Whipsaw Wednesday

The Wednesday before options expiration is usually the most volatile trading session of the entire month. This is a time when the institutional traders will try and shake out most of the small retail options traders that have positions in the popular leading stocks. Look at the action in stocks such as NetFlix Inc.NFLX, and Apple Inc.AAPL yesterday and today. These stocks have traded all over the map today. Please understand that most small options traders never exercise their options positions. They simply look to close out their positions for the premium gained or loss before the option expires.

Yes, there are major problems going on in Japan today that are very serious, however, the rumors and the news stories seem to get over exaggerated during the week leading up to options expiration. This is a time to trade the best chart pattern setups and to follow the charts. If the action becomes too volatile or erratic for traders they can simply stay on the sidelines and wait for better chart setups. Traders and investors do not have to be in the market during every minute of the day or week. This type of action today is exactly why we call this day of the month, Whipsaw Wednesday.

Nicholas Santiago
InTheMoneyStocks.com