FOMC day.
pause as expected.
market happy.
the decision #
2pm EST: fed holds rates steady
no surprise. market expected pause.
SPX rallied 0.8%.
VIX dropped to 14.
my trades #
pre-FOMC:
positioned with iron condors (wide, neutral).
sold into elevated IV.
post-FOMC:
IV crushed as expected.
closed condors for profit. +$1,420
the lesson (again) #
FOMC days are predictable:
- IV pumps before decision
- decision happens
- IV crushes regardless of outcome
sell premium. don’t bet on direction.
works almost every time.
account update #
pre-FOMC: $521,320
post-FOMC: $522,740
FOMC day gain: +$1,420
simple. mechanical. profitable.
rest of week #
thursday-friday: holiday wind-down
light trading. taking profits.
christmas week next.
11:42pm wednesday. FOMC day done. rate pause as expected. SPX +0.8%, VIX → 14. sold premium before, bought back after IV crush. +$1,420. account $522,740. mechanical approach works. holiday wind-down rest of week.
-AK