Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:01:34 PM EDT | 03/08/2010
Trade Update!!!
By Gregory Clay | We are immediately closing out all the MDY Bull Put spread contracts

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:57:29 AM EDT | 03/07/2010
Stocks had a big week, but the market is overbought
By Gregory Clay | A few weeks ago the bears where in charge, now the bulls are calling the shots

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:39:19 PM EDT | 03/01/2010
Trade Update!!!
By Gregory Clay | We are trading a March QUARTERLY option series SPY Iron Condor

Couch Potato Trader Updates
07:32:23 PM EDT | 03/01/2010
Published Couch Potato trades for the past eight months
By Gregory Clay | Our Trades have been profitable - the current market environment should support future net gains!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:00:41 AM EDT | 02/28/2010
Good start for our March play
By Gregory Clay | The recent market behavior is beneficial to our Iron Condor trades

Couch Potato Trader Updates
06:13:00 PM EDT | 02/21/2010
March MDY Option Symbols
By Gregory Clay | Clarification concerning March MDY Option Symbols

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:48:08 AM EDT | 02/21/2010
We are initiating a March MDY Iron Condor
By Gregory Clay | Will the Bulls and Bears battle to a stalemate?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
07:02:25 PM EDT | 02/16/2010
Trade Update!!!
By Gregory Clay | We reversed our fortunes and are cashing out of February with a nice gain!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:57:05 AM EDT | 02/14/2010
Maybe this correction has bottomed?
By Gregory Clay | Momentum indicators and oscillators are turning from bearish to neutral

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:59:24 AM EDT | 02/06/2010
Is it party time for the Shorts?
By Gregory Clay | Are the shorts getting ready to party like its 1999 (or at least like the winter of 2008), or are they in for more heartache and pain?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
02:55:56 PM EDT | 02/04/2010
Trade Update!
By Gregory Clay | We have a nice gain by closing out our SPY and DIA call spreads

Couch Potato Trader Updates
07:59:01 PM EDT | 01/31/2010
Correction to DIA Adjusted Bull Put
By Gregory Clay | This is a correction to the DIA Adjusted Bull Put table displayed in yesterday's Couch Potato - I apologize for any inconvenience.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:12:24 PM EDT | 01/30/2010
The stock market is reacting wearily to political and economic uncertainty
By Gregory Clay | Due the recent higher volatility we need to keep a sharp eye on our put spreads and plan our next move to minimize potential losses and unacceptable risk

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:20 PM EDT | 01/26/2010
Trade Update!!!
By Gregory Clay | We are putting the SPY in play because the market has signaled that the premium dollars justify the risk

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:48:23 AM EDT | 01/24/2010
Clarify Trade Update!
By Gregory Clay | Clarification to the Bull Put spread trade adjustment

Couch Potato Trader Updates
06:37:04 AM EDT | 01/24/2010
Trade Update!
By Gregory Clay | We are doing a trade adjustment to roll-down the DIA Iron Condor strike prices

Couch Potato Trader Updates
03:56:35 PM EDT | 01/16/2010
February 2010 Trade
By Gregory Clay | We are starting off the February option expiration month with a DIA Iron Condor!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:37:55 PM EDT | 01/13/2010
We are exiting our January positions!
By Gregory Clay | We are starting the year off profitably by closing out January with nice gains!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:28:06 AM EDT | 01/10/2010
Looking to start the year with a nice profit!
By Gregory Clay | Another week similar to the past few weeks and we should be able to close-out January with nice gains!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:01:45 PM EDT | 01/04/2010
Trade Alert!
By Gregory Clay | We are closing out all the Put spread contracts at a nice profit!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
05:58:09 PM EDT | 01/02/2010
Our January credit spreads are all profitable!
By Gregory Clay | We suggested that as long as volatility levels remained near 52-week lows that we could expect our Iron Condor plays to increase in value, this is exactly what happened

