In the episode, Russ explains what to do now with a Presidential election about 26 days away.   Market indexes are also at or near all-time highs.  What do we do? Russ covers 5 topics on this episode (or five courses of action) including: 1.) Writing covered calls – at higher (sometimes stretched) prices - OTM (out of money) by 3%-5%. 2.) Selling (or writing) cash backed put options (at a strike price that is 95% of today’s stock price). 3.) Tighten up Stop Loss Orders to 4%-5% down from...

In the episode, Russ explains why the stock market is 50% science and 50% art.  Everyone seems to want to use logic and mathematical formulas to control (or solve) the stock market.  What they don’t realize is that there are millions of individuals all playing in the same place at the same time with different ages, objectives, risk tolerances, etc..  Add in their emotions (of fear and greed) and you quickly realize you can’t reduce the stock market to a predictable outcome or a mathematical...

In the episode, Russ explains the Box Spread options strategy.  This strategy is another 4 -legged options strategy in that it puts two spread trades together.   It is like the Iron Condor options strategy on the credit spread side, but the Box strategy is two debit spreads put together.  Russ discusses the type of interest rate environment to use this strategy in and also shows two examples to bring the strategy to life. 

Russ discusses this adjustment / ptotection strategy with markets at all-time highs.   He discusses when and why one may want to adjust and protect their covered call trades.  If the underlying stock (or ETF) has gained and is strongly above the call strike price written when you are already into a trade, is there anything you can do if you wish to protect your covered call trade?  The answer is yes and Russ discusses what the adjustment mechanics are and gives an example.     Don’t Forget...

Russ discusses how to use a combination of options strategies to simulate the risk & return graph of a stock.  He also discusses the wrinkle he adds to the core strategy to cut off the downside below a certain percentage.  He also gives an example.  You can use this strategy to simulate multiple stocks as well in a portfolio.  Don’t Forget to subscribe to the show!

  Episode #91: Reg-T Margin vs. Portfolio Margin Russ discusses the types of accounts margin is used for, the pros and cons of each and the differences between Regulation-T margin and Portfolio Margin.  The origins of Portfolio Margin are covered and the types of strategies to use this type of leverage on.  Remember margin, of all types, is a loan from the broker-dealer to you based on your assets.   This means margin loans can magnify your winners or magnify your losses.  Be careful... but...

  Episode #90: Mega ROTH Ira vs. The Backdoor ROTH IRA Russ discusses the differences between the Mega ROTH IRA and the Backdoor IRA.  Overfunding your workplace retirement plan and funding your Traditional IRA conversion to a backdoor ROTH IRA.  Why you would want to do this and the mechanisms how to do so.  The income limitations for Contribution limits for the workplace retirement plan and the income limits on the ROTH IRA and how to get around them.  Don’t Forget to subscribe to the show!

In the US, the government passed Secure Act 2.0 on December 29th, 2022.  It was the most important and expansive piece of legislation affecting retirement savings since ERISA in the 1970’s.  In this episode, Russ unpacks the key questions he gets from clients and others about: the age increases, contribution limits, RMD changes, 529 (college savings plan changes), automatic wokplace retirement plan participation qequirements, qualified charitable distributions, etc.  This podcast is not...

To accumulate wealth, you must learn more than "Buy and Hold."  In the is episode of the Modern Stock & Options Trading Show, host Russ Mathews, goes through some key ideas for generating cash flow and how to keep more of what you generate.  He covers: the types of tax preferred accounts to trade in, how to use the leverage of options, concepts of margin and how it can turbo charge your accounts (though it can be a double edge sword), how to get paid in debt etc.  He also covers how...

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ lays out the 8 trends / themes that he is currently focused on.   He covers where we have been and where we are going into 2024.   Context is key to investment performance as we have seen volatility since the summer.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

Episode #86 – Can You Predict Earnings Season Ahead of Time  In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ lays out the 3 Step process to get a read on whether Earnings Season will be good, bad, or neutral ahead of time.  Q4, 2023 earnings season is about to start (Oct. 18th – Nov. 8th), and many investors are wondering will earnings be good?  Should I remain defensive or start to get positioned for a year-end, ‘Santa Clause’ rally?  Russ lays out a way (in advance) to...

