The current portfolio holds several long positions that are working very nicely. This includes TBT, RIMM, AAPL, V, LVS, LPX, MCO, YUM, C, YRCW, ZION, LEAP and AMLN. However, I am also looking at SPY just inching to breakout above 52-week high and VIX at all time low. This concerns me a bit as I believe the market is once again getting too complacent. There is a possibility that SPY could have a double top formation here.
I want to take out a small insurance policy through following SPY butterfly spread:
- Buy to open 1x April $104 puts - Sell to open 2x April $109 puts - Buy to open 1x April $114 puts
I fully expect the trade to expire worthless and lose money. But, having this can at least assure me a good night sleep. I just filled the order for $0.90 debit.
I am reluctant to initiate any new long positions with S&P near 1150. Though I like CTXS, MU, ETN, NUVA, RF and a few others. I want to see high volume breakout of S&P above 1150 before I jump in.
I have Masters in Business (Accounting and Finance 2003) from Michigan State University. I have been trading the market since 1998. Prior to picking up trading as a full-time career in 2008, I was a management consultant at Alvarez & Marsal and Conway MacKenzie for four years. I provided turnaround, crisis management and restructuring services to financially distressed firms. Prior to working in turnaround, I worked in Audit & Assurance at Deloitte & Touche for two years. Trading in the market has always remained my side business ever since I started college. 90% of the time, I trade through options. I love volatility skews and positive Theta plays. While I make a lot of directional bets, in general my favorites are to take advantage of high implied volatilities through calendar or butterfly spreads and vertical credit spreads. I never buy straight calls or puts and I do a lot of exotic multi-leg option trades.