Past Trades   - Mouse over the header of each column for detailed explanations.

December

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Dec 11RUTVertical1090/1095Put Dec 18, 20150.90021.95% expired for profit

It had been a decade since the last time the Fed increased interest rates. They decided to do so during this options cycle. This implies that the US economy is strong enough to handle the higher rates and this will be very optimistic for investors. Historicaly, the markets have risen when rates were increased. With a slower pace then before, this trend should continue. The Fed funds rate is now at 0.50% and it is expected to slowly increase to 1.375% by the end of 2016.

November

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Nov 6RUTIronCondor1120/1125/1240/1245Both Nov 20, 20150.95020.00% expired for profit

Wall Street sold off during this cycle, sending the VIX to a level above 20. The selloff was not one of panic and traded higher once the bargain hunters re-entered. The FOMC met this month and kept rates the same. They meet again in December and many analysts are forecasting a hike then.

October

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Sep 29RUTVertical1025/1030Put Oct 16, 20150.85020.48% expired for profit

With the rate hike off the table for now, Wall Street's fears have eased for the time being. This allowed for the bulls to come in and rally the market to two-month highs. This also gave us a stress-free trade.

September

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Sep 11RUTVertical1085/1090Put Sep 18, 20150.4509.89% expired for profit

The Federal Open Market Committee decided to keep rates unchanged during their meeting this month. The markets traded up to that decision but the day after, Wall Street sold off. Volatility reigns supreme in the current market conditions. Despite that, our traders were able to safely navigate those waters with a profitable trade.

August

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Jul 29RUTVertical1180/1185Put Aug 21, 20150.703.20-58.14% closed 1180/1185 for 2.50 net debit.

The cycle ended with a bit of a panic as markets around the globe began selling off. All major benchmarks in the US went into correction territory and may stay there for a while, some analysts believe. With the looming rate hike possibly being pushed back to December, China's economic impact to the world is concerning investors.

July

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Jun 30RUTVertical1195/1205Put Jul 17, 20151.35015.61% expired for profit

Greece, Greece, Greece. That was the only thing in the news this cycle and investors feared a possible collapse of their economy along with a contagion effect throughout Europe. The Euro leaders prevented this from happening by restructuring the loans made to the crippled country. Of course, this happened about 5 years ago so we could see another repeat in 2020.

June

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 May 22RUTVertical1310/1320Call Jun 19, 20150.5005.26% expired for profit

It's official, the June rate hike is off the table. Analysts now predict a September rate hike and until it actually happens, we will probably continue to see the markets move higher and higher. A rate hike will not guarantee a selloff but the markets are a bit frothy and that could be the needed catalyst. Even if we do selloff, the rate hikes signify a strong economy. The Fed wouldn't begin the hikes unless they feel that the economy would be able to handle it. That alone is a bullish sign.

May

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Apr 27RUTIronCondor1175/1180/1295/1300Both May 15, 20151.00021.51% expired for profit

The markets pushed towards new highs again this cycle. Until the rate hike actually occurs, it looks like the trend is higher for the time being. This could all change if US data shows much stronger growth than recently. If that's the case, a rate hike could occur before the current estimate of September.

April

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Apr 10RUTVertical1285/1290Call Apr 17, 20150.4008.70% expired for profit

The labor report for March curbed any possibility of an early rate hike. The number of new jobs created were less than what analysts predicted and sent the markets to new record highs. The timing of the first rate hike is now believed to be in September.

March

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Feb 27RUTIronCondor1190/1200/1280/1290Both Mar 20, 20152.05021.93% expired for profit

When will the Federal Reserve begin to increase interest rates? That's been the question investors have been asking. With improved economic data and updated Fed statements, a Summer rate-hike is definitely in the cards. There is some speculation that they may begin after their next meeting which is April 28-29. Until they make it official, we can only speculate.

February

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Jan 29RUTVertical1110/1115Put Feb 20, 20150.55012.36% expired for profit

Oil was still a concern with traders this cycle but Greece stole the spotlight. The country wants a brand new deal with regards to their austerity and debt payment plan. Fears are that Greece will simply default on their loans without renegotiating a deal and they could exit the Euro. Of course, the Eurozone does not want this to happen and will do everything in their power to ensure that it doesn't. Since Greece is considered too big to fail, investors are confident that a deal will be reached, but the worst case scenario is still in the back of their minds.

January

Open DateDate we would have opened this trade. UnderlyingUnderlying security Trade TypeTrading strategy StrikesStrike prices Option TypeCall or Put ExpirationExpiration date CreditAmount we would open trade. DebitAmount we would close trade. ResultPercentage this trade would have earned. Trade NotesSpecial notes regarding this trade.
 Dec 29RUTIronCondor1110/1120/1260/1270Both Jan 16, 20151.95021.91% expired for profit

Oil took center stage once again as the commodity hit muli-year lows during the January cycle. Fear from the previous month carried over and sparked another sharp selloff. Just like last month, as soon as the oil price stabilized, so did the stock market. Analysts are forecasting low oil for possibly all of 2015. As long as we don't see another 20% drop in oil, stock prices should also stabilize.