Redeemed myself today – VERY risky Apple (AAPL) trade +248% – Back in the game!
Okay, so yesterday with $4500 in my account I took a BIG bet on Apple’s stock that since it was swimming around $630 and not dropping that it would move higher. It did move higher into the close so I double upped big time on AAPL OCT 670 CALLS @ $.23. Now, I bought 1 contract of AAPL OCT 670 CALL @ $2.71 only a few days earlier. I think only 2 days earlier. So $3 to $.18 cents isn’t that promising to just JUMP into, but I felt the bear gunslingers in this trade were getting tired and the bulls were regaining energy. I mean, how much positive news does it take to make Apple move again??? All good news and the stock was just constipated sitting on its ass. Once that poop went through it would run again. Well, I was in luck today because although there were always rumors finally luck came my way with an actual fact that Apple was going to show a product in the next week. Apple went from +$5 to +$13 making the out of the money calls suddenly more volatile and quickly change from snails to rabbits immediately as the market maker saw the opportunity to make money. Believe it or not this happened in less than 45 minutes. My option doubled and I couldn’t even be sold out of my GTC because I had an ALL OR NONE on my price of $.50 with the current bid/ask of $.67-.70. In a helpful way that ended me gaining another +$3000 profit as I cancelled it and did a limit price opening it up to partial fills taking around 1-2 minutes of complete thrill as I saw it being filled up at $.80 instead of $.50 (+248%). I wanted AAPL to reach $650. This was my target to sell out but I was able to sell out quickly around $647-648 with my option target above what I wanted. I didn’t wait. I wanted to be out of this trade BADLY. I like big fat tech stocks but not in near death $0 expiring options. I know what happens at the end of expiration when you wait – and HOPE – nadda – zero – sorrows – and lack of discipline that only leaves you unable to stay in the game. I told myself if Apple didn’t do shit today I would sell out at a bigger loss if it ended at $.10 to $.18. However, today I really got lucky and the support on technical charts which I saw a crater forming over the 5-10 day chart make Apple finally pop – however Apple could have just continued to fall – so I WAS lucky on this one even though Apple really was constipated in price. I would have stayed in the trade if my options weren’t near death because it’s a high probability chance that AAPL now will move even higher tomorrow with a big white candle with a kicker bullish chart setup. I’m happy with the cash I got and I’m on to a less risky in-the-money intraday trade. I’m better at trading intraday – smaller profit – less stress – no worries what the price will be the next day.
My currently account status
August 15th, 2012 – began trading again and started with $2000
October 15th, 2012 – into my tenth trade with an ending balance of $12,500 (up 525% – 60 days)
In my my 12 month plan I would be in month 4 so I am 2 months ahead. See post here how to make a million in 12 months trading options IF you are the BEST if you suck you’ll loose your ass.
noteable stocks – apple (aapl), wells fargo (wfc), citigroup (c)
Some notable stocks I’ve been journaling over the past few weeks are:
Apple (AAPL @ $100) – up 10% and stock price has held above $80 since the economy got worse.
Wells Fargo (WFC @ $14.50) – Since Warren Buffett made some positive comments on it saying investors will be surprised by better earnings (plus I should mention the positive news on Citigroup) the stock is up 40%.
Citigroup Bank (C @ 2.50) – Positive news on profit in 2009 and on since biggest plunge 3/6 stock is up 100% and will likely continue to climb.
Spicy Pickle (SPKL @ .20) – Not really super big news buzz worthy but for a really really little guy this companies “image” and confidence might make it the next Panera Bread/Star Bucks/Quiznos. They aren’t waiting on the economy to get better they are being innovative and open thinking taking action now to still grow and build their business.
-fn
Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS @ $32) up 7% since my last post.
Dicks Sporting Goods stores (DKS @ $32) stock price is up 7% from after I reported on its earnings. The sporting goods retail stock has been slipping with all the other major giant retailers such as Sears Holding (SHLD @ $112) and Macy’s (M @ $30). Since earnings it has risen about $2 after being upgraded the second day after earnings by Citigroup (C @ $31). Practicing the play on options/real trade you would of made a 75% ROI on JAN 30 CALLS for DKS. Bought around $2 and sold around $3.50. Of course you would of traded this if you had your head screwed on straight and were not in demolishing belittling DEC 30 PUTS for Apple Inc. (AAPL @ $171.50) up probably 6 pts from where I bought the PUTS which are going to $0. Yes – yes – yes the likely hood that I could of took a small loss, well big to most people, at -$300 on a $1000 trade (-30%). I’m currently at a value of $250 for my 10 contracts. I think Apple is a hot company, but I was 100% sure this second run one the last until the New Year. I was definitely wrong. I think I need to take a long break from trading any stock. Even a majority of my stock practice plays are failing. I’ve also noticed all my very short-term plays (in and out within 1 1/2 day) for the most part 90% work earning an average of around 5-10% per trade because the stock market is currently going up and down so much that by the 4-7th day in my option practice trade my options intrinsic value is becoming less and less even if the stock is going my way. Something I think is what makes Dick’s Sporting Goods a “hot pick” that is bound to go up is because its brand name is advertised all over ESPN’s basketball and football games. It’s subconsciously telling little boys and girls all over the world to buy from Dick’s. I have a Dicks Sporting Goods in my hometown of Virginia Beach and I have to admit its really simple nice store with a very good selection priced for the average consumer.
Conclusions: Well my DEC PUT is good until December 21st so I have a little less than 30 days for Apple Inc. stock basically to fall to around $150 to become profitable and sell out. I am 100% against depositing money into my account. I just “feel” like I am going to lose it! And any trader’s book says if you feel like you are not 100% confident about your trade you probably should not be trading and likely to lose. I know I have better trading skills then what I have been actually putting out. I need to put more research into trading a stock – before I trade a stock. Currently trades I consider won’t work to practice on ARE WORKING so I know it isn’t 100% my error either. The market is definitely a bit nutty with all this bad credit mortgage news and thriving tech companies.
Below is a 55 minute chart of DKS to show movement:
(Click on to enlarge)
Paul Meyer 