By Lawrence G. McMillan

This article was originally published in The Option Strategist Newsletter Volume 4, No. 9 on May 11, 1995. 

We have written about the usefulness of the equity and index put-call ratios in attempting to predict the direction of the stock market. The ratios are useful in that we can see when "too many" puts or calls are being bought and interpret them in a contrarian manner. For example, if "too many" puts are being bought, then speculators are bearish and, by contrarian thinking, we should be bullish. The main problem with any contrary indicator is in determining what is actually making up the data.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

McMillan Analysis Corp. president, Lawrence G. McMillan, discusses the current state of the stock market. Watch below.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Overbought conditions proved to be more than the positive charts of $SPX and $VIX could handle, and there was a sharp, but short-lived correction this past week. That correction ripped right through the first support level at 3090 on the $SPX chart. However, support held at 3070 near an area (3065- 3070) that had previously been support, so it is now reinforced.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

John Bollinger has done a lot of work discussing the ramifications of the width of Bollinger Bands. In short, if the Bands are too close together (too compressed), then volatility is “too low,” and the market is due for an explosive move – probably to the downside. Conversely, if the Bands are quite far apart, then volatility has gotten “too large” and a contraction in volatility – and probably a stock market rally – is at hand.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Watch McMillan Analysis Corp. president, Larry McMillan, discuss the current state of our option-oriented indicators and what they are saying about the stock market below.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Stocks continue to move higher without much interruption. A very slight pullback last week triggered a couple of sell signals, but those were quickly obliterated by another strong rally this week. The market remains overbought, but "overbought does not mean sell."

$SPX traded and closed at new all-time highs on the last three days. It has now done so 13 times since October 28th. The upward trend is strong, and moving averages are rising quickly along with the Index. There is sup

By Lawrence G. McMillan

This article was originally published in The Option Strategist Newsletter Volume 14, No. 17 on September 9, 2005. 

In our last issue, we discussed the general concepts of leverage: trading stocks on margin, trading futures, and options – either long or naked. The most important point that was made is that leverage is neither inherently good nor bad, for it is within your control. If you want less of it, then boost your investment to reduce the leverage; if you want the maximum amount of it, fine – but be aware of the increased risk and reward percentages that accompany high leverage.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Watch Option Strategist, Larry McMillan discusses the current state of the option oriented indicators and what they are saying about the stock market.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The broad market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has continued to rise, making new all-time intraday or closing highs on six consecutive recent trading days, culminating (so far) with November 19th. This move has not been reflected in some of the technical indicators, however, and so there are some divergences, sell signals, and extremely overbought conditions arising.

By Lawrence G. McMillan

This article was originally published in The Option Strategist Newsletter Volume 14, No. 9 on May 12, 2005. 

Occasionally, options on a particular entity (usually a stock or, less frequently, an index) will become so skewed that they are actually skewed in two directions – both horizontally and vertically. We saw dually skewed situations with some frequency in the fall of 2002, when traders felt that there was substantial risk of near-term volatility (hence, a horizontal skew arose), coupled with the possibility of further large declines in stock prices (so a reverse, or negative, skew arose as well).