[image](=) [image] This Week in the Market The market was all over the place again last week as the Ukraine crisis and inflation concerns linger and are most likely to carry over into this week. That said, the market seems to want to move higher if the past couple of weeks are any indication. Several stocks and indexes are up at resistance levels and have pulled back but not enough to imply that a bearish reversal is imminent. A non-bearish (not bullish but believe support will hold) outlook may be warranted heading into this week. Implied volatility levels and option prices have really come down over the past several weeks with the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) currently just under its 200-day moving average. With last weekâs unemployment report behind us, it is a fairly slow week as far as expected economic report releases. But there are several of significance, including the latest notes from the last Federal Reserve meeting expected on Wednesday afternoon. Quarterly earnings remain slow, but the action will start the following week with several financials expected to report. Have a healthy, prosperous and happy week, and remember you are a risk manager first! Apr 4: Factory Orders
Apr 5: Trade Deficit
Apr 6: FOMC Minutes
Apr 7: Jobless Claims
Apr 7: Consumer Credit
Apr 8: Wholesale Inventories [Read Our Blog]( Hard vs. Mental Stops for Options Traders When to choose hard vs. mental stops as an options trader is a topic that comes up frequently in my daily group coaching classes and one-on-one coaching sessions. The truth is, it is not an easy answer. When it comes to options, stop losses can be a little tricky as compared with an investor who buys and sells stock. Bid/Ask Spreads For one thing, bid/ask spreads tend to be a little wider for options, which means there is more ground to make up than there would be for many equities, which have a tighter bid/ask spread. There are plenty of times in options trading when you are thankful to just get back to breakeven on some trades because of the spreads. Imagine an option position that has [Continue Reading ...]( MTM Watchlist Here are several trade ideas we will most likely look at in group coaching class this week: AAPL â After a crazy bullish run higher over the past couple of weeks, the stock pulled back this past week. Potential bull put and bull call spreads will be examined with a bullish start to the week. GLD â The ETF continues to trade in a channel gapping higher and then lower. Potential short iron condors will be considered between support and resistance levels. JPM â Banks have underperformed and had trouble keeping up with the market. Several are announcing earnings in the next couple of weeks, but potential bear put spread with this Fridayâs expiration may not be out of the question. [image] We're honored to have Dan's Book Trading Option Greeks listed as one of the [Best Options Trading Books]() by New Trader U. [Buy Now on Amazon]( The strategies in this newsletter are for educational and informative purposes only. All information disclosed in this newsletter should not be considered complete in its entirety. Market Taker Mentoring, Inc. will not be held responsible for changes, oversights, errors or omissions. Dates, prices, news and other information may not be accurate. Please verify all information before trading. You alone are responsible for your own investment decisions. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Option (ODD), which can be obtained from your broker; by calling (888) OPTIONS; or from The Options Clearing Corp., 125 S. Franklin St., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606. No statement in this newsletter is intended to be a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security or to provide investment or trading advice. Traders and investors considering options should consult a professional tax advisor as to how taxes may affect the outcome of contemplated options transactions. Copyright Market Taker Mentoring, Inc. 2008 - 2022. All rights reserved. Reproducing or redistributing this content is a violation of federal law. [image] If you do not wish to be contacted via email, you can unsubscribe using this link: [Unsubscribe]( Unsubscribing from email notifications DOES NOT cancel your class, subscription or recurring payments. We recommend that current students do not unsubscribe from email notifications. If you unsubscribe from email notifications, you will not be notified on how to access the classes or subscriptions in which you are enrolled. Market Taker Mentoring, Inc. PO Box 117 Frankfort, Illinois 60423 United States