Stock surge to record highs for most major
indices. SPY is now up almost 25% for the year. Earlier this year,
more than few moved to sidelines after the market was up 12% or 15%,
thinking it was a good year. I researched it and during the last
thirty years, there was about a 25% chance of a 25% gain or better.
Yes, there are years like 2018 when a nice gain goes south.
As for me, I am amazed at my 46% up year. Grade is A- with over a 4% gain for the November option cycle. More than a few stocks ran too hot and I covered many of the call sides of sold strangles for a loss. Some were rather big losses. AAPL DIS ROKU TSLA were among those that ran too hot as well as QQQ and SPY.
For the year, AMZN TSLA continue to be the lead winner tickers, BA and now ROKU the big losers. I made some small winning plays in BYND DB and a dozen others. I am out of AMZN for now, not wanting to push my luck. If anything, I’ve been too cautious, but up 4% in a month is not bad.
As for me, I am amazed at my 46% up year. Grade is A- with over a 4% gain for the November option cycle. More than a few stocks ran too hot and I covered many of the call sides of sold strangles for a loss. Some were rather big losses. AAPL DIS ROKU TSLA were among those that ran too hot as well as QQQ and SPY.
For the year, AMZN TSLA continue to be the lead winner tickers, BA and now ROKU the big losers. I made some small winning plays in BYND DB and a dozen others. I am out of AMZN for now, not wanting to push my luck. If anything, I’ve been too cautious, but up 4% in a month is not bad.
Here are some
etfs I track, ytd for 2019:
QQQ +31.5% Nasdaq 100, mostly US tech stocks
SPY +24.8% S&P 500 US big cap
IWM +18.7% Russell 2000 US small cap
GLD +14.0% gold
TLT +13.4% US 20-year treasuries
EEM
+10.4% Emerging markets equity1
SLV +9.2% silver
SLV +9.2% silver
dividends are not included
Everything
is up. I often ask, would a person take a certain percentage gain at
the beginning of the year and sit it out. Most market participants
would gladly sign up for +9% if guaranteed. Again, I am up about 46%
for 2019. Yippee! By far my best year in many moons.
I continue to be cautiously optimistic, slight delta positive on sold strangles. I have a lot of dry powder, especially after the third week option expiration. I am recovering from a lingering cough, and extremely busy with other activities, so my time and energy for trading continue to be limited.
I continue to be cautiously optimistic, slight delta positive on sold strangles. I have a lot of dry powder, especially after the third week option expiration. I am recovering from a lingering cough, and extremely busy with other activities, so my time and energy for trading continue to be limited.