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:46:57 AM EDT | 12/27/2009
We added to our gains this week!
By Gregory Clay | This is the optimum market environment for our Iron Condors

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:46:04 AM EDT | 12/20/2009
Good start for our SPY and DIA positions
By Gregory Clay | There appears to be credence to the perception that traders are content to lock in profits for the year

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:05:02 PM EDT | 12/10/2009
January 2010 Trades
By Gregory Clay | We are opening DIA and SPY Iron Condor positions

Couch Potato Trader Updates
06:18:38 PM EDT | 12/09/2009
Another profitable trade
By Gregory Clay | We are closing out the profitable Put Spread!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:44:28 PM EDT | 12/08/2009
Updated Iron Condor Trade
By Gregory Clay | We are closing out the Call Spread position of our Iron Condor for a nice profit!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:13:19 AM EDT | 12/06/2009
December Iron Condor is showing nice profit
By Gregory Clay | The base-case scenario for us is another week similar to the past two so that we can close our position early and lock in gains

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:36:22 AM EDT | 11/29/2009
Who will provide jobs?
By Gregory Clay | It is being suggested that the White House is buying into the Wall Street proclamation that the deficit, not unemployment, should be the government's top economic priority

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:51:59 AM EDT | 11/22/2009
What might drive the market higher
By Gregory Clay | Several market strategists have opined that the stock markets continued advance is being supported in part by the recent flurry of mergers and acquisitions

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:00:36 PM EDT | 11/21/2009
Couch Potato Reader Survey
By Jim Brown | We are looking at remodeling the various newsletters produced by Option Investor in 2010.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
00:01:43 AM EDT | 11/12/2009
December Iron Condor Trade
By Gregory Clay | Many investors and media analyst seem to fixate on the Dow Jones Industrial average penetrating the key psychological level of 10,000. But technical analyst seem more focused on whether the S&P 500 can make a resounding break through another key level!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:52:15 PM EDT | 11/11/2009
Updated Iron Condor trade
By Gregory Clay | We are taking advantage of the opportunity to close out our open positions and retain profits from the November Iron Condor spreads

Couch Potato Trader Updates
00:07:12 PM EDT | 11/07/2009
Good week for our Iron Condor!
By Gregory Clay | The lack of jobs is what is putting a lid on the ability of the stock market to advance

Couch Potato Trader Updates
04:19:54 PM EDT | 11/01/2009
Current Trade Update
By Gregory Clay | Close out Bear Call spread for nice profit

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:55:59 AM EDT | 10/24/2009
This has been an interesting week for the market!
By Gregory Clay | Why isn't the market continuing upwards at an accelerated pace?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:05:18 AM EDT | 10/18/2009
November Iron Condor Recommendation
By Gregory Clay | Many of the bullish hawks are suggesting a minor correction is due prior to the next bull leg.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:15:32 AM EDT | 10/15/2009
Current trade recommendation
By Gregory Clay | Trade adjustment to minimize risk and prepare for option expiration!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:19:34 AM EDT | 10/10/2009
Current trade recommendation
By Gregory Clay | We recommend closing out the entire Bull Put spread for a nice profit!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:37:28 AM EDT | 10/04/2009
More bearish distribution days
By Gregory Clay | Many people feel that bearish distribution days represent institutional selling and signifies a change in market sentiment

