Lower Opening Ahead
Futures are indicated lower ahead of today’s open
as investors digest yesterday’s victory for the bulls. Currently DJI futures are
31.0 lower, S&P futures are down about 4.70 points, and the Nasdaq 100 futures
are down 11.50 on the offer side. In Europe, the FTSE 100 is off by 14.90 points
or .36%, the DAX is down 3.65 points or .11%, and the CAC40 is down 8.55 points
or .26%. In Asia, the Nikkei rose 104.50 points or 1.21%, and the Hang Seng
gained 61.78 points or .62%.
Interest rate futures are higher after yesterday’s beating, the dollar is lower
against the major foreign currencies, crude is slightly higher, as is gold.
Nothing on the docket as far as economic reports today, so it should be a
technical trade. The market sits in great shape technically as it took out
several key resistance levels on heavy volume. Next week is a holiday week, and
there is a good chance that some profit-taking will develop ahead of what will
likely be a very slow week.
I think we need to sit back and watch for the test of the resistance levels that
were taken out yesterday, we should get a check of those levels soon, and take a
shot from the long side there with tight stops.
Volatility
Volatility got crunched again today. The VIX lost 1.29 to 27.37, the
VXN fell .12 to 44.70, but the QQV actually rose .83 to 38.59 – I’m sure it will
get over it soon.
Update:Â (11/21/02)
WAGÂ — Oddly enough, we took profits on one of our bearish positions
today (and this stock must be a real dog to have gone down on a day like today).
We sold half of our WAG January 30/35 put spreads at $3.00, we are working the
balance at $4.00.
New Recommendations
BGEN — Sell half of the January 40/45 call spreads at $3.50 (or buy
the January 40/45 put spread at $1.45).
HAL — Sell the Halliburton January 15 buy-write at $14.50 to close.
SMH –Â Suspend the December 30 call strategy until we see the lay of the
land today!
Working Orders (Old Recommendations)
CIEN — Buy the January 2.5 puts at $.05 to close.
DIA — Buy the January 80/84/88/92 call condor at $1.20 or better (25%).
WAG — Sell  the remaining January 30/35 put spreads at $4.00 to close.
QQQ — Subscribers short the January 23/26 call spread at $1.50 (25%), leave an
order in the market to purchase the spread at $1.50 to close the 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
None.
Short-term
Call Positions
None.
Call Spread Positions
BGEN — Long the January 40/45 call spread at $1.25 (50%).
DIA — Long the December 80/84/86/90 call condor at $1.20 (25%).
QQQ — Short the January 23/26 call spread at $1.50 (25%).
Put Positions
None.
Put Spread Positions
BAC — Long the January 60/70 put spread at $2.90 (25%).
KSS — Long the January 50/60 put spread at $2.475(50%).
WAG — Long the January 30/35 put spread at $1.00 (50%).
Stops
KSS — Two consecutive closes
over $74.00.
|
- Options trading involves substantial risk and
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
should consult with a tax advisor as to how taxes may affect the outcome of
contemplated options transactions.
- Supporting documentation for claims,
comparisons, recommendations, statistics or other technical data will be
furnished upon request. One or more of the contributors to these
commentaries may have a position in one or more of the securities mentioned.
- 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
strategies do not eliminate risk and involve multiple commissions.
- Note: All individuals must have read the ODD
carefully before trading options. To obtain the document, click on the OCC
link: https://www.theocc.com/publications/risks/riskchap1.jsp