Investing Analyst
Structured workflow for thesis-driven equity and options trading. Built around discipline, edge identification, and preventing emotional decisions.
Pre-Trade Checklist (3 Gates)
Run all 3 before every options entry. See references/pre-trade-framework.md for full detail.
| Gate | Question | Pass Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Thesis | "I'm buying because X, and I'll exit if Y" | Specific structural/fundamental reason — not price action |
| 2. Edge | Do you have real informational advantage on this name? | Names you've researched deeply for >3 months |
| 3. Entry Timing | Thesis confirmation or price movement? | Thesis confirmation + technical trigger |
If any gate fails → don't trade.
Options Pricing Workflow (IV vs HV)
Before any options entry, compare Implied Volatility to 30-day Historical Volatility:
- IV > HV significantly → Options EXPENSIVE. Prefer spreads to reduce premium paid.
- IV ≈ HV → Fair pricing. Long calls acceptable with clean thesis.
- IV < HV → Options CHEAP. Long calls or straddles can make sense.
Use the Black-Scholes template sheet for theoretical pricing (make a copy for yourself):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_Q9ZpGzA2zmuaBmE0R2XVdZHpRnWA2PRNSfmpDXf1as/
See references/options-signals.md for expected move calculations and earnings IV crush guidance.
Position Management Rules (Non-Negotiable)
- Set max loss before entry. No exceptions.
- Never add to a losing options position. Ever. (The Escalation Rule — see references/pre-trade-framework.md)
- Close spreads with <2 weeks to expiry regardless of P&L if ITM
- Take profits: Set target at entry, close ≥50% when hit
Trade Types
| Type | Examples | Edge Level |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Catalyst | Names you know deeply — earnings cadence, metrics, guidance patterns | High |
| Contrarian Structural | Stocks at technical extremes with fundamental thesis | High (with trigger) |
| Macro/Index | SPY, QQQ LEAPs | Medium — size small |
| Momentum/FOMO | Hot names during runs without a thesis | None — avoid |
Full playbook per trade type: references/pre-trade-framework.md
Trade Log Template
Fill before every entry. If you can't fill it, don't trade:
Date:
Ticker:
Structure (e.g. $30C 3/20, bull call spread $190/195):
Entry debit/credit:
Max profit / Max loss:
THESIS: I'm buying because...
INVALIDATION: I'll exit early if...
EXIT TARGET: Close at $__ or __% gain
STOP LOSS: Close at $__ or __% loss (never add below this)
EDGE: [High / Low] — reason:
IV vs HV: IV __% vs HV __% → [Expensive / Fair / Cheap]