Alpaca Options Agent

Paper trading · auto-refreshes every 30s

Competition result — 2026-08-31 to 2026-09-03 (judged window)

Final equity
$99,383
P&L
-617
Return
-0.62%
Closed
6
Win rate
33%

Official P&L window: 31 Aug 09:30 ET → 4 Sep 09:30 ET, scored on total account equity at the EOD 3 Sep snapshot. Started at $100,000.

Live now — after the window, still trading

Equity
$96,988
Realised P&L
-2,272
Open
5
Closed
36
Win rate
22%

The agent keeps running past the competition. On 4 Sep a deadline rule force-exited every position each tick while entries stayed open, so one contract was repeatedly bought and re-sold before it was caught and fixed — those round trips are in the post-window table below, and they fall entirely outside the judged window above.

Open positions

contractunderlyingrightqtyentrystoptargetexpirythesis
NFLX260918P00076000NFLXput111.6777.6773.042026-09-18Move is only -0.67 ADR with RVOL 3.2, a meaningful but not extreme momentum signal, so favor a slightly OTM-to-ATM put with more time (10 DTE) over the 3 DTE contract to avoid rapid theta decay while price still develops. NFLX260918P00076000 offers a tight 1.2% spread, solid delta (-0.47) for directional exposure, and decent liquidity, balancing responsiveness with time cushion better than the 3 DTE or the wider-spread 38 DTE options.
SPY260918P00765000SPYput36.21769.69760.482026-09-18Move is only -0.53 ADR with modest RVOL 1.51, so signal is decent but not extreme; picking a ~10 DTE, ~0.45 delta contract with tight 0.5% spread and strong prior-day volume (5525) balances momentum exposure with liquidity/theta risk better than the tighter 3DTE contracts which offer little room or the longer-dated ones that overpay for a moderate signal.
ARM260918C00280000ARMcall110.30261.49299.862026-09-18Momentum is solid (RVOL 1.96, +1.1 ADR move) but not extreme, and the 280 strike offers a much tighter spread (2.5% vs 9.1%), higher liquidity, and reasonable delta (0.45) for cleaner execution and risk control versus the wider, less liquid 300 strike.
GOOGL260918P00330000GOOGLput27.15331.53322.432026-09-18Move is only -0.53 ADR with RVOL under 2, so momentum is moderate but not extended, giving room to work; this contract offers the best liquidity (2279 prior volume) and tightest spread among the near-ATM ~-0.5 delta options with a reasonable 9 DTE window.
SHOP260918P00130000SHOPput44.05138.04116.202026-09-18Strong downside momentum (-1.51 ADR move, RVOL 1.60) supports continuation, and the near-the-money put has reasonable delta (-0.45) and acceptable spread (6.3%) for a 9 DTE contract; position sizing should stay modest given the move is already somewhat extended.

Closed positions — competition window

contractqtyentryexitP&Lreason
MSTR260918C0014000028.759.95+240underlying 142.72 reached target 142.69
AVGO260918P0034500019.956.05-390underlying 353.64 broke stop 353.51
IWM260918P0029000063.282.18-660underlying 295.81 broke stop 295.34
TSLA260918C00365000111.706.95-475premium -41% at or below -40%
AAPL260909C0032000035.259.40+1,245premium +85% at or above 80%
TSLA260911C0037000028.254.80-690premium -42% at or below -40%

Closed positions — after the window

contractqtyentryexitP&Lreason
AMD260918C00500000117.2029.40+1,220underlying 519.80 reached target 519.62
SMCI260918C00042000121.570.90-804premium -42% at or below -40%
SMCI260918C0004000091.922.28+324underlying 40.20 reached target 39.92
SMCI260918C00042000111.641.32-352underlying 39.90 broke stop 39.93
SMCI260918C0004000082.142.12-16competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.042.00-36competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.092.05-36competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.112.10-9competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.122.07-45competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.072.08+9competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.041.95-81competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.072.00-63competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.052.01-36competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.072.03-36competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.052.03-18competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.082.01-63competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000092.021.94-72competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.901.90+0competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.921.88-40competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.841.77-70competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C0004000091.961.79-153competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.801.90+100competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.901.78-120competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.921.84-80competition ends 2026-09-04
SMCI260918C00040000101.871.85-20competition ends 2026-09-04
MSFT260918C0052000027.004.70-460competition ends 2026-09-04
AAPL260918C0032500027.458.50+210competition ends 2026-09-04
AAPL260918C0033000065.625.80+105competition ends 2026-09-04
TSLA260918C00380000112.655.75-690competition ends 2026-09-04
MSTR261016C00150000112.5010.40-210competition ends 2026-09-04