Couch Potato Trader Updates
01:09:15 PM EDT | 09/25/2009
October Iron Condor Recommendation
By Gregory Clay | We are following up on a profitable September with trade recommendations for October!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:27:22 AM EDT | 09/25/2009
We are closing out the September Iron Condor
By Gregory Clay | We are recommending closing out the remaining SPY call spread for a nice profit!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:09:24 AM EDT | 09/19/2009
Is there is any substance to the current Bull Run?
By Gregory Clay | There is still a lot of cash "on the sidelines" and as the market improves this money is invested, this scenario helps explain why stock and bond prices are both moving higher when they more typically move in opposite directions.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
06:07:52 PM EDT | 09/13/2009
Should we spend or should we save?
By Gregory Clay | Collectively, businesses pulling back on lending and consumer reluctance to use available credit indicates spending will remain weak and adversely impact the economic recovery!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
01:54:53 AM EDT | 09/10/2009
More Iron Condor Trades
By Gregory Clay | The market cooperated and we have the opportunity to add more premium dollars to our September Iron Condor position!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:58:38 AM EDT | 09/05/2009
Quarterly options provide additional flexibility
By Gregory Clay | Many traders love quarter months because if you decide to do a trade adjustment, rolling out to options that expire on the last day of the month provides more flexibility.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
03:25:13 PM EDT | 09/02/2009
Close out Bear Call spread for a nice profit
By Gregory Clay | Traders are worried about the financial sector and concerned that the six-month rally of more than 50 percent is overextended, therefore they are locking in gains.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:21:53 AM EDT | 08/30/2009
Day traders are bidding up the prices of low-quality financial stocks!
By Gregory Clay | Financial institutions that owe the federal government billions of dollars have accounted for a inordinate amount of stock-market volume the past month!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:03:32 AM EDT | 08/26/2009
September Iron Condor Recommendation
By Gregory Clay | Whether you prefer to trade based on positive financial reports or negative economic data, you have it all!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:30:01 AM EDT | 08/23/2009
Is the economic crisis over?
By Gregory Clay | It was reported that the general consensus is the worst of the economic crisis is over and the economies of France, Germany and Japan have emerged from the recession and the U.S. appears to be turning the corner as well.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:00:55 AM EDT | 08/16/2009
Has the term "unexpectedly" become become the new "less bad"?
By Gregory Clay | It is easy to presume the official "expectation setters" already have secure jobs, abundant healthcare, safe retirement funds – which is why they can set expectations for those who don't?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:41:37 AM EDT | 08/08/2009
Will it be a W, U, or V?
By Gregory Clay | The prevailing economic theme for the moment seems to be "less bad is good". Eventually, we need to move from "not too bad" to truly positive economic results, with net job growth, expanded manufacturing, real wage increases and a truly confident consumer.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:17:36 AM EDT | 08/02/2009
What is driving the market surge?
By Gregory Clay | Investors ignoring negative economic data and responding to favorable financial news seems to indicate that people are looking for a reason to participate in the market rally.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:15:41 AM EDT | 07/26/2009
Time for an attitude adjustment
By Gregory Clay | Now would be about the time for consumers to jump start the economy. But this recession is different because consumers are in no position to dig the economy of a hole, until they are, businesses won't expand.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:56:50 AM EDT | 07/19/2009
Very Profitable July
By Gregory Clay | Prominent NYU professor Nouriel Roubini known as Dr. Doom is predicting the current recession will end soon!

Couch Potato Trader Updates
00:19:44 AM EDT | 07/14/2009
August Iron Condor trade recommendation
By Gregory Clay | The Dow industrials and the S&P 500, which had their best gains since June 1, rebounded sharply after registering weekly percentage drops for four straight weeks.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:20:01 AM EDT | 07/12/2009
SPY Iron Condor is doing well
By Gregory Clay | Data suggest there may be a rough road ahead for U.S. workers that have seen job prospects dry up due to the economic downturn.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
04:22:50 PM EDT | 07/04/2009
SPY Iron Condor is profitable
By Gregory Clay | The unemployment numbers reported this week appeared to surprise investors. Many analysts had surmised that the slowing rate of unfavorable economic data foretold an imminent economic recovery.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:26:23 PM EDT | 06/28/2009
SPY Spread is doing well
By Gregory Clay | An interesting tidbit gleaned from the unemployment data that was reported several weeks ago was the fact that the 55 and older age group was the only segment of the population with positive net job growth.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:40:15 PM EDT | 06/22/2009
Calls Closed For A Profit
By Gregory Clay | There was no major economic data released Monday, but the market may have been spooked by the announcement that the World Bank estimated the global economy will shrink 2.9% in 2009.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:09:19 PM EDT | 06/21/2009
Position Update
By Gregory Clay | We successfully fulfilled our trade criterion, which was to generate a minimum .55 net credit on each leg of the Iron Condor. The legs are the bear call spread (short lower strike, long higher strike), and bull put spread (short higher strike, long lower strike).

