Jeff Carter has a degree in economics from University of California at Davis and began working in the brokerage industry in 1985. Jeff has been the editor of The Complete Report since 1987. I hope you enjoy this first part of our fascinating conversation.

Optionetics: How did you first become interested in trading the markets?      

Jeff: I started with an interest in financial planning, but when I saw that the profession required much more salesmanship than I was comfortable with I became interested in trading and trading strategies. I like games and trying to identify future events, and trading fits right in with those interests.

Optionetics: Do you ever use options and if so what are your favorite strategies?

Jeff: My favorite strategies are put-writing and credit spreads, two strategies that are more slow-moving, grind-it-out strategies than what most people associate with options.

Optionetics: What are the things you like best about the trading business?

Jeff: I like following the markets every day. I’m also a sports fan, and the stock market is basically a sporting event that is in-season year around.

Optionetics: How do you treat losses and how to go about establishing their risk tolerance before the trade is entered?

Jeff: One thing about options is that you can identify your total risk in advance. When you buy an option, the cost of the option is the most you can lose. When you write a put, the cost of the stock you might have to buy is your risk. But I don’t consider that a risk as I would not write a put on a stock I didn’t want to buy. Writing puts is a way to buy a stock at a lower price. And if the stock price doesn’t fall, you still pocket the income you made from writing the put.

Optionetics: Thanks, Jeff,for sharing your trading approach with our Optionetics reading audience.


Jeff Neal 
Senior Writer, Options Strategist & Profit Strategies Radio Show Market Correspondent
Visit Jeff’s Forum
Listen to Jeff at www.ProfitStrategiesRadio.com