2009 expiration
27 comments / December 26, 2009
The year 2009 is almost gone, and trading has been fairly quiet as usual during the last weeks. Plenty of time to look back on the events of 2009.All Options to buy Saen Options
One of the few main events this year happened straight in the first month. January 28th the market maker All Options announced to take over rival firm Saen Options. The latter had experienced a troubled 2008 due Volkswagen positions, and All Options was happy to buy some television airtime with the Beursplein 5 former trading pit.
Clan warfare remained low among traders, but the merged firm fired scores of employees in the fall of 2009, including some well known senior positions. The results of All Options didn’t benefit however, and the traders will receive no bonus over 2009.
AEX drops to 1995 levels
A great buying opportunity happened end of february / beginning of march this year. The AEX index dropped below the 200 points level, last seen in July 1995. As we all know, the financial melt down didn’t occur, and the index climbed some 72% to levels above the 330.
Van der Moolen early signs of trouble followed by bankruptcy
Analyzing the VDM quarterly report with some general derivative trader common sense was the first post on this company. Still patting myself on my shoulder re-reading my post on their weird dividend losses. One month later it turned out the balance sheet of the firm clearly carried some obvious weak spots. Traders left the firm to form Caerus Trading, and a few weeks later VDM was dead and buried. Other remains of the firm continue in several new ventures.
Optiver – Binck deal still allowed
The initiative by Optiver and Binck to route all Dutch retail flow straight to the books of Optiver did absolutely gain momentum this year. The market maker lobby couldn’t reach a consensus and has no opinion on the largest and most dangerous threat to the rest of the market. The financial watchdog AFM and other relevant institutions don’t interfere (yet). Nobody trusts Optiver, and Optiver won’t trust their employees. Mobile phones are banned at the office.
Last & least
And, last and least, this site Amsterdamtrader will see it’s very first anniversary next week. Thanks to everyone who helped with content and grammar in the posts, thanks to the contributors in the comments and the visitors of course. Everyone is invited for the Amsterdamtrader-one-year-anniversary party on January 8th in the Beurs van Berlage. Cheers!
Hi Trader Jack, maybe it would be nice to have a poll on projections/expectations for the year 2010: Which companies will go down, which ones will flourish, will optiver win their court case against Tibra, will Optiver lose their case against CFTC, will Trader Jack expose himself, what's your market (in months) in the lifespan of the VDM spin-offs, etc.
my market in atompro is at 6 months…they stop producing for clients and will continu only for intern use.
Glad they quite. there software was worse each update !
so if THEIR software was that shitty, how do you know?! QUIT wining here, and good luck with your search for new software.
Anyone know about a decent alternative for AtomPro ? I like their system…
I would like to see a list of 2009 trading profits for all big trading companies.
yea, that would be awesome to see the list!!
I would like to see 1Bln Euro's on my personal savings account… is ALSO something that's NOT gonna happen!
Oh come on, we can make a list. Start with All Options. That's easy.
'Please note that Equities Engine 1 has failed'… well done again Euronext!
Every company has their own technical glitch from time to time. Despite this they are still by far the most prominent exchange in Europe.
Nice picture to celebrate new year
Richard DD and his friend (59th picture)
http://www.aiglon.net/alumni/
Please stop bashing RDD and consider making a donation to Frank Vogel's charity to start the new year with a bang:
http://www.gsfsfoundation.com
Frank has done such stellar work cheating the tax authorities. I'm so PROUD to have helped him set up his prearranged trades, it was such an honour. As much as I would like to take all the credit, I couldn't have done it without Linda M. and Eugene ten B. A tip of my hat to you guys. And after destroying Van Der Moolen in the process, Frank Vogel really deserves your help and support.
Peace+Love
Egbert
sent from my Blackberry
Why is my company always getting bad press here. We do have some good traders at All Options and are the largest growing market maker in Europe. Happy New Year! AJ
Very well done, AT, whoever you are. A most excellent and incisive column.
– Randall Liss (RML)
AJ not AT
AT = Amsterdam Trader
AJ = Allard Jakobs
Probably not the same person..
The AJ above is not the real AJ of course. The real AJ would never mention "my company". A large percent is owned by the traders. When AJ fails it also hits their wallets. That's why they love him so much.
By the way – should charge you for using a shot of our trading floor! 🙂
@Dec 29, 17.13:
All Options: +21.1 million before costs, -23,5 million after costs before tax, up to and including Dec10. Projected end-of-year loss 29 million.
Correction: up to and including Oct09.
imc has a similar loss
you mean IMC amsterdam has a similar loss? I heard IMC US, IMC Asia, and IMC Zug made money. Especially the US is supposed to have done well.
do you know all option account for 2008 for sure?
this is big
AO is one big joke !!!
why ?
just read