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 06/14/2009
July SPY Condor
By Gregory Clay | We are looking at doing a SPY Iron Condor. SPY is the ticker symbol for the SPDR Trust. SPDR is an exchange-traded fund (EFT) that holds all of the S&P 500 Index stocks. This EFT seeks to correspond generally to the S&P 500 Index. Compared to the other major index-related ETFs, depending on the market mood, generally the SPY has relatively high volume, low volatility, and good credit spreads.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 06/13/2009
Sideways Profits!
By Michael Drew | We continue to be in the sweet spot with Iron Condors and covered calls in today's market. The RUT is our primary vehicle for this strategy and it has moved about nowhere in a week.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 06/06/2009
Six Weeks Until Expiration
By Michael Drew | We have 6 weeks till July's expiration and as premium sellers this is where you should have most of your positions on. One of the keys in selling spread / condors / calendars etc�is not only the theta of the position, but also leaving yourself time / space to adjust if and when it goes against you.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 05/30/2009
Hard not to get Cynical?
By Michael Drew | I work hard to keep my pulse on the marketplace in general to get a cross section of the feel of retailers / restaurants / larger employers etc. The constant that I'm hearing is that retail seems to be inching back but it could get worse before it gets better.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 05/23/2009
End of the Recession by Years End! Drink the Kool-Aid?
By Michael Drew | Our writers have a fantastic knack at educating all of us on the general economics to give us what we need to make better decisions.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 05/16/2009
Taking a Break
By Michael Drew | This could be the start of a very profitable range-bound summer for us. Most of our May positions worked out great. Our first June position is working out well.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:30 PM EDT | 05/09/2009
Positive Thetas!
By Michael Drew | This week on CNBC the talking heads were scratching their chins saying, the fundamentals have to catch up to the recent run up here sooner or later. As a trader - you obviously have to have your own opinion on where the market is going. We are in a short-term bullish trend and if you are trading condors in this market you can continue to do well, but stay on your toes.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:10:29 PM EDT | 05/03/2009
Sell In May and Go Away?
By Michael Drew | We should be so lucky as traders. We love sideways markets! Swine Flu and most all economics aside, the market put in a mild consolidation week.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:10:29 PM EDT | 04/25/2009
6 WEEKS Up and then a Pause
By Michael Drew | Like the little engine that could, I’m proud of the indexes, these persistent uptrends can be an absolute pain to trade, especially when they are so amazingly persistent. That said, we’ve been up now for 6 weeks of which is respectable and rare.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
01:56:09 PM EDT | 04/23/2009
Couch Potato Trading Update
By Michael Drew | We began tracking the bull put spread to have some Nasdaq exposure during the run up. It is time to go ahead and begin tracking a bear call spread on the top.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
05:30:08 PM EDT | 04/15/2009
The Tax Man Cometh!
By Michael Drew | If you are like me, this is such a fun time of year to reconcile the hundreds of transactions you’ve done over the year.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:56:35 PM EDT | 04/05/2009
Couch Potato Update
By Michael Drew | As I wrote last week, tons of stocks are showing solid tradable bottoms. Considering that we are using a more theta positive, overall neutral strategy, I was hoping for some shorter term weakness to get a bit better position for some additional trades.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
03:56:02 PM EDT | 03/30/2009
Couch Potato Trader Update
By Michael Drew | For those of you who are either new to this game or have traded a few thousand contracts, we are going to be trading Iron Condors and other credit spreads, and tracking the greeks to manage our positions.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
05:08:54 AM EDT | 03/24/2009
Couch Potato Trader Update
By Michael Drew | More Bullish news on Monday morning. Bottoms in the stock market are so much more dangerous than tops, so please be very careful.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
03:59:42 PM EDT | 03/20/2009
Couch Potato Trader Update
By Michael Drew | The consensus out there is not that we’ve hit some sort of longer term bottom, the trend is still basically down and we cautioned to trade small during these times. The VIX has tanked from the mid-50’s to the mid-40’s and lets go ahead and see what the market will bear.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:50:56 PM EST | 03/07/2009
Couch Potato Trader Update
By Michael Drew | We’ll continue to give you great updates in this column. Let’s dig into it. In order for a true trader to be successful, they need a plan. Lets get into how to reduce risk, hedge positions going against us and have some fun along the way. First things first, we trade with an edge, always. What is yours?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:29:21 PM EST | 03/01/2009
The Times are a Changing
By John Gray | We need to look after ourselves

