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Diary of a WTI options market maker

GL

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I have been a trader since 1980. I started trading options in late 1983. I lost every penny of a $1.6 million portfolio in the crash of October 1987. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I have a undergraduate degree in Finance. I have a Masters degree in Economics. I have completed about half the requirements of a PhD in Financial Economics. I don't advise pursuing a PhD unless you want to be a teacher. It will not make you a better investor/trader. I developed a trading strategy involving shorting calls against GUSH in 2015 that I managed for a trucking firm to alleviate the strains of high fuel prices. Early in 2019 the owner of the trucking company sold the company and devoted his time to managing just the strategy itself. He said that he expects to make more profit in 2020 from writing calls against GUSH and writing puts and calls against his WTI contracts than his 32-truck transportation company ever did...all from his home...in his pajamas.

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I concur... always better to SELL options when volatility is at high extremes as you receive fatter premiums (from my covered call days on stocks).

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On 11/25/2019 at 10:47 PM, A/Plague said:

a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in economics are also complete shit for trading ... I laugh when morons from banks and companies require this garbage from workers ... a trader with a system is a gift from God😍

never a more true word spoken ! 

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For those that don't have a " trading system from God" a college degree is required for an interview. For those that have " a trading system from God" why would they need a job and what difference does a college degree make ? If the " God's trading system" is so succesful you should already be rich and not worrying about employment requirements.

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On 1/15/2020 at 10:58 AM, Gary LeBlanc said:

Good luck Marie. Do you use a target to establish a sale price ? My 8 short March contracts at $58.05 are starting to do well. For me it's just a waiting period. 

Thanks Gary, you too. My target is in the $53-54 range for CL front-month contracts by mid year, basic supply/demand analysis, view of global growth, etc. Do you know Ed Morse at Citi?
 

So Jan/Feb 21 contracts are headed to $54. Even better, June ‘21 is trading at $53.71, $54 put premium is $5.68, $58 call is $3.63. $9.3k over 16 months. No interest as you wait for price of Aug contracts to fall? 

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Jan 21 2020

I doubt I'll ever go that far out. Most traders ask why I go out further than the front month. Right now I am eyeing the Sept 2020 contract as the first contract month to go long in. When " WTI Sept price" minus "WTI Sept 54 put" equals $50.00 I'll initiate that long position. Then when the August contract/54 put meets the criteria I'll initiate that position. I am currently short 8 March contracts at $58.05. In a perfect world my strategy will set up 2 contracts each in April-Sept months with 54 puts shorted against the total package. 

Edited by Gary LeBlanc

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23 hours ago, OilProspector said:

L1 @ 58.85 Target +200t

 

Well that did not turn out well... reversed @ 58.34 short ~ looking for +200t

Edited by OilProspector

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Still short 8 March contracts at $58.05. My target first target is in the $53-54 range to flip 2 short Mar contracts into 2 long Sept contracts and then immediately short 2 Sept 54 puts.

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gS1 @ 57.46 then 5~10 day low @ 57.37

then gS2 @ 57.21

 

 

Edited by OilProspector

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Next support areas I see is 57.15 (5m 1stTarget), 57.00 (5m 2ndTarget), 56.80 (S3), 56.70 (5m 3rdTarget)...

Edited by OilProspector

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CL Heading for 2% down from open? Spread-Differential between CL/USDCAD and CL/GC .7% separation... I like to see them more in lock-step...

Edited by OilProspector

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On 1/21/2020 at 6:58 AM, OilProspector said:

Well that did not turn out well... reversed @ 58.34 short ~ looking for +200t

+150t currently...

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Almost hit 2% down ~ obligatory bounce. Also hit my 1st 5m bar 3rd target.

Edited by OilProspector

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