If you plan to engage in option trading then you will need to understand the two types of option trading systems currently being used in the market today. They include discretionary and mechanical. A trader or investor using the discretionary method does not use a particular technique, process or method but instead makes trading decisions based on his current knowledge or speculation on the market for that day. The mechanical options trading require traders to understand and select stocks, determine entry and exit strategies, and transform these methods into objective processes, usually by way of a computer application. The advantage of the later process is the elimination of human judgment and possible error based on speculation rather than actual trends and analysis.
Year ago I migrated from discretionary to mechanical option trading in order to gain more consistency with successful option trading. I developed a mechanical option trading system called the Star Trading System (http://www.mastersoequity.com). You can develop your own mechanical trading system utilizing the following guidelines:
1. Stock Selection
Begin developing a list which includes criteria which must be true for a stock to quality as a viable option trading opportunity. Quantify and research the criteria you are using to develop your strategy. Use a computer application that will allow you to record the criteria you have established and then compare the stocks you have selected against your dependencies. You can cross verify your finding with stock information from the internet to formulate your final stock selections.
2. Option Selection Procedure
After performing your stock selection analysis you can more confidently begin selection of a stock that meets your established criteria. Additionally you can create your option trading system using OTM options or ITM options as well as basing it on current market conditions. Market conditions can be bullish or bearish at the time you are making your selections so you could include this factor into your overall analysis.
3. Entry Procedure
Once you make your conclusions as to which stock to watch and which option to buy, you will need to decide what conditions will invoke a purchase. This decision could be simply to purchase at market opening or be more complex and require watching the underlying stock movement for a pre-determined timeframe making that purchase. Use your option trading system to help navigate these decisions.
4. Exit Procedure
When you have open position you will need to determine when to take a profit or when to stop a loss. The two exit strategies include Stop Loss and Profit Taking. Stop loss in option trading is based on the percentage loss of the option position or based on the percentage loss on the underlying stock. Profit Taking is based on the target price or the percentage gain on the option position. Once you have established this criteria your broker assist in the automation of this transaction. Many traders proceed to a stop loss or profit taking based on emotions, which is why brokers develop automatic processes to control these actions. If your broker does not support include automatic mechanisms and you tend to make emotional decisions, then you should find a broker that with these offerings.
Your next step is to name your option trading system and use it for 6 months. Do not set your expectations high on getting it perfect the first time. Creating a profitable option trading system take time, knowledge and experience.
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