BradR,
Just looking at the SLB trade, I don't quite understand something or maybe the numbers I'm seeing aren't correct.
You mention you were stopped out, but your org. post says you were going to risk double premium. According to OptionsXpress, the high for that option was $147 on the 8th. Did you just decide to close it early? Because otherwise, it hadn't gone against you that much since you sold it for $105.
Also, on the 7th, it shows a low of $41, and I realize the stock fell back quickly after opening higher that day. You mention you were going to buy back if the premium was half, like it was here, but maybe it wasn't that low for very long at all?
Also, I don't know in this case if the credit received would have been enough, but you could consider doing spreads as well. For example if you sold the 80 put, bought the 75 put. Then, maybe you wouldn't have to have been so concerned about a small loss having built up on the 8th because the 75 put protects you somewhat. Even though you could still lose a fair amount, it protects against complete disaster like if it opened at $40 one day or something. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is you might have more ability in this case to hold on if the stock temp. dipped below 80, etc.
It just seems a shame that the stock is back to where it was, but you lost money selling the puts because of a slight short term movement.
JJacksET4
