Post feedWant To Talk About Exits on Credit Spreads? Me Neither.
I received a few comments about exiting credit spreads prior to expiration. A few comments include how Implied Volatility changes 
the pricing on the options, how losses are worse buying back early, violation of a break even point, daily fluctuations showing profits/losses, exits based on greeks, etc.
The credit spread strategy is used to withdraw option premium out of the market at a low risk area. Basically selling these at places the market is not likely to hit. If you find yourself struggling with exiting spreads early, it is likely that the exit is not the problem. The problem is probably your entry or how aggressive you are playing spreads. Remember that the main objective is to get these spreads to expire worthless and keep the initial credit. Here are a four rules to consider...
Rule #1: Do not sell time.
Try to aim for front month expirations. Even if they expire in a week or two, this is a good thing!!! Don't sell lots of time since you have a higher probability of the stock moving against you over this time.
Rule#2: Don't forget rule #1
Rule#3: Sell these spreads at a strike that the market/stock will not hit!
This is one of the most important aspects. If you want to keep the credit, keep the trade away from the price of the underlying instrument. Beyond key support/resistance levels, way out the money, etc.
Rule#4: Timing is everything.
Perhaps your timing is lousy? I know when I first started trading I was so furious that I couldn't get my exits right. After doing further research, I found that my entry was horrible. As I fixed this it made exiting these trades so much easier. Make sure your entries get you in the issue as early as possible.
Now that I have issued the rules, let me retort to a few of the comments I received...
"Implied Volatility effecting the options"... Yes, both options will increase in value if IV rises. This would make the spread more expensive to re-purchase....BUT...this should not offset the decay of time. If you keep these options short dated time decay should be able to over-rule this factor. More importantly, if you keep these spreads away from the stock price it won't matter. As long as you are not in danger of gaining intrinsic value they will expire worthless.
"Losses seem to be worse buying back early"...This can be the case, especially if the price moves too much against you. Keep in mind that spreads will fluctuate in value all over the place. What is important is that you focus on the chart, and not on the gain/loss balance in your account.
"Breakeven points"...Don't tell anyone, but breakeven points are meaningless. At expiration you can use this for some reason, but even then it won't matter. When trading spreads never use a breakeven point for an exit unless it correlates to support, resistance, or some other predetermined exit.
"Exits based on greeks"...Never use a greek as an exit.
Leave additional questions in the comments section. I will try real hard to supply answers.
the pricing on the options, how losses are worse buying back early, violation of a break even point, daily fluctuations showing profits/losses, exits based on greeks, etc.The credit spread strategy is used to withdraw option premium out of the market at a low risk area. Basically selling these at places the market is not likely to hit. If you find yourself struggling with exiting spreads early, it is likely that the exit is not the problem. The problem is probably your entry or how aggressive you are playing spreads. Remember that the main objective is to get these spreads to expire worthless and keep the initial credit. Here are a four rules to consider...
Rule #1: Do not sell time.
Try to aim for front month expirations. Even if they expire in a week or two, this is a good thing!!! Don't sell lots of time since you have a higher probability of the stock moving against you over this time.
Rule#2: Don't forget rule #1
Rule#3: Sell these spreads at a strike that the market/stock will not hit!
This is one of the most important aspects. If you want to keep the credit, keep the trade away from the price of the underlying instrument. Beyond key support/resistance levels, way out the money, etc.
Rule#4: Timing is everything.
Perhaps your timing is lousy? I know when I first started trading I was so furious that I couldn't get my exits right. After doing further research, I found that my entry was horrible. As I fixed this it made exiting these trades so much easier. Make sure your entries get you in the issue as early as possible.
Now that I have issued the rules, let me retort to a few of the comments I received...
"Implied Volatility effecting the options"... Yes, both options will increase in value if IV rises. This would make the spread more expensive to re-purchase....BUT...this should not offset the decay of time. If you keep these options short dated time decay should be able to over-rule this factor. More importantly, if you keep these spreads away from the stock price it won't matter. As long as you are not in danger of gaining intrinsic value they will expire worthless.
"Losses seem to be worse buying back early"...This can be the case, especially if the price moves too much against you. Keep in mind that spreads will fluctuate in value all over the place. What is important is that you focus on the chart, and not on the gain/loss balance in your account.
"Breakeven points"...Don't tell anyone, but breakeven points are meaningless. At expiration you can use this for some reason, but even then it won't matter. When trading spreads never use a breakeven point for an exit unless it correlates to support, resistance, or some other predetermined exit.
"Exits based on greeks"...Never use a greek as an exit.
Leave additional questions in the comments section. I will try real hard to supply answers.
Agree with your comments, Jeff. However, I have seen a successful spread trader (I have access to his excellent long track record) follow this method: #1 only think of getting out if the underlying is going against you. #2 If delta gets above 30 AND the debit to buy back gets to X (X depends on your risk profile and how many contracts are on the line, an example might be $1.80) then bye bye. For delta to not be close to 30 you need to have sold a strike miles away and that can be done with proper timing, as you said.
Posted by
Anonymous |
12/12/2006 10:58:00 AM
John,
Correct! Never risk the max loss, try and find a dollar value that represents the worst case scenario. Then buy back for a loss. I have never used delta to gauge that, but sounds interesting.
Solid addition, thanks for the contribution!
Jeff
Posted by
Option Addict |
12/12/2006 11:07:00 AM
Jeff,
Thanks for the fantastic blog! Although still new to options, I have learned a ton from you and all the contributors.
Question, though for you on a couple of posts back on support bounces. What do you use as confirmation? Do you look at intra day charts? Volume? What constitutes a successful bounce play? I did a search on the entire blog and couldn't find confirmation details. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
AM
Posted by
Anonymous |
12/12/2006 11:28:00 AM
I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I'm not very internet savvy so I'm not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos
Feel free to visit my homepage :: can i wash my tattoo with dial soap
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/04/2013 04:57:00 AM
We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a
brand new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful
information to work on. You've performed a formidable activity and our entire neighborhood will be thankful to you.
Take a look at my weblog louisiana hog hunts
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/04/2013 07:25:00 AM
I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Also visit my blog post: sealyham terrier charmin
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/04/2013 09:32:00 AM
Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover someone who truly knows what they're discussing on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people must read this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you surely have the gift.
Have a look at my blog ... vegan aunt jemima pancakes
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/04/2013 10:53:00 AM
Very soon this website will be famous amid all blogging and site-building viewers, due to
it's nice content
My site :: %anchor_text%
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/05/2013 04:45:00 AM
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your website offered us with valuable information to work on.
You've done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to you.
Feel free to visit my weblog quaker state coupons printable
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/05/2013 06:23:00 AM
Wonderful article! That is the kind of information that should be shared across the net.
Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this publish upper!
Come on over and talk over with my site . Thanks =)
My weblog :: Jack Daniels maxwell house
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/05/2013 08:19:00 AM
I've been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours today, but I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is beautiful price enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the web will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before.
My website: xerox 8560dn printer
Posted by
Anonymous |
5/17/2013 03:14:00 PM