[quote author="IrvineRenter" date=1223015730][quote author="blackvault" date=1223014325][quote author="IrvineRenter" date=1223005348]Straddles are going to be extremely expensive right now, so I doubt that will work. The market trend is clearly down, but stocks are also deeply oversold. IMO the best strategy would be to wait for the bounce and short it off the 10-day moving average.</blockquote>
Your strategy will work as well, but not sure why you think straddles won't work. You need 100% return in puts or calls to break even on a straddle. If they pass the bill, the market will likely shoot up pretty high and continue that trend short term, then come back down. If the bill doesn't pass, then the market will tank and continue that trend probably for a longer period of time. Looking at a 1 year window, stocks will continue to go down overall IMO.
If bill gets passed DOW will rise 800-1200 pts short term and then slowly trickle back down.
If bill gets vetoed DOW will fall 950-1400++ pts short term and then slowly trickle further down from there into a staggnant economy.
Each is enough for a 100%+ return IMO.
However, I think I will also use your strategy on probably AAPL or GE.</blockquote>
With the VIX being so high, the premium you will be paying for those options is going to be astronomical. Getting that 100% return is going to be more difficult than you might think.</blockquote>
IR - I have watched BV's trades in the Panda Challenge and although I would not recommend anyone else to try his straddle technique, BV seems to be very successful with them.