Couch Potato Trader Updates
05:30:50 AM EST | 02/21/2009
This Market Has an Attitude
By John Gray | Unrealistic expectations prevail

Couch Potato Trader Updates
03:44:35 AM EST | 02/17/2009
Couch Potato 101 – Part 3 of 3
By Michael Drew | Entry Methods and 1 "Must-Know" Rule of Exits

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:40:11 AM EST | 02/14/2009
Coiling
By John Gray | A big move coming?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
02:56:42 PM EST | 02/10/2009
Heavy Weather Approaching?
By John Gray | How much is a trillion dollars?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:36:44 PM EST | 02/08/2009
Couch Potato 101 – Part 2 of 3
By Michael Drew | Continuing with the theme of generating consistent monthly income, consider yourselves lucky. Virtually everyone has high-speed internet and real-time quotes, data, and a host of tools are free these days. How to put them all together into a valid, profitable plan is why we leverage newsletters and experience (and failures) of others.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:30:36 PM EST | 02/04/2009
Who am I?
By John Gray | Why should you trust me?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
01:39:47 PM EST | 02/04/2009
For you Gunslingers out there.
By John Gray | This is not for new traders or the faint of heart.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
07:30:01 AM EST | 02/04/2009
I am still learning my way
By John Gray | Update on yesterday's Bear Call spread

Couch Potato Trader Updates
10:15:35 AM EST | 02/03/2009
Looking for the topside
By John Gray | Let's see if we can complete the side.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:48:17 AM EST | 02/02/2009
Where do we stand?
By John Gray | Perhaps it is time to make a move.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
04:36:51 PM EST | 02/01/2009
Couch Potato 101 – Part 1 of 3
By Michael Drew | You and I have enjoyed the OptionInvestor newsletter for years. The intelligent part of us has been wooed by the savvy market analysis and if you are anything like me, you’ve learned a ton.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
11:06:40 PM EST | 01/31/2009
Changes at Couch Potato Trader
By Jim Brown | I apologize for taking so long to send this update on the new CPT format. I have been in discussions for a month now with different people on improving the CPT and I wanted to wait until I had something definitive to say before I wasted your time with an email.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:37:46 AM EST | 01/29/2009
New and Improved?
By John Gray | It makes it a little easier to see

Couch Potato Trader Updates
07:53:19 AM EST | 01/26/2009
Some Housekeeping
By John Gray | It's time to reexamine some things.

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:31:14 AM EST | 01/21/2009
Thinking Outside the Box
By John Gray | There is more than one way to skin a cat

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:32:36 AM EST | 01/19/2009
European versus American
By John Gray | What's fact and what's fiction?

Couch Potato Trader Updates
08:49:47 AM EST | 01/18/2009
Looking for more nuggets
By John Gray | RUT is our next target

Couch Potato Trader Updates
09:58:56 AM EST | 01/15/2009
A New Beginning
By John Gray | If we knew where this was going.

Earlier updates: 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008