Decision log

time (UTC)symbolactiondetailthesis
2026-09-09T14:10:03ZSHOP260918P00130000entry4x @ 4.08, delta -0.45Strong downside momentum (-1.51 ADR move, RVOL 1.60) supports continuation, and the near-the-money put has reasonable delta (-0.45) and acceptable spread (6.3%) for a 9 DTE contract; position sizing should stay modest given the move is already somewhat extended.
2026-09-09T14:10:03ZSHOP260918P00130000canceledaoa-SHOP260918P00130000-buy-202609091410 @ 3.99 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T14:10:03ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T14:10:03ZAMD260918C00520000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T14:06:43ZSHOP260918P00130000canceledaoa-SHOP260918P00130000-buy-202609091406-r @ 3.82 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T14:06:42ZSHOP260918P00130000canceledaoa-SHOP260918P00130000-buy-202609091406 @ 3.78 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T14:06:42ZSHOP260918P00130000abandoned5x @ 3.82, delta -0.44Move is already -1.37 ADR with RVOL 1.54, showing real momentum and volume confirmation, and the contract has tight spread (2.7%), reasonable delta (-0.44) and liquidity. Size modestly given portfolio already has 4 positions and the move is somewhat extended.
2026-09-09T14:06:42ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T14:06:42ZAMD261016C00530000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T14:05:35ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T14:05:35ZAMD261016C00530000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T14:02:39ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T14:02:39ZGOOGL260918P00330000entry2x @ 7.16, delta -0.52Move is only -0.53 ADR with RVOL under 2, so momentum is moderate but not extended, giving room to work; this contract offers the best liquidity (2279 prior volume) and tightest spread among the near-ATM ~-0.5 delta options with a reasonable 9 DTE window.
2026-09-09T14:02:39ZGOOGL260918P00330000canceledaoa-GOOGL260918P00330000-buy-202609091402 @ 7.08 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T14:02:39ZAMD261016C00550000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T14:01:32ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T14:01:32ZAMD261016C00530000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T14:00:21ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T14:00:21ZAMD261016C00530000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T13:59:09ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T13:59:09ZAMD261016C00530000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T13:57:06ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T13:57:06ZARM260918C00280000entry1x @ 10.43, delta 0.45Momentum is solid (RVOL 1.96, +1.1 ADR move) but not extreme, and the 280 strike offers a much tighter spread (2.5% vs 9.1%), higher liquidity, and reasonable delta (0.45) for cleaner execution and risk control versus the wider, less liquid 300 strike.
2026-09-09T13:57:06ZAMD260918C00520000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T13:53:46ZARM260918C00280000canceledaoa-ARM260918C00280000-buy-202609091353-r @ 10.18 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T13:53:45ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T13:53:45ZNETskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T13:53:45ZARM260918C00280000canceledaoa-ARM260918C00280000-buy-202609091353 @ 10.06 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T13:53:45ZARM260918C00280000abandoned1x @ 10.18, delta 0.44Momentum is solid but not overextended (0.92 ADR move, RVOL 1.96) with a near-the-money delta 0.44 call, tight 3.2% spread, and decent prior volume; risk is manageable given only $3,700 currently deployed against $97,664 equity.
2026-09-09T13:53:45ZAMD260918C00520000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-09T13:50:24ZAMD260918C00520000canceledaoa-AMD260918C00520000-buy-202609091350-r @ 18.03 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T13:50:23ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-09T13:50:23ZAMD260918C00520000canceledaoa-AMD260918C00520000-buy-202609091350 @ 17.90 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-09T13:50:23ZAMD260918C00520000abandoned1x @ 18.03, delta 0.52Momentum is solid (+0.80 ADR move, RVOL 2.11) but not extreme, so a near-ATM delta ~0.52 call with 9 DTE offers good directional exposure without overpaying for time; this contract has tight 2.0% spread and the deepest liquidity (3743 prior volume) among the near-term ATM strikes, minimizing slippage risk relative to the wider-spread 5 DTE or 44 DTE alternatives.
2026-09-09T13:50:23ZAMD260918C00500000exitunderlying 519.80 reached target 519.62
2026-09-09T13:33:45ZSMCI260918C00042000exitpremium -42% at or below -40%
2026-09-08T14:31:22ZSMCI260918C00042000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:31:22ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:31:22ZAMD260918C00500000entry1x @ 17.24, delta 0.50Momentum is present but moderate (+0.71 ADR, RVOL 1.95) rather than extreme, so favor a near-ATM contract with tight spread and strong liquidity over the more extended/short-dated 3DTE options; 10 DTE gives room for follow-through while the 0.4% spread and high volume ensure clean execution.
2026-09-08T14:28:06ZAMD260918C00500000canceledaoa-AMD260918C00500000-buy-202609081428-r @ 18.34 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-08T14:28:05ZSMCI260918C00042000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:28:05ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:28:05ZAMD260918C00500000canceledaoa-AMD260918C00500000-buy-202609081428 @ 18.18 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-08T14:28:05ZAMD260918C00500000abandoned1x @ 18.34, delta 0.51Momentum is solid but not extreme (+0.74 ADR, RVOL 1.92), so a 10-DTE ATM-ish call gives room to work without the gamma risk of the 3-DTE strikes; this contract has the tightest spread (2.4%) and by far the deepest liquidity (5647 prior volume) among the near-dated ATM options, with a healthy 0.51 delta for balanced directional exposure.
2026-09-08T14:26:50ZSMCI260918C00041000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:26:50ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:26:50ZAMD260925C00500000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-08T14:23:40ZAMD260911C00495000canceledaoa-AMD260911C00495000-buy-202609081423-r @ 11.74 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-08T14:23:39ZSMCI260918C00042000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:23:39ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:23:39ZAMD260911C00495000canceledaoa-AMD260911C00495000-buy-202609081423 @ 11.71 unfilled, canceled
2026-09-08T14:23:39ZAMD260911C00495000abandoned1x @ 11.74, delta 0.52Momentum is present but not extreme (+0.61 ADR, RVOL 1.89), and this slightly ITM 3DTE contract offers a near-ATM delta (0.52) with by far the tightest spread (0.6%) in the chain, minimizing entry cost/slippage; near-term expiry capitalizes on the immediate momentum push without paying for excess time premium.
2026-09-08T14:22:20ZSMCI260918C00041500rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:22:20ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:22:20ZAMD260925C00500000rejectedquantity 0 is not tradeable
2026-09-08T14:21:13ZSMCI260918C00042000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:21:13ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:20:06ZSMCI260918C00043000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)
2026-09-08T14:20:06ZSHOPskipconfidence 0.00no viable contracts to choose from
2026-09-08T14:18:56ZSMCI260918C00041000rejectedSMCI already has 1 open position(s) (cap 1)