A Bear Put Spread Can Help Investors Profit In Down-Trending Markets

By Lou Manning


The most recent drastic downturn in the stock market after years of a virtually unrelenting upwards trend shocked a large number of traders. Being able to trade effectively, irrespective of the type of trend is an important facet for survival. Ways of trading at lower risk, such as a bear put spread, are important additions to a trading toolkit.

A number of investor steer clear of falling markets, although they offer huge profits to those who know how to handle them. While bull markets generally rise more slowly and last longer, down market do not last as long and falls are sharp, driven by panic. This pattern means that, once you know how to trade these markets, they are highly profitable

It might be that people are unaccustomed to falling markets, or because the negative associations make them nervous. This makes such market conditions great for those who know how to profit, as the competition is less, and may often be making losing trades. Knowing how to take benefit from all market conditions makes a trader really versatile, and means there is less pressure to take unnecessary risks.

Anybody who is serious about trading should make a point of learning to trade options. While the common view is that options are risky, this is only true for those lacking the necessary skills to handle these sophisticated instruments. In reality, the trader can determine what risk he will accept and there are ways of limiting potential losses, while the volumes traded daily provide many opportunities.

One popular way of limiting the risk is by the use of spread trades This usually involves buying two options, designed to hedge against potential losses. While profits might be reduced, the lower risk is sufficient compensation. Good traders are much happier knowing they will not suffer huge losses, and consistent gains can be very profitable.

Trading should not just be a straight gamble: here a professional approach will mean that you do not depend on always being right. Gamblers can easily become greedy and get wiped out as quickly as they build large fortunes. Not only that, but it is easy to splurge after a big win, leaving no reserve for the bad times. Gambling should be reserved for the race track or sports fields.

Good traders are really hard-headed about risk, and control it very carefully. They know how easy it is to become too greedy, and that successful gambles can easily lead overconfidence. Long term success as a trader depends on getting your emotions and greed under strict control, and resisting the temptation to snatch at risky, short-term gains.

Controlling the risk is probably the most important factor for those who trade for a living. The options markets offer the best means of taking control and setting the amount of risk you are prepared to accept. You cannot always be right, but all you have to do is gain more when you are right than you lose when you are wrong. To this end, you need to understand all the tools, including the place a bear put spread plays in an investment strategy.




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