Trailing Stop Loss use with Options

Discussion in 'Interactive Brokers' started by Bodrey, Sep 21, 2023.

  1. Bodrey

    Bodrey

    I want to preface this by saying I know some people are against using Stop Losses period when it comes to trading Options. That said, the authors of most trading videos I've ever watched stress the importance of risk mitigation, including using Stop Losses. So, that in mind...

    I'm wondering if it's ever advisable to use a Trailing Stop Loss when trading Options? Or, does it depend on the trading strategy being used?

    For example, let's say I'm bullish on SPY's short-term trend and want to place a Put Credit Spread on it. Would I be better off using a traditional Stop Loss or could a Trailing Stop Loss be used?

    I've tried placing Stop Losses on various stocks/ETFs using Support Level values but sometimes I still get stopped out only to see them rally again. So, instead is it advisable/preferable to choose a Stop Loss value based on say, a stock's 1-Month low, the lower Bollinger Band, a 2ATR, or some other metric?

    TIA for everyone's time and input
     
    luislarcor1963 likes this.
  2. There is no correct answer... some stops are more logical than others. Stops are an art.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2023
  3. taowave

    taowave

    Do yourself a favor and do the work. Check out Orats and run the Backtests...Fwiw,ORATS is predominantly and options based program...

    If you want to get a better grasp on Indicators,money management and various stops,check out Quantshare or AMibroker,thogh there may be easier program out there.

    Regardless,put the time in




     
  4. Bodrey

    Bodrey

    Taowave,

    Do you use Orats' screener? If so, how accurate are the win rates when you back test the strategies on trade candidates that you then trade?
     
  5. IMO
    • Options are too volatile to use a stop.
    • One of the legs of a spread is your stop.
     
  6. taowave

    taowave

    Yes,I use the screener for ideas,but use the "Chain" to customise. So I really do not look at win rates as I typically delta hedge. D% is my measuring stick