How to Trade 0 DTE SPX Credit Spreads for a Living

How to Trade 0 DTE SPX Credit Spreads for a Living

How to Achieve 45% ROI with Zero DTE Credit Spreads

Overview of the Trade

  • The speaker achieved a 45% return on investment (ROI) in one day using zero days to expiration (DTE) credit spreads.
  • A put credit spread was sold on SPX (S&P 500 Index), specifically at strike prices of 5775 and 5770, resulting in a five-point spread.
  • The total credit collected from trading six contracts was $930, leading to maximum profit since SPX ended above the sold put price.

Understanding Profit and Loss

  • Maximum profit occurs when SPX closes above the sold put price of 5775; maximum loss is incurred if it falls below the protection leg at 5770.
  • The calculation for ROI is based on maximum profit ($930) divided by potential maximum loss ($2700), yielding a 45% return.

Trading Strategy: MAAC Framework

  • The strategy involves four steps encapsulated in the acronym MAAC: Market Trend, Area of Interest, Criteria of Entry, and Stop Loss.

Market Trend

  • Identifying market trends is crucial; traders should follow whether it's an uptrend, downtrend, or sideways movement.

Area of Interest

  • Look for areas of support and resistance with higher than average implied volatility to identify potential trade opportunities.

Criteria of Entry

  • Ensure there are valid reasons for entering trades, such as candlestick patterns indicating bullish or bearish intent.

Stop Loss

  • Set stop losses promptly after entering trades to minimize potential losses effectively.

Analyzing Market Conditions

  • On October 22nd (the day before the trade), an uptrend was observed in the market despite short-term consolidation.

Identifying Support and Resistance Levels

  • Key support identified around 5770 due to previous swing lows; resistance noted at approximately 5878 based on prior highs.

Trade Execution Insights

  • Additional support levels were confirmed around 5820; these levels guide bullish or bearish trading decisions depending on market behavior.

Candlestick Patterns as Entry Signals

  • Strong rejection signals at key levels can indicate potential bearish trades; however, confirmation through candlestick patterns is essential before executing trades.

Conclusion: Applying MAAC Principles

Trading Strategy Insights and Analysis

Understanding Entry Criteria for Bullish Trades

  • The speaker identifies a potential support level at 5780, expressing interest in trading bullishly if confirmation of the trend's continuation is observed.
  • Areas of support and resistance are linked to higher implied volatility; the speaker references a video for deeper understanding of this concept.
  • A second candlestick formation is crucial; entry criteria require it to break above the high of the previous candle for confirmation.
  • The specific entry point is set at 5777, indicating that once this level is breached, a trade will be initiated based on market confirmation.
  • A stop loss is established slightly below the formed candle at around 5770 to manage risk effectively.

Risk Management and Trade Evaluation

  • The rationale behind setting a stop loss is discussed; if the market retraces back to 5770, exiting the trade allows for reassessment without significant losses.
  • The risk-to-reward ratio is highlighted as favorable (1:3), with potential losses capped at $50 per spread against anticipated gains of approximately $160.
  • Emphasis on strategy over results; acknowledging that both winning and losing trades are part of trading experience.

Analyzing Market Trends and Short-Term Strategies

  • Discussion shifts to short-term market consolidation; breaking past support could indicate a downtrend forming lower lows.
  • Entry criteria for bearish trades involve waiting for price action below support levels, allowing traders to capitalize on downward trends through call credit spreads.