September 14, 2018

Seeing A Possible Double With Take Two!

U.S. retailers posted the weakest sales in August in six months and only an increase in purchases at gas stations prevented an outright decline, but the soft patch in spending is unlikely to last. Retail sales rose a scant 0.1% in August, the government said Friday. Economists polled by Market Watch had forecast a 0.3% increase. The numbers would have been even worse if not for a 1.7% spike in spending at gas stations. Retail sales omitting car fuel fell 0.1%. One saving grace in an otherwise drab report was a sunnier look at what consumers spent in July. Retail sales were raised to show a 0.7% increase instead of 0.5%.

*Source:  Market Watch

Let’s consider Take Two Interactive Software (Ticker: TTWO):

The VantagePoint platform recently indicated upside momentum.

Using the predictive indicators embedded within the VantagePoint platform and its predictive AI technology, we will point out four significant things. We have a bullish crossover indicated by the blue predictive indicator line crossing above the black simple moving average on September 12th.  We can combine that with the VantagePoint propriety neural index indicator moving from the RED to the GREEN on September 11th.  This indicator measures strength and weakness for a 48-hour period, in this case, strength.  The move to the GREEN position further makes the case for a potential bullish scenario. We also have the predicted high and low above yesterday’s actual high and low indicating further strength.  Add to that all three predictive differences are above the zero line and positively sloped.  I want to play the VP continued bullish indication.

Strategy Discussion

For active traders with a shorter investment time horizon, you can consider a setup utilizing options. Given the market conditions outlined above, taking an active, premium debit approach may be the best path to success.

Because of the reasons given above, the purchase of a debit call spread may be one way to approach this situation.  You will first want to calculate your target strike.  In order to do this, you will need three pieces of data:  current price, expiration date and the implied volatility associated with that expiration date.  For TTWO, that yields a targeted strike of ~$146.00.  You may want to consider the TTWO October 12th weekly expiration 144/146 call spread, buying it for $0.40.  The most you can lose is the premium paid and the most you can gain is the width of the spread less any premium paid.  Max risk = $0.40 and max reward = $1.60.

This means that you are getting odds of 4.00:1.

Given the trading and market environment outlined above, a trader must evaluate whether this reward/risk ratio is appropriate for his/her risk tolerance.

If you would like to learn more about the VantagePoint platform and take advantage of the exclusive offer that our clients enjoy, please visit:

https://discover.vantagepointsoftware.com/prosper-demo/

about the author:

Mike Shorr

Since 1994, Michael has been an on-the-floor market maker, Vice-President of Interest Rate Derivatives for Knight Financial Products and Director of Education and Options Instructor at Trading Advantage. He makes the oftentimes complex world of options and trading accessible to the novice and advanced trader alike. Michael has a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Finance from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He presently is Director, Trader Education at ProsperTradingAcademy.

Read Similar Articles

May 8, 2024

What Is Delta In Options Trading?

Understanding the Delta of an option is crucial for both new and seasoned traders. It’s one of five specific calculations called “Greeks,” which help measure specific factors that could influence the price of an options contract. Delta is a metric that helps you gauge how much the value of an option contract is expected to […]

Read Article
March 28, 2024

Wait! There Is An Options Greek Called Rho?

Out of all the Greeks in options trading, Rho is capable of providing uniquely critical insights that others cannot offer. Rho measures an option contract’s susceptibility to changing interest rates. We’ll explain how Rho by defining its specific functions, how interest rates impact options trading, and cover some pertinent scenarios. What is Rho in Options […]

Read Article
March 25, 2024

You Have A Lot Of Options Out There

There are a number of different types of options expiration types.  In the vast majority of our signals, our options will be categorized as “American”-style options.  There are some, like VIX options, that are “European”-style options.  Here’s a quick explanation of both. The term “American style” in relation to options has nothing to do with […]

Read Article

Read Similar Articles

May 8, 2024

What Is Delta In Options Trading?

Understanding the Delta of an option is crucial for both new and seasoned traders. It’s one of five specific calculations called “Greeks,” which help measure specific factors that could influence the price of an options contract. Delta is a metric that helps you gauge how much the value of an option contract is expected to […]

Read Article
March 28, 2024

Wait! There Is An Options Greek Called Rho?

Out of all the Greeks in options trading, Rho is capable of providing uniquely critical insights that others cannot offer. Rho measures an option contract’s susceptibility to changing interest rates. We’ll explain how Rho by defining its specific functions, how interest rates impact options trading, and cover some pertinent scenarios. What is Rho in Options […]

Read Article
March 25, 2024

You Have A Lot Of Options Out There

There are a number of different types of options expiration types.  In the vast majority of our signals, our options will be categorized as “American”-style options.  There are some, like VIX options, that are “European”-style options.  Here’s a quick explanation of both. The term “American style” in relation to options has nothing to do with […]

Read Article