I Lost $80,463 Trading Option Credit Spreads
Hi there and welcome to this article on credit spreads. In a few words I'd like to express the risk involved in this type of option spread just in case you are new to trading options. The reason I would like to bring this up now is because I have had many phone calls from option traders who lost huge chunks of their trading portfolios in October of 2008. Some traders lost up to 80% of their trading capital using this strategy, and the reason is because although this trade has a 90% probability, the risk and the stress involved is not often addressed correctly.
The first spread learned by most beginning option traders is the credit spread. It's a very simple strategy, but what many beginning option traders do not know is that this particular strategy can be very dangerous. There are many courses on the internet that teach this strategy, but the reason is not because it's a great strategy, but rather, it's simple, and it's easy to sell. What I mean to say is that teaching credit spreads to beginning option traders is simply a great business but the fact is, many option traders who only trade credit spreads lose a lot of money each year. Not only do they lose a lot of money, but it's also a very stressful way to live. Let me explain why.
It is very well known that we can construct an options credit spread with a probability of 90%, but how much money will be made with a 90% probability options trade? Not very much at all... usually we can make between five and 10% in one month. This sounds like a lot of money, but what are the risks involved? What happens to your portfolio when this trade goes against you? Catastrophic losses can and will occur to your trading capital if you have the least range short-term credit spreads.
People don't talk about how they can be way behind on the trade sometimes the whole time they're in the trade. People don't talk about how they get down to the very last day and they are risking 90% just to make a small 10%, and they don't talk about how they can't sleep at night and how they are praying to God that their stock might go up tomorrow. Finally, one of the most important things that nobody tells you about the credit spread is that a 90% probability doesn't mean that you're going to make money nine times in a row and then lose one time. The sad truth is that you might lose 90% on your first trade. This happens all the time.
Credit spreads are actually very directional trades. If you look at a risk graph of a credit spread, then you understand what I am saying. Even though this trade has been on its side, the Gamma is so high that it makes the trade extremely risky. If this trade goes against you, you will lose money really fast. If you are trading short-term credit spreads, and often times you will find yourself at the edge of a cliff and about to lose all of your money.
Finally I would like to say that credit spreads can be used effectively in an options portfolio. Normally however, the credit spread should be combined with another options strategy. This will limit a risk and increase your return potential each month. There is a place for credit spreads in my portfolio, but if you are thinking of doing them alone as a standalone strategy, then I encourage you to think again. - 23159
The first spread learned by most beginning option traders is the credit spread. It's a very simple strategy, but what many beginning option traders do not know is that this particular strategy can be very dangerous. There are many courses on the internet that teach this strategy, but the reason is not because it's a great strategy, but rather, it's simple, and it's easy to sell. What I mean to say is that teaching credit spreads to beginning option traders is simply a great business but the fact is, many option traders who only trade credit spreads lose a lot of money each year. Not only do they lose a lot of money, but it's also a very stressful way to live. Let me explain why.
It is very well known that we can construct an options credit spread with a probability of 90%, but how much money will be made with a 90% probability options trade? Not very much at all... usually we can make between five and 10% in one month. This sounds like a lot of money, but what are the risks involved? What happens to your portfolio when this trade goes against you? Catastrophic losses can and will occur to your trading capital if you have the least range short-term credit spreads.
People don't talk about how they can be way behind on the trade sometimes the whole time they're in the trade. People don't talk about how they get down to the very last day and they are risking 90% just to make a small 10%, and they don't talk about how they can't sleep at night and how they are praying to God that their stock might go up tomorrow. Finally, one of the most important things that nobody tells you about the credit spread is that a 90% probability doesn't mean that you're going to make money nine times in a row and then lose one time. The sad truth is that you might lose 90% on your first trade. This happens all the time.
Credit spreads are actually very directional trades. If you look at a risk graph of a credit spread, then you understand what I am saying. Even though this trade has been on its side, the Gamma is so high that it makes the trade extremely risky. If this trade goes against you, you will lose money really fast. If you are trading short-term credit spreads, and often times you will find yourself at the edge of a cliff and about to lose all of your money.
Finally I would like to say that credit spreads can be used effectively in an options portfolio. Normally however, the credit spread should be combined with another options strategy. This will limit a risk and increase your return potential each month. There is a place for credit spreads in my portfolio, but if you are thinking of doing them alone as a standalone strategy, then I encourage you to think again. - 23159
About the Author:
Learn Maximum Safety, Maximum Return Option Credit Spreads in our Live Options Trading Rooms at San Jose Options.
posted by X - Men @ 5:52 AM
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