beginners corner

Blog

Using Multiple Exit Strategies in the Same Contract Month

Covered call writers can be good at what they do or great at it. They can generate decent returns or the highest possible returns. One of the mission statements of The Blue Collar Investor is to assist each other in achieving the greatest levels of success. The implementation of exit strategies when indicated is critical to this [...]

32 Comments Continue Reading →

Covered Call Writing- Using the Multiple Tab of the Ellman Calculator

Selling stock options is all about generating a cash flow. Calculating our initial profit, the potential for more profit (upside potential) and the protection of our initial profit (downside protection as opposed to breakeven of the entire position) is critical in making the most educated investment decisions. Accessing this information from the “Multiple Tab” of [...]

31 Comments Continue Reading →

Technical Analysis: How to Use Volume in our Covered Call Decisions

When learning how to trade options volume must always be factored in. Volume is the number of shares or contracts that trade over a specific period of time, usually one day. On a chart, volume is represented as a histogram (vertical bars) overlaid on or below the price chart. This indicator is an essential part [...]

27 Comments Continue Reading →

Mid-Contract Unwind Exit Strategy: A Real Life Example

To maximize our covered call writing profits it is critical to take advantage of our exit strategy opportunities. Last week I posted a few comments regarding the mid-contract unwind exit strategy and received several emails asking for more information about the trade I alluded to. In this week’s article I will walk through the steps [...]

46 Comments Continue Reading →

Covered Call Writing: Stock Options with Additional Expiration Months

When studying our option trading basics, we learn that most stock options have four expiration cycles. Some securities also have long-term options (LEAPS) as well as weekly and quarterly expirations. Some of our members have noticed that there are certain actively-traded securities that have additional expiration months in addition to the ones we are already [...]

42 Comments Continue Reading →

Covered Call Writing Using The Blue Collar Methodology

Fundamental analysis, technical analysis, common sense principles and calculations are all critical considerations when selling stock options the Blue Collar way. Since this is my first article written on our newly enhanced web site (hope you like it!) I thought it appropriate to use a real-life example to review the basic tenets of our BCI [...]

51 Comments Continue Reading →
Portfolio Management- Organized Lists To Improve Our Option Profits For Covered Call Writing

Portfolio Management- Organized Lists To Improve Our Option Profits For Covered Call Writing

How to trade options: I am a big believer in setting yourself up for success. This is accomplished through education, motivation, commitment and organization. Investors reading this article and others are definitely seeking education, and are motivated and committed. However, without organization the process will become difficult and perhaps unmanageable. As we create a watch list [...]

38 Comments Continue Reading →
Covered Call Writing: Factors That Affect The Value Of Our Option Premiums

Covered Call Writing: Factors That Affect The Value Of Our Option Premiums

So you sold an options contract for $380 and generated a 3.5% 1-month return. Did you ever wonder how the market determined the value of that options contract to be $380? The simple equation that most of us know and understand is the following:  Option premium = Intrinsic Value + Time Value To review, let [...]

30 Comments Continue Reading →
Covered Call Writing: Mid-Contract Unwind Exit Strategy

Covered Call Writing: Mid-Contract Unwind Exit Strategy

 Mid-Contract Unwind: The major concern for covered call writers is the stock price dropping in value. The option premium collected is money in the bank. Most of our exit strategies are designed to mitigate these losses and turn losses into gains. However, as Blue Collar Investors we should also be prepared to act if the opposite [...]

41 Comments Continue Reading →
Covered Call Writing and Holding a Stock Through an Earnings Report

Covered Call Writing and Holding a Stock Through an Earnings Report

With expiration Friday and earnings season fast approaching our common sense principles (see chapter 8 of my latest book) become even more important. Never sell a covered call option with an upcoming earnings report is a critical BCI rule. But what if  you own a stock and love it!  Hopefully, your admiration for the stock [...]

33 Comments Continue Reading →