I realize that we already have plenty of threads where people post their trades, but I feel like I also need to do this to learn how to trade. These are not paper trades. I will be using real money. Any advice/comments/suggestions always welcome. So, I'll be following a few rules. I'll add as I learn more about myself.
1. If a trade shows a loss of 20% or more, it will be closed
2. No more than 10% of my portfolio on any trade.
3. I will trade based on my vision of where the market is going i.e. it will be directional bets to a certain extent using mainly delta neutral strategies.
4. No naked positions, period.
5. No adjustments. If a trade is failing, I sell.
So, let's start!
I placed two trades today. I am bullish on both.
1. SPX JUL 1300/1355/1405 butterfly for 18.20
First and foremost, I don't use technical analysis. My directional bias will be based on my own analysis. In my opinion, virtually all negative news has been factored into the stock market, except for cataclysmic events. The only cataclysmic risk I can see will be coming from Europe, which won't be happening in the next few months. Furthermore, the spanish 10 year is trading at 6.38%, which is much better than the 7%+ just a few days ago. Having said that, I also don't see any catalyst that will cause the stock market to soar. Therefore, a 1300/1355/1405 fly seems reasonable. The S&P was trading at approximately 1330 when I placed my trade.
2. FB Jul 30/35/40 butterfly for 1.95
Facebook is heading back to its IPO level pretty soon. After I pulled the trigger, I felt that I would have felt more comfortable with the middle strike at 37 instead of 35 (of course the wings would have to be adjusted as well).
Now, why did I choose the butterfly spread? Volatility will be coming down. Vix is at 18.11, and it will fall further. Furthermore, I like the fact that butterfly spreads will allow me to be wrong to a degree.
So, just two trades for now. I'll be holding these hopefully for a week or two. I'm not going to "leg". I read somewhere that very few traders are successful at legging.
1. If a trade shows a loss of 20% or more, it will be closed
2. No more than 10% of my portfolio on any trade.
3. I will trade based on my vision of where the market is going i.e. it will be directional bets to a certain extent using mainly delta neutral strategies.
4. No naked positions, period.
5. No adjustments. If a trade is failing, I sell.
So, let's start!
I placed two trades today. I am bullish on both.
1. SPX JUL 1300/1355/1405 butterfly for 18.20
First and foremost, I don't use technical analysis. My directional bias will be based on my own analysis. In my opinion, virtually all negative news has been factored into the stock market, except for cataclysmic events. The only cataclysmic risk I can see will be coming from Europe, which won't be happening in the next few months. Furthermore, the spanish 10 year is trading at 6.38%, which is much better than the 7%+ just a few days ago. Having said that, I also don't see any catalyst that will cause the stock market to soar. Therefore, a 1300/1355/1405 fly seems reasonable. The S&P was trading at approximately 1330 when I placed my trade.
2. FB Jul 30/35/40 butterfly for 1.95
Facebook is heading back to its IPO level pretty soon. After I pulled the trigger, I felt that I would have felt more comfortable with the middle strike at 37 instead of 35 (of course the wings would have to be adjusted as well).
Now, why did I choose the butterfly spread? Volatility will be coming down. Vix is at 18.11, and it will fall further. Furthermore, I like the fact that butterfly spreads will allow me to be wrong to a degree.
So, just two trades for now. I'll be holding these hopefully for a week or two. I'm not going to "leg". I read somewhere that very few traders are successful at legging.
