated overnight. New 19-year lows in Japan and
estimate cuts for
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BBY |
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PowerRating),
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GE |
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PowerRating) are weighing on the market. Currently,
DJI futures are 84.0 lower, S&P futures are 10.10 lower, and the Nasdaq 100
futures are 7.50 lower. In Europe, the FTSE 100 is unchanged, the DAX is now
86.52 points, or 3.30%, lower (this basket case of a market needs to be
watched carefully because the next crisis might be developing here) and the
CAC 40 is 43.52 points, or 1.62%, lower. In Asia, renewed selling of the Nikkei
has led it to 19-year lows, closing down 169.56 points, or 1.95%, and the Hang
Seng closed basically unchanged. Interest rate futures are higher at the moment,
the dollar is lower against most major foreign currencies, crude oil
futures are about $.07 better, and gold futures are slightly higher.
The bear market has quickly reasserted itself, but we are still looking to take
further profits on this decline as we feel that this leg down may end soon.
Whether it ends with a bang or a whimper remains to be seen. It is, however, not
yet time for bottom fishing.
Update: (10/08/02)
Nothing.
New Recommendations
None.
Working Orders (Old Recommendations)
BAC — Sell half of the January 50/60 put spread at $5.00 (or buy the
January 50/60 call spread at $4.95 — an equivalent trade).
Recap of open trades
Long-term
Reverse Collars
CIEN — Long the January 2.5/5 reverse collar at
$.40 (25%).
Buy-writes
HAL — Long the January 15 buy-write at $12.05 (100%).
Proxy buy-writes
DYN — Long the January 15 calls at $3.20 — left over from proxy buy-write
(50%). Left for dead.
Complex Strategies
None.
Directional Positions
BAC — Long the January 50/60 put spread
at an average price of $2.50 (75%).
IBM — Long the January 50/60 put spread at $2.00 (25%). Sold half at
$4.00 on 10 /04/02.
Short-term
Call Positions
CCU — Long the January 40 calls at $2.00 (50%).
Call Spread Positions
None.
Put Positions
None.
Spread Positions
MMM — Long the October 90/100/110 put butterfly at $1.45 (25%).
Stops
BAC — $67.00, close only.
IBM — $65.00, close only.
MMM butterfly — no stop.
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is not suitable for all Investors. - Also note that spread strategies involve
multiple commissions and are not risk-free. Most spreads must be done in a
margin account.
- Because of the importance of tax
considerations to all options transactions, the investor considering options
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contemplated options transactions.
- Supporting documentation for claims,
comparisons, recommendations, statistics or other technical data will be
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- It is important to note that the options
strategies discussed herein are not suitable to all investors. Options are
complex investment tools and involve substantial risk. Moreover spreading
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