Elements of the Template

The Trade Finder Templates are designed to allow you to ‘visually trade’.

When evaluating a position, a Bull Put for example, the template automatically sets up the trade.  You can use the rolling icons to adjust the position:  Roll the position up/down, roll out the time frame, adjust the strikes, etc.   You can even adjust the Net Credit(Debit) of the trade in an attempt to get a more favorable entry cost/credit.

The Performance Channels show the profit/loss of the position.

The P/L summary at the bottom left of the screen shows the Risk/Reward ratio,  Net/Total Credit (Debit),the break-even stock price point,  the max reward/max risk with corresponding stock price.

A snapshot on the right side of the screen, provides a visual structure of the strategy, what market conditions are favorable to the trade, whether volatility and/or time positively, negatively or is neutralized by the strategy.

Greeks and Volatility are also shown.

 

Once satisfied with the position set-up, click ‘Trade’ and the order will auto-fill in the “Order Ticket” of your brokerage account.

Important!  While adjustments may to the template may be made, the system limits what can be changed in order to stay within the constraints of the strategy.  This safety measure ensures you stay in the type of trade you intend to be in.


Adding & Arranging Indicators

Select to add to your studies.
Indicators are grouped by Upper Indicators (which will appear on the Chart) and Lower Indicators (listed below the chart)
Once selected, you can customize the parameters – including the type of line you want for Moving Averages.
The upper Indicator selection summary appears above the chart and has an associated toolbar that allows edits (gear) hide/display(eye), refresh, or remove..

 

Lower indicators can be displayed/hidden, move placement up/down, or delete it to truly customize your view.  

 

Make sure to Save Your New Chart Settings

 

Note:  You cannot alter System Views: Active Trader, Options or Standard View.  You will be prompted to either Overwrite or Save as a New Profile another available profile, such as Default or another Personal View.


Historic & Implied Volatility

This chart displays Historic (HV) and Implied (IV) Volatility with the ability to overlay Call/Put IV

Historic Volatility (green line) is based on how the stock actually moved.

Implied Volatility (blue line) is based on how the options are priced.

When expanded, the stock chart 12-Month Mean (Average) IV and one-year IV High/Low (red line) are also shown. This is very helpful in understanding if option premiums are comparable to historic values.

High HV indicates recent strong movement.

High IV indicates higher premium and, in many cases, anticipated movement.

Note:  You can remove the Stock Chart, HV, IV or Call/Put IV simply by clicking on the corresponding indicator above the chart/graph.


Entering a Position

You can enter a position to analyze by clicking on ‘Ask’ for buying or ‘Bid’ for selling.  You can also directly enter the quantity in the entry box.  (Note: make sure to indicate a selling position with a minus (-) sign).

For positions that include the underlying stock, such as Covered Calls, Protective Puts & Collars, enter the stock quantity in the upper right corner of the chain window.

You can change the click quantity amount by changing the default-click parameter (found at the top of the Option Table) for 1x, 5x or 10x.


Customizing Indicators

Customize Indicator Settings – even in different Chart Profiles!

Customize the settings by clicking on the “Add Indicator” box at the top, center of the screen. Scroll to the Indicator you wish to add/edit.  Left-click on the selection for a customization box to appear.

The Indicator window shows which settings can be changed.

Bonus!  You can save different settings for the same indicator in different chart profiles.  No need to change settings from one profile to the next.

In addition to the settings, this feature also provides a description of the indicator and the default settings.


Where are the Greeks?

You may come across instances on the Options Chain where Delta, Gamma, Theta & Vega fields are blank.

This occurs when the Extrinsic Value of the Option Strike Price is Negative.   Negative numbers cannot be used to calculate the sensitivity of an option’s price underlying stock price changes, changes in volatility and passage of time.

Some platforms may place a ‘0’ (zero) vs. keeping the field blank.  This is not entirely accurate, as ‘0’ is a valid number


Zoom Feature

Activate the Zoom Feature on the Chart by clicking on the Icon as shown:

The icon will darken when activated – or, depending on your theme, may show up brighter:

You can then “Click/Drag” your cursor.

A “Reset Zoombutton will automatically appear on the new display.   When you are finished with your studies, simply click the same icon to restore the original time-period setting.


Trend Lines, Notes & Shapes and Advanced Annotations

Customize your charts with Trend Lines, Notes and Advanced Annotations.

These tool icons are available above the chart, just below the Indicators drop-down box.


Each Annotation can have a Default Setting.  This means all initially created lines, for example,  will have the same settings, such as color and thickness.

Select your Annotation.
Draw it on the chart.
Click to display the dialog setting.
Adjust settings, then click “Save as Default.”
“Reset” will revert to initial settings.

You can still customize individual lines by saving the settings instead of saving as Default.

Fibonacci Too!

 

The Fibonacci Annotation has been enhanced to allow you to select which Retracement Levels you want to view, in addition to adjusting the color for each and the overall transparency.

The settings can be set as the Default for new chart entries or customize each entry, then “Save”

**Please note: Existing Fibonacci annotations cannot be edited with this new coding.  They must be deleted, then added back.


Clicking on any Trend Line, Note, or Advanced Annotation, will display the “Annotation Settings” box for that entry.  

The Annotation Settings box can be repositioned elsewhere on the platform, if needed.

Line Color, Line Width and if applicable, Background Color and Transparency can be changed.

Be sure to click ‘Save’!

Note:  Parallel channels are initially drawn horizontally.  To change orientation click on the annotation then grab one of the ‘edit dots’ to drag to the position you wish.

Then click “Save” on the dialog box.


Click on graphic to view examples of editing the color/sizing 

Click on graphic to view examples of moving and changing end points of charting annotations. 


Crossover Arrows

The Crossover Arrows   identify the crossover points on indicators.

For upper indicators, you can select 2 indicators and the chart will show the crossover arrow.

Example:  If you select the 5 day and 20 day SMA the Green arrows will show the 5/20 crossover points when in an upward movement, Red for downward.

Only 2 moving averages can be selected at a time when utilizing this tool.  If you wish to make a change to another moving average indicator,  one must first be deselected before adding the new indicator.

 

 

indication


Profit/Loss Graphs

Any position entered in the Options Chain (Calls+Puts, Calls or Puts) will automatically display a profit/loss risk graph.  The P/L Graph shows the Trade Profile Performance from the current day.

You can compare up to three (3) positions on one graph by utilizing the Camera Icons.  Once you complete one trade scenario, click the first camera then click ‘New’.  Structure your second trade scenario, click on the second camera.   To add a third scenario, click new to structure an additional trade.  The graphs will overlay.