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Andy Crowder

Senior Analyst

Andy Crowder is a professional options trader, researcher and Senior Analyst at Cabot. Formerly with Oppenheimer & Co. in New York, Andy has leveraged his investment experience to develop his statistically based options trading strategy which applies probability theory to option valuations in order to execute risk-controlled trades. This proprietary strategy has been refined through two decades of research and real-world experience and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Seeking Alpha, and numerous other financial publications. Andy has helped thousands of option traders learn and implement his meticulous rules-driven options trading strategies through highly attended conferences, one-on-one coaching, webinars, and his work as a financial columnist. He currently resides in Bolton Valley, Vermont and when he’s not trading, teaching and writing about options, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, backcountry skiing, biking, running and enjoying all things outdoors.

From this author
Today we are going to close our two Bear Call Spreads (QQQ and SPY) in the Quant Trader portfolio. Here are the details:

All-Weather Portfolio Alert (GLD, IEF, VTI, TLT, DBC), Buffett’s Patient Investor Portfolio Alert (AAPL, GOOGL, TXN), Cabot Options Institute Fundamentals – Yale Endowment Portfolio Alert (SPY, EEM, VNQ, TIP, EFA)
When it comes to options strategies, sometimes simpler is better, and this simple strategy has generated triple-digit returns for me since launching my portfolio with Cabot less than two years ago.
The slow and steady approach continues to work in all market environments. We continue to tack on small gains each and every week via laddering. By laddering the expiration cycles of our positions, we have been able to collect income each and every week. This week, we locked in and added 2.3% to our total returns. Doesn’t sound like much to the uninitiated, but for those participating in the strategy our Income Trader portfolio continues to shine with a total return of 161.5%.

And it doesn’t stop there.
As we move into the last few weeks leading up to the next earnings season, it should be no surprise that there is little in the way of earnings announcements this week, or next week for that matter.


Earnings season “officially” begins in just over two weeks. On April 12, several of the big banks (WFC, JPM, C) are due to kick things off. As always, we will look to take on a few trades around that time. Until then, we patiently wait, sitting on our hands, for the earnings calendar to provide us with ample opportunities.
The goal is simple this week. We have two open bear call spread positions at the moment which means our portfolio currently leans to the short side of things. This week, if the market cooperates, I plan to add some long exposure through a debit spread, or a bull put spread, to even out our deltas so our portfolio takes a more neutral stance. There is no doubt that the air is getting thin at these levels. But, as we have seen recently, just when you think the market might take a turn, the bulls make an appearance.
Just a quick heads up, I’ll be adding several new positions early next week. We currently have four positions in the portfolio and my immediate goal is to get back up to between six and eight positions using our ladder-based approach for consistent, weekly income.
Dogs of the Dow Portfolio (DOW), Buffett’s Patient Investor Portfolio Alert (GOOGL)
After a surprising gap higher, MMM has continued to follow through with its recent trend higher, with nary a pullback. As a result, we need to buy back our calls and once again extend our deltas back into positive territory.
I’m adding another new bear call spread to the mix and intend on adding several more trades over the coming days.
I want to lock in a return and look to sell more put premium in XLU over the next few trading days. By locking in a return in XLU, our total returns for Income Trader will exceed 160% for the first time since inception.
We are finally through March expiration and volatility continues to remain at low levels. Volatility is starting to perk up a little, but the VIX still sits below 15, at 14.41. Until we see a sustained push towards the 18 handle, we should expect to see market complacency rule the day. A return to more normal levels of volatility (18 to 22) would allow us to expand our positions. Until then, we patiently wait for Mr. Market, and more importantly, probabilities, to lead the way.

Our Income Trader portfolio continues to shine with a total return of 159.2%.

We should be able to add to our total this week by locking in profits on our most conservative position, PFE. It’s only a paltry 1.4%, but the wheel approach lives on singles and doubles. Since we introduced PFE to the income wheel approach we’ve made a steady 30.89% in total returns (16 trades) while the stock has lost over 40%.
Earnings season is behind us, but as always, there are a few companies yet to report earnings. Micron (MU) is our focus this week. With an IV rank of 93.1, it makes sense to look at a potential trading opportunity in the company, which I’ve done in the trade ideas below. The range we created looks nice and wide, while the premium is at attractive levels. The company is due to report after the closing bell today, so if we decide to place a trade look for an alert around mid-day Wednesday.

Cabot Options Institute Quant Trader is focused exclusively on creating consistent returns using high-probability options strategies including bear call spreads, bull put spreads, iron condors and more. Whether you have questions about the strategies, or even about setting up your account, or how to make your own trades, Andy will answer all of your questions
Dogs of the Dow Portfolio Alert (VZ, AMGN), Buffett’s Patient Investor Portfolio Alert (GOOGL)
I’m going to hold on to my March SPY iron condor and will close towards the end of the trading session tomorrow or Friday depending on the price action over the next two days. When I do close, I only plan on closing the bear call side and will allow the bull put side to expire worthless.
Cabot Options Institute Income Trader is focused exclusively on the creating consistent income through a variety of options selling strategies. Whether you have questions about selling puts, covered strangles, jade lizards or our income wheel approach, Andy is more than happy to help you steepen your learning curve in this live event.
For those who are new and wish to enter a trade, all of the details are listed in the alert (as always) for those wanting to initiate a position. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at andy@cabotwealth.com.
We locked in 5.7% in BITO and 7.8% in GDX last week bringing our total return to 159.2%.

Our GDX position was “called away,” so I plan to start the income cycle over again in GDX by selling some puts early this week.

I plan to add at least one more stock to the portfolio this week, especially if we see the market pullback, which will bring our total to seven stocks. Moreover, I intend to continue to ladder our positions in perpetuity, so we are collecting premium on a weekly basis. As it stands, we have positions due to expire over the next four consecutive weeks.
Earnings season is mostly behind us, but there are a few stragglers yet to report on the calendar. Oracle is on the agenda this week. With an IV rank of 99.9 it makes sense to look at a potential trading opportunity in the company, which I’ve done in the trade ideas below.

The company is due to report after the closing bell today, so if we decide to place a trade look for an alert around mid-day today.
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