EBITDA is one on the most used measures of earnings for stocks.  In this episode, Russ covers what EBITDA is, how it is calculated, why investors care and the pros and cons of this earnings measurement.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the standard portfolio construction / asset allocation structure of 60% stocks / 40% bonds.  This portfolio structure has been around for 50+ years and is a standard for investing.   A series of 'bear markets' since the year 2000 and changing interest rates has pressured this ‘standard’ structure.  Russ explores what thsi portfolio is and how new investment products have changed the nature of this allocation today.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the 7 largest mistakes investors & traders make.  From taking too much risk to trading without a written plan with an edge, each risk is discussed and how to overcome each one.  Helping traders to avoid these mistakes is key to long term success in investing.    Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores how your investment timeframe determines many other investment decisions.    Investment timeframes are described, and then the decisions that are influenced.  From asset class selected, to the amount of reliance on technical vs. fundamental analysis, chart timeframes, news, macroeconomics, etc.    He also discusses how investment timeframes can influence each decision.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the multidirectional & murky investment environment now.  From what is happening with inflation, to the FED pausing interest rate hikes, to unemployment to real estate to cash and cash alternatives.  The economy is difficult to get a read on right now.  How do you invest in this multidirectional, confusing environment?  Russ explores a 3-step process that helps bring some certainty to the confusion.  He also discusses the narrow rally to date and how it...

In this episode, Russ explores the definitions and pros and cons of stock buybacks vs. dividends.  There is some debate about what the best way is to return capital to shareholders.  Russ explores the definitions, the pros and cons of each way to return capital and provides his perspective on which is best in which type of account.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

We are in the heart of earnings season.  What are the different ways to play earnings?  Russ goes through the different option strategy choices and then focuses on one of his favorite ways to play earnings.  He covers the Iron Condor with the short strike prices outside the expected price move.  The example he goes through from this week is on Amazon.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ discusses several scenarios for waiting to add the protection leg to your trading strategy.  In other words, when you have strong directional conviction in how an underlying stock or ETF will move, Russ shows how you can wait (delay) legging into the trading strategy.  You can wait to add the second leg (or protection leg) to the trade.  This delay, when you are directionally correct, can increase your returns and improve your outcomes.  Russ shows examples for three...

A listener asked – is Direct Indexing a good idea?  This is a topic that many people have been getting pitched by many Wall Street Firms.  Is this a good strategy? In this episode, Russ covers: What is direct Indexing; the Pros and Cons of Direct Indexing, where Direct Indexing fits in the portfolio. Plus he shares his views on the regional banking crisis over the weekend. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

There are several ways a company can access the public markets to raise capital.  Russ covers the pros and cons of each – the Initial Public Offering (IPO), the Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC’s), Regulation CF, etc.  In addition, he presents his 5-point checklist for when investing in these companies is a YES and when it is a NO. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!  

The hottest new technology causing discussion and a global shock is Chat GPT (& its competitors) and how such conversational AI (artificial intelligence) is changing the game for many industries.  Russ explores his thoughts on how AI will affect the world of investing and trading.  What it is good at and what its limitations are.  He provides a framework for how to think through the various applications of the new technology.        Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Options Trading Show, Russ takes a view on how to measure the risk of a stock.  While Russ concedes that there are many ways to measure the risk of an investment – he covers the top 5 ways he uses – BETA, ALPHA, The P/E RATIO, STANDARD DEVIATION & R-SQUARED and how he uses each.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ covers alternatives to holding cash in the bank (from least risky to most risky).  From money market funds and high-yielding money markets to preferred stock ETF’s, many of the alternative choices are covered based on Russ’s recommendations and experience. The trade-offs and decisions between liquidity, risk and guarantees (FDIC, the full faith & credit of the US Government, etc,) are covered as well.  Don’t forget to...