WoMD said:
Forgive my ignorance on this topic, but I'm having trouble understanding this run up and the optimism on this board regarding gains going forward from where we are currently. With no end in sight to this shutdown and the ongoing progression of the covid situation, what is making everyone behave like we're on our way back already? Even if we control the disease outbreak within the next month or two, the economy still won't be back up and running. So what's driving this optimism? It seems premature to me...
This is a trading thread. Most of us aren't married to any stock entered. That's the first, and main point. The next is the economy is secondary to the golden goose, until the golden goose dies or can't print money. TWO TRILLION DOLLARS in stimulus has a tendency to move markets. That has given the markets the energy seen to move off lows.
That leaves your point about the eventual requirement to see the economy growing again, once the stimulus effects are gone. I don't know the answer to that so taking profits, into today's move is the prudent thing to do. Doesn't mean it was a one day rally, just that using options for remaining potential move upward becomes the smart way to extend a successful trade. And if you had a $14 gain on a stock go ahead and buy a Put for $2 of those gains; especially if you only sold a portion of held trades.
And we still bought the SPY straddle off the close because one thing is for certain - the markets aren't capable of holding serve at key inflection points. It's going to move well enough up or down by Wednesday for the option trade to work.
Now imagine if you had posted your thoughts last week. I would wager most would have agreed with you and not been buying shares of stocks 10%+ lower than today. They would have sat on their hands and I can guarantee you most did just that. Therefore, while you are making logical statements the markets will do what they will do.