We Are Totally Screwed

Posted by ep, Sep 16, 2008 2:42PM

Here ya go, "hedge fund manager":

Product Specifications
S&P 500 ® Index Options

Symbol:
SPX

Underlying:
The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks from a broad range of industries. The component stocks are weighted according to the total market value of their outstanding shares. The impact of a component's price change is proportional to the issue's total market value, which is the share price times the number of shares outstanding. These are summed for all 500 stocks and divided by a predetermined base value. The base value for the S&P 500 Index is adjusted to reflect changes in capitalization resulting from mergers, acquisitions, stock rights, substitutions, etc.

Index Components

Multiplier:
$100.

Premium Quote:
Stated in decimals. One point equals $100. Minimum tick for options trading below 3.00 is 0.05 ($5.00) and for all other series, 0.10 ($10.00).

Strike Prices:
In-,at- and out-of-the-money strike prices are initially listed. New series are generally added when the underlying trades through the highest or lowest strike price available.

Strike Price Intervals:
Five points. 25-point intervals for far months.

Expiration Months:
Three near-term months followed by three additional months from the March quarterly cycle (March, June, September and December).

Expiration Date:
Saturday following the third Friday of the expiration month.

Exercise Style:
European - SPX options generally may be exercised only on the last business day before expiration.

Last Trading Day:
Trading in SPX options will ordinarily cease on the business day (usually a Thursday) preceding the day on which the exercise-settlement value is calculated.

Settlement of Option Exercise:
The exercise-settlement value, SET, is calculated using the opening (first) reported sales price in the primary market of each component stock on the last business day (usually a Friday) before the expiration date. If a stock in the index does not open on the day on which the exercise & settlement value is determined, the last reported sales price in the primary market will be used in calculating the exercise-settlement value. The exercise-settlement amount is equal to the difference between the exercise- settlement value, SET, and the exercise price of the option, multiplied by $100. Exercise will result in delivery of cash on the business day following expiration.

Position and Exercise Limits:
No position and exercise limits are in effect. Each member (other than a market-maker) or member organization that maintains an end of day position in excess of 100,000 contracts in SPX (10 SPX LEAPS equals 1 SPX full value contract) for its proprietary account or for the account of a customer, shall report certain information to the Department of Market Regulation. The member must report information as to whether such position is hedged and, if so, a description of the hedge employed. A report must be filed when an account initially meets the aforementioned applicable threshold. Thereafter, a report must be filed for each incremental increase of 25,000 contracts. Reductions in an options position do not need to be reported. However, any significant change to the hedge must be reported.

Margin:
Purchases of puts or calls with 9 months or less until expiration must be paid for in full. Writers of uncovered puts or calls must deposit / maintain 100% of the option proceeds* plus 15% of the aggregate contract value (current index level x $100) minus the amount by which the option is out-of-the-money, if any, subject to a minimum for calls of option proceeds* plus 10% of the aggregate contract value and a minimum for puts of option proceeds* plus 10% of the aggregate exercise price amount. (*For calculating maintenance margin, use option current market value instead of option proceeds.) Additional margin may be required pursuant to Exchange Rule 12.10.

Cusip Number:
648815

Trading Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Central Time (Chicago time).

Position and Exercise limits are subject to change.

Posted by ep, Sep 16, 2008 2:53PM

"Milt Pappas threw the last no-hitter for the Cubs 9/2/72."

The two no-hitters in short succession explains the long secular bear.

Posted by ep, Sep 16, 2008 3:11PM

"EP,

Suggest you sell those puts. S&P 500 is up 1% right now. Markets like no rate cut and no bailout."

Clearly, you haven't been looking at the no-hitter technicals.

Posted by ep, Sep 17, 2008 12:04AM

"according to your graph the market shot up around the time he did it."

Oh yeah. "Shot up." From 975 to 1000. Whoo!

You should know that it was Hooten who started the beginning of the end. Real Cubs fans don't like to talk about Pappas's perfect game that was ruined by bad officiating causing a bullshit walk for the 27th batter he faced.