Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Profit In The Current Stock Market By Using The Condor Spread

By Walter Fox

Want to gain your personal financial freedom, even during in these trying economic times? If you are willing to handle your personal expenses responsibly, then using the Iron Condor Spread, one of the best option trading tips available, your money can be put back to work for you. Time may be needed, but the rewards for your patience are often worth it.

Compared to other option trading systems the Iron Condor Spread is more advanced, because it results in higher profits, and lowers the potential for loss. On the same underlying security the Iron Condor Spread uses a spread of bear-call and bull-put options. Built out of the Condor Spread, The Iron Condor Spread yields a net credit through the doubling of credit on a single spread position.

How does this option trading tip make you profit? The system uses two spreads, which generates two different break-even points: the upper break-even and the lower break-even. Anytime a stock remains below the upper break even point or higher then the lower break-even, you will profit.

Before using this option trading tip,ensure that you have a large enough cash balance in your account. Many of the option trading brokers that are online will not let you enter this type of spread without the ability to meet margin requirements with the proper funds.

What benefits does using an Iron Condor Spread provide? 1) The utilization of an uncovered position by not having to purchase or hold any stock. 2) This tip generates a complete neutral strategy. 3) Due to call and put options potential returns are increased. 4) Double credit provides lowered potential risk as well as controlled risk

The Iron Condor Spread is ideally used when the underlying asset is not expected to change, or to only change minimally over the course of the life of the option. When the middle strike equals the price of the underlying asset, the profit is maximized at expiration. In addition the range of customisation allowed with this system of option trading is admirable. This is calculation of profit:

Maximum Profit = Net Credit Profit % = (Credit gained from short legs/greatest difference in strike) x 100 Max Loss = Greatest difference in the consecutive strike a" net credit This formula allows a maximum profit that is limited to the gained net credit. As for maximum loss, it is limited to the calculated maximum loss.

Using the Iron Condor Spread provides a large number of advantages, although be forewarned of this: making a profit using the Iron Condor Spread requires time and active monitoring. As a result a proper analysis prior to entry will be necessary. It is also important to remember that the Iron Condor Spread will require high levels of trading to be successful. Traders with lower levels of trading will be unsuccessful in using the Iron Condor Spread. - 16003

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