Well Puts

I had the following options expire in January. January was a good month. I don’t think I will be nearly as prosperous in February.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) The Jan 15 puts expired OTM. I wrote these back on 11/25/09 for a 7 week return of 5.28% *. AEO is back below the 100 day SMA. I might consider selling some more 15 strike puts if support holds. This will come off my watch list for now.

Century Aluminum Co. (CENX) I wrote these puts in my IRA back on 11/18. They expired OTM for a 8 week return of 3.23% *. There is support at 12 and I might look to reenter this by selling March 10 or 12.50 puts.

DryShips, Inc. (DRYS) The Jan 7.50 calls I wrote back on 12/02/09 expired OTM for a 6 week return of 2.16%. I had also sold some 6 strike puts as part of this trade but I closed them out at break even. DRYS is breaking down and I won’t sell any more puts at this point.

Diana Shipping Inc. (DSX) I wrote Jan 15 puts in my IRA back on 12/1. This is a 6 week return of 5.61% *. I still hold some DSX in my Roth. My cost-basis is $11.09.

Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) The Jan 11 puts I wrote on 11/27/09 expired OTM. This was part of a trade adjustment I made to roll the Dec 12 puts to Jan 11. I also wrote Jan 11 puts in my IRA.

Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI) The Jan 22.50 puts I wrote on 12/08/09 expired OTM for a 5 week return of 2.63% *.

RTI International Metals, Inc. (RTI) The Jan 17.50 puts I wrote back on 11/24/09 expired OTM. This is a 7 week return of 4.24% *.

UAL Corporation (UAUA) The Jan 7.50 puts I wrote back on 12/01/09 expired OTM. This is a 6 week return of 6.56% *.

* The return is calculated using the premium I received from the sale of the options (less commissions) and the capital required to pay for their possible assignment.

I wrote some RTI International Metals, Inc. (RTI) January 17.50 puts just before close.

I had the following options expiring in September.

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ENER) – I sold ENER September puts back on July 23rd in my taxable account. This is a 2 month net return of 7.54%.* I sold ENER October 13 puts on September 17th once I was confident the September puts would expire OTM.

I also hold ENER in my IRA and had some September 16 calls expiring which I sold on August 10th. This is a 6 week net return of 4.64%* and lowers my cost basis to $13.01.

United States Natural Gas (UNG) – I had September 14 calls expiring that I sold back on August 10th in my taxable account. This is a 6 week net return of 4.95%.* and brings my cost basis down to $11.52. I sold some UNG Oct 12 Calls in my IRA on Friday, September 17th before close.

RTI International Metals, Inc. (RTI) – I sold to open RTI Sep 17.50 puts back on August 4th. This is a 6 week net return of 6.24%.*

Smith International Inc. (SII) I sold SII September 25.00 puts back on August 13th. This is a 5 week return of 2.77%.*

Basic Energy Services, Inc. (BAS) – I sold BAS Sep 7.50 puts on July 24th. This is a 6 week net return of 15.23%*.

I closed out these September options prior to expiration:

• CardioNet, Inc. (BEAT) on 9/17
• Carpenter Technology Corp. (CRS) on 9/4
• JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (JASO) on 9/16
• TBS International Limited (TBSI) on 9/9

* The return is calculated using the premium I received from the sale of the options (less commissions) and the capital required to pay for their possible assignment.

A week to go before September expiration and I have a lot of puts expiring. I need to plan out what I’m holding through expiration and what I need to make adjustments on. The market has been up for every day for a week now and a pullback seems imminent. However, the market doesn’t care what I think and this could continue. I need a plan either way.

Oil & Gas Equipment & Services

BAS was a lottery pick no doubt about it. I’m short the Sep 7.50 puts and there is a good chance I could be put this stock but after the melt-up this morning I’m not so sure. I’m holding for now.

SII is also moving according to plan. I’m short the Sep 25 strike puts. I see no reason to adjust this position at this point.

Semiconductors

ENER
There is a chance I will be put ENER at 12.50 but I’m fine with that. ENER had a really big move on very high volume back on the 8th. It is currently battling the declining 50 day SMA so I need to be concerned with that. If put the stock I will likely look to immediately sell 13 or 14 strike calls on it.

JASO
The JASO and ENER charts look pretty similar. JASO was more of a gamble as I sold these puts well in the money to begin with (Sep 5 puts). Selling short ITM puts can be a very profitable strategy but you have to be very careful. I did this successfully with JASO back on June 24th and bought them back on August 11th.

There was a lot of volume on that recent push to 4 and I’m hoping this is some consolidation. If it can’t get back above 4.10 before expiration I’m getting out or rolling them to October.

Metals and Minerals

RTI I’m short the Sep 17.50 puts. This is moving nicely. Higher highs and higher lows, no adjustments necessary.

Medical Instruments and Supplies

BEAT was a ridiculous trade and I am little embarrassed to even have it on here. I’m embarrassed because the reasons I entered the trade completely go against my rules. However, it is moving in my favor and it looks to have absorbed the 50 day SMA. High volume on recent rallies might suggest accumulation.

ETF

UNG
I am short some UNG 14 strike calls that should expire well OTM. UNG continues to rip, but I’m still staying away until that 50 day SMA flattens out. I will look to sell Oct 14 calls after expiration.