Winter. The word alone brings images of kids playing in snow (unless you’re from Texas), Santa Claus, and a plethora of religious holidays such as Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa. However, to Snider Method investors, the word “winter” causes people to cringe and have premonitions of the Apocalypse. Winter is a term used in the Snider Method to describe a position that is not able to generate any option premium. Winter positions are never fun and I get many calls from clients asking how to get their positions out of winter, if there is some way to strategize their way out, or simply sell the position and move on. However, the question you should be asking isn’t “How do I escape winter?” but rather “What are the alternatives and is it better than waiting?” There are three main alternatives: selling the position and starting over, buying more stock to reduce the cost basis, and Transmogrification.
Creating Cash Flow in Retirement
At the close of the third quarter, the S&P 500 was down just over 10% for 2011. Retirees living off their portfolios may face tough decisions over the next few months when it comes time to make their next withdrawal. The standard 4% withdrawal rule faces added scrutiny each and every time the market declines. When portfolio income becomes a priority, it is time to abandon your customary mutual fund portfolio and find an investment strategy aligned with your objectives.
Moving Away from Plastic
As Online Banking has become more accessible and easy to use, I have found myself using my debit card more and more and rarely using cash. This is becoming a common trend among Americans. We are choosing to use plastic even for small purchases. Banks have capitalized on this trend by offering merchant services to small, medium, and large businesses and it is becoming very rare to find an established business that does not accept plastic.
The Greeks: From Past to Present
When people mention the Greeks, images of Zeus, Athena, and Hercules may come to mind. However, in the finance industry, the Greeks are a set of variables used as measures of risk sensitivity. The Greeks consist of delta, theta, gamma, vega, and rho. This article will provide an overview of each variable and what they represent.
The Investors’ Psyche
Investors who adopt a disciplined strategy and manage their emotions make better decisions over the long run. Taking control of your emotions in relation to investing seems like an easy task, but in practice it proves to be quite difficult if not impossible to achieve in perfection. I recently came across Kiplinger’s investor psychology quiz which addresses the ways our minds often sabotage financial decisions.
Option Premiums Part II: Volatility
In the Snider Investment Method, we sell options for a premium, which is the amount we receive for selling someone the right to purchase our shares at a particular price over a given period of time. This is the second of a series, with each article explaining a different component that helps determine the premium of a stock option. The last article discussed time and how the Snider Method uses the time value to its advantage. Today’s focus will be on volatility, another important factor that determines option premium.
Where did all my money go?
Have you ever looked at your account balances and asked yourself, “Where did all my money go?” At the end of the month, it’s a good idea to look back at your credit card transactions and bank statements and evaluate your current financial situation to make sure you are spending responsibly. You may not have gone out and bought a new set of golf clubs or splurged on a trip to the beach, but you might be surprised how quickly some of your routine spending habits start adding up over time.
