Systematic Put Write - April 2020

Summary

Last Friday was Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy.

IBEX 35 on April 17th 2020. Source Investing

After last month´s crash, the IBEX 35 bounced back, although not as much as the markets in the USA, for instance. The index closed at 6875 points, gaining 335 points (or +6,70%).

As I commented last month, the opening of new short positions was forbidden (and it keeps that way) by the CNMV (Spanish market regulator) so I could not perform the usual PUT selling. Instead, in order to keep the same exposure level, I bought a contract of the IBEX 35 future (which is the underlying asset of the PUT option) at 6110 points and sold it last Friday at 6940 points, booking a gain of 822,8€.

However, I don´t think that is fair to record this gain, since the strategy only involves selling ATM PUT options. Instead, I will record the theoretical gains that I would have obtained by selling the corresponding April 2020 6400 PUT: +437,50€ (or +6,42%).

Considering all this, since its inception, the strategy is at -24%. During the same period, the IBEX 35 lost -27,9%.

Systematic Put Write - March 2020

Summary

Last Friday was Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy.

IBEX 35 on March 20th 2020. Source Investing

Total meltdown, panic on the markets due to the COVID-19 and its effects on the health and the economy. The IBEX 35 index closed at 6443 points, losing 3489 points (or a whooping -34,83%).

As I had sold a 9900 PUT for 136,35€, I have to book a loss of -3300,30€ (also a painful -32,24%).

Considering this, since its inception, the Put Write Strategy is at -28,6%. During the same period, IBEX 35 lost -32,5%.

This strategy delivers what it promises: "Equity-like performance with less volatility", so when the underlying equity crashes, we crash too, although less hard.

To make matters worse, the CNMV (the Spanish market regulator) forbid short operations (spanish) on Indexes and derivatives and, although PUT selling is a bullish/neutral strategy, we will not be able to sell a PUT option for April.

Instead, I will have to buy next Monday the underlying future contract to keep the same exposure level during the month of April. For the tracking purposes, I will note the theoretical value of the PUT option, which would be been the biggest one in our history series due to the huge current volatility.

Systematic Put Write - February 2020

Summary

Last Friday was Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy.

IBEX 35 Index on February 21st 2020. Source Investing

Very strong gains during the first four weeks of the monthly cycle that faded a bit during the last two-three trading sessions. Very good scenario for our strategy since we keep all the premium obtained selling the February PUT option and we get better volatility for March.

IBEX closed at 9886 points, gaining 206 points or 2,1%. As I had sold a February 9600 PUT, for 136,35€, I keep all premium and book a gain of 1,36%.

Considering this, since its inception, the Put Write Strategy is at +6.0%. During the same period, IBEX 35 gained +3,6%.

Systematic Put Write - January 2020

Summary

Last Friday was January Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy.

IBEX 35 on January 17th 2020. Source Investing

Sideways month for the IBEX 35 index, which ended pretty much where it started. The index gained 5 points this month (or around 0,05%).

As I had sold a January 9600 PUT, for 103,35€, I keep all premium and book a gain of 1,07%.

Considering this, since its inception, the Put Write Strategy is at +4,6%. During the same period, IBEX 35 gained +1.5%.

Systematic Put Write - December 2019

Summary

Last Friday was December Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy.

IBEX 35 on December 21st 2019. Source Investing

Nice gains this month in the IBEX 35 index, which increases its value in 414 points (or + 4,47%). This is the first time since August 2018 that the index closes over 9500 points.

For December I had sold a 9300 PUT, for 161,35€. Since the underlying closed above this level, I get to keep all the premium, which represent and increase of +1.66%.

Considering this, since its inception, the Put Write Strategy is at +3.5%. During the same period, IBEX 35 gained +1.4%.

Systematic Put Write - November 2019

Summary

Today is November Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy.

IBEX 35 on November 15th 2019. Source Investing

Sideways month for the IBEX 35 which ends with a little decline of 68 points (or -0,71%).

For November I had sold a 9300 PUT, for 136,35€. After buying it back, a profit of  97,35€ remains (or + 1.01%).

Considering this, since its inception, the Put Write Strategy is at +1.8%.

Systematic Put Write - October 2019

Summary

Today is October Option Expiration day and it is time to review the movements done following our strategy. I would also like to review last month movements since I was not able to do it on time.

IBEX 35 on October 18th 2019. Source Investing

Both September and October have been profitable for the strategy although the underlying IBEX 35 has outperformed us during this time.

For September I had sold a 8600 PUT, for 202,35€ and for October I sold a 9100 PUT for 125,35€. Both options expired worthless, which represent a profit of 327,70€ (or + 3,50%).

Considering this, since its inception, the Put Write Strategy is at +0,8%.