Quote from riskarb:
I like it a lot better than the 145 I'm short! I'd probably want some mild -delta on OIH here, provided I am flat in that ticker. I'd go with the 150 or the 50/55 strangle.
Quote from riskarb:
Right, I'd simply feel more comfortable being short 30d than neutral. Not a reco, however.![]()
Quote from optioncoach:
Well here is what I did with GOOG today. Given teh strength and the continued rise to earnings next week I did the following:
1. Initially I sold 5 FEB $400 Straddles @ $53.60 for a credit of $26,800.
2. Today I closed the $400 Puts @ $10.10 (sold at $22.50) for a profit of $12.40 or $6,200. This cost me $5,050 to buy back, reducing my net credit on the straddle to $21,750.
3. I purchased the FEB $390 Call and rolled into Bull Call Spread ($390/$400) since I am now bullish on GOOG through the earnings. I paid $61.70 for 5 $390 Calls or $30,850. If you subtract the net credit I already received, the cost was $9,100.
4. The net cost of the spread is $9,100 and has a value of $5,000 (10-point spread and 5 spreads).
5. At or close to expiration I expect GOOG to be above $400. In that case the net loss on the spread will be $4,100 ($9,100 cost minus $5,000 credit to close). Combined with the net profit on the closed puts of $6,200 this is a net profit combined of $2,100.
So if GOOG stays above $400 I turn my short straddle into a $2,100 profitable bull call spread. If GOOG tanks I lose $9,100 on the spread which is offset by the $6,200 in profit already collected for a net loss of $2,900.
SUMMARY: I now have a position where I risk $2,900 to make $2,100 on the assumption that GOOG will remain above $400.
I am pretty tired this morning from working late so if I @#$%ed up the math let me know. If not, then I think I made a good adjustment based on my changed view of GOOG. For some reason I have this little devil telling me I iz wrong!
EDIT: Something is off here and I think I am double counting the put profit somehow. Worst case scenario I still have a limited loss and some good tuition. ANyone catch the mistake please tell me. 5 hours sleep is not working for me today LOL.

Quote from jplatsky:
In the interest of those following the journal, a closer look at the GOOG adjustment made by the Coach might be beneficial for those who would consider using it in the future.
The 400 straddle was sold for 53.60.
The put side was closed for 10.10. So the risk on the downside is now removed. The remaining credit is now 43.50, for only the calls.
The entire credit is kept if GOOG expires <400, partial credit if it expires between 400 and 443.50 and a loss if GOOG expires > 443.50
To remove the upside risk the 390 call was then purchased for 61.70. Reduced by the credit of 43.50 for the sold call, leaving a bull call spread 390/400 for the price of 18.20
I believe the above math is correct, my apologies in advance if not.
Thanks for the journal Riskarb,
Jack
Quote from optioncoach:
Well here is what I did with GOOG today. Given teh strength and the continued rise to earnings next week I did the following:
1. Initially I sold 5 FEB $400 Straddles @ $53.60 for a credit of $26,800.
2. Today I closed the $400 Puts @ $10.10 (sold at $22.50) for a profit of $12.40 or $6,200. This cost me $5,050 to buy back, reducing my net credit on the straddle to $21,750.
3. I purchased the FEB $390 Call and rolled into Bull Call Spread ($390/$400) since I am now bullish on GOOG through the earnings. I paid $61.70 for 5 $390 Calls or $30,850. If you subtract the net credit I already received, the cost was $9,100.
4. The net cost of the spread is $9,100 and has a value of $5,000 (10-point spread and 5 spreads).
5. At or close to expiration I expect GOOG to be above $400. In that case the net loss on the spread will be $4,100 ($9,100 cost minus $5,000 credit to close). Combined with the net profit on the closed puts of $6,200 this is a net profit combined of $2,100.
So if GOOG stays above $400 I turn my short straddle into a $2,100 profitable bull call spread. If GOOG tanks I lose $9,100 on the spread which is offset by the $6,200 in profit already collected for a net loss of $2,900.
SUMMARY: I now have a position where I risk $2,900 to make $2,100 on the assumption that GOOG will remain above $400.
I am pretty tired this morning from working late so if I @#$%ed up the math let me know. If not, then I think I made a good adjustment based on my changed view of GOOG. For some reason I have this little devil telling me I iz wrong!
EDIT: Something is off here and I think I am double counting the put profit somehow. Worst case scenario I still have a limited loss and some good tuition. ANyone catch the mistake please tell me. 5 hours sleep is not working for me today LOL.
Quote from bpatel11:
Coach
after your two adjustment your net debit is $9100. At expiration if GOOG is above 400 then you will receive $5000 credit. This will make total debit ($9100-$5000)= $4100 which will be minimum loss you will incur. if GOOG is below 390 at expiration then you will have maximum loss which will equal to net debit of $9100.
Please correct me if i miscalculated
Thanks & hope you get enough rest
bharat