March Bear Call Spread (XLF)

Posted by Dunc on February 29, 2008 (02:52AM)

Got filled on a 28/29 March Bear Call Spread for a credit of .18.

Rationale = Option pricing suggests over a 77% probability the XLF will close below 28 before March expiration.  We will take advantage of time decay and buy back the spread no later than the Friday before expiration. 

Fibonacci Retracements and the moving averages provide the relevant support/resistance targets. 

The 8ema has crossed the 21ema on a daily chart, which I view as bearish.  The 50% retracement of the move from 24.11 to 29.93 comes in at 27.02; the 38.2% comes in at 27.71; the 25% comes in at 28.48.   The XLF has penetrated each of these levels on its way down to 26.17, so the former support at these levels should now act as resistance.

The 55 ema on a daily chart comes in at 27.71 and the 100 ema comes in at 29.24.  Also, the XLF has been unable to close above 28.50 since the first week of March. 

Fundamentally, the financials lack transparency and harbor unknown risks related to complex derivatives for the near futures.  Write-downs continue . . .

This trade makes the maximum of $180 if the XLF stays below 28.27.  Again, we will take profits before expiration week so we will not capture all the premium.  Maximum risk is potentially $820 if the XLF rallies above 129.

Posted by Dunc on March 04, 2008 (04:43AM)

XLF has gotten buried since we placed our spread . . . will not get greedy and will look to take profits today - yesterday's daily candle was a doji which means some indecision in the market.   In any event, if this works out we'll secure an 18-20% yield on our money in just a few days!

Posted by Dunc on March 04, 2008 (05:15AM)

No takers on the closing trade - I like my trade so I am not willing to budge much on the spread.   Will allow time decay to continue to work and will see how things progress.

Posted by Dunc on March 05, 2008 (05:55AM)

XLF bounced a little but still on a steep downtrend and trading below the 8ema - we look good.  In order to take us out the XLF would have to rally above the 8, 21, and 55 ema which is no small task in the current environment!

Posted by Dunc on March 11, 2008 (06:08PM)

Took 6 of the 10 contracts off the table today for a debit of .03 and will allow the remainder to expire worthless and allow us to keep the premium sold. 

Profit on 6 contracts -

Sold 6 for .18 = 108

Bought 6 for .03 = 18

108-18 = 90 profit (gross of commissions)

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