When to get out of a failing option trade?
- Thread starter nxt7
- Start date
I bought some weekly ATM puts at 2080 on the S&P in anticipation that falling crude prices would push it down a bit a few %. Obviously I got seriously burned when it crossed way above 2090 today...Now how do I get out of this? I'm hoping it dips nearer to 2080 again before I close the trade and breakeven, but the upward momentum seems to be quite strong on this one...
That's why I prefer to sell options. You collect a premium and get the benefit of time decay. If it goes against me, I can either roll it or accept assignment, sell a covered call and a new put, thereby creating a strangle. I agree with what others say about having a trading plan.
Maybe I did not make myself clear. I sell put options usually using only a portion of the account. Good money management is important. I prefer to sell options because of the premium collected and time decay is in your favor. If it goes against me as I stated, I make a decision to either roll it over to a future month or to accept assignment, sell a covered call and sell a new put for this stock or ETF. That way I am lowering my cost basis.Eat like a Mouse
Shit like an Elephant
Of course, I only sell puts on stocks or ETFs I do not mind owning and I have a trading plan on how I will manage the trade. That is important. You should know all this. After all, you are an option guru. Maybe I am on the wrong site. I am not an elite trader. I don't trade for a living and wouldn't want to. I just hope to manage my money in retirement accounts because as you know, "no one will care about your money like you will".