TradeStation Help

Position Search Wizard/Format Search - Holding Period

The Holding Period represents the amount of time that you want to stay in a position evaluated by the Position Search. Position Search will use the period you select to identify the most profitable positions. The Position Search uses your selection for the holding period along with your selections for Volatility and Underlying Asset Target Price to calculate theoretical options prices.

At the end of the holding period you select, Position Search assumes that you will close the position. Any options with expiration dates beyond this holding period might be considered for any positions identified depending on other assumptions and strategies that you select in the Position Search wizard. However, any options that expire before or within this holding period, will not be considered for any positions identified.

 Analyzing the impact on your position of different holding periods may be done in a Position Chart once you have selected a position(s) and copied it into an Analysis window.

 Access from the Position Search Wizard/Format Search - Strategies, or Format > Search and select the Holding Period tab.

Holding Period

Contains the desired settings you want to use for the date to close your position.

• Close the position by the end of the session on the nearest expiration date - Select this setting to exit your position at the next expiration based on today's date. For example, stock options always expire the third Friday of each month.
• Close the position after [number of] day(s) at the end of the session - Select this setting to define a specific number of days for your holding period. The default number of days is 30, however, you can enter a different value in the box.
• Close the position on [date] at [time] - Select this setting to specify an exact date and time that you want to use to exit your position. Select a date from the drop-down calendar or enter a date in the Date box. In the Local Time box, enter the time you want to close the position.

 Expiration rules vary for different types of options. The Position Search will automatically recognize the type of option (stock, or index), apply the appropriate expiration rule, and identify the appropriate options to consider for any identified positions.

 From the wizard, click Next to proceed, Back to display the previous dialog, or Cancel to exit without changes.

 From the Format > Search menu sequence, click OK to apply changes or Cancel to exit without changes.