The Poor Man’s Covered Call (PMCC) is a covered call writing-like strategy where short calls are sold against LEAPS options. There are pros and cons to this trading approach but the main advantage is that these trades can be executed at a lower cost than traditional covered call writing. Options (LEAPS, in this case) are […]
Cash-Secured Call Options
One of our favorite option-selling strategies is selling cash-secured puts. This involves selling (usually out-of-the-money) put options and securing the possible future contract assignment with the appropriate amount of cash. What about cash-secured call options also referred to as cash covered call options? This latter strategy is quite different from traditional covered call writing in […]
Ask Alan #159 Rolling Down When Share Price Moves Up: A Valid Strategy?
Alan answers a question posed by Ed, who asks: Alan, I recently sold an in-the-money (ITM) strike and share price shot up way past the sum of the ITM option and the strike price of the option. I then bought back the ITM option and sold another ITM option one increment less in strike price […]
Let’s Take a Test: Can You Answer Correctly?
Stock options is a category found in required examinations for certified financial planners. In May 2019, Richard contacted me because he was “miffed” at one of the answers provided for one of the questions in the CFP financial planner test question databank. I thought it would be a fun and productive exercise for the BCI […]
Stock Repair Strategy: Breakeven Versus Loss-Reduction Objectives
Call options can be used to reduce losses on long stock positions. Depending on the degree our share value has declined, our target can be to lower our breakeven point or to lock-in but reduce losses. In December 2018, Sunny shared a stock repair trade he was considering involving FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX). At the […]
“Hitting a Double” or “Mid-Contract Unwind Exit Strategy”: Which Exit Strategy Did I Just Use?
Mastering exit strategies is the 3rd required skill for successful covered call writing and put-selling. On November 28, 2018, Nirav wrote to me regarding a series of trades he executed and wanted to know how to categorize the position management aspect of these trades. This article will highlight the differences between “hitting a double” and […]
Portfolio Overwriting with Weekly Options
Portfolio overwriting is a covered call writing alternative strategy where out-of-the-money call options are sold against long-term buy-and-hold positions. Generally, these stocks are of a low cost-basis and generate dividend income. We want to avoid assignment to prevent the negative tax consequences of selling stocks that will result in significant capital gains. Basis of […]
Selling Cash-Secured Puts to Lower Cost basis
Selling cash-secured puts can be used to generate monthly cash flow and to buy a stock at a discount. It can also be used to lower the cost-basis of shares already owned. In November 2018, John shared with me a trade he was in with Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) using precisely this strategy. This article […]
Mean Analyst Ratings (MAR)
The screening process for option-selling watchlists includes fundamental analysis, technical analysis and common-sense screens. The BCI team recently added a new screen, the mean analyst rating (MAR), to replace the Scouter Rating (risk/reward) which we had been using for years. This will add an “institutional” component to our analysis. What is MAR? An investment […]
Combining Covered Call Writing and the Stock Repair Strategy
One of our covered call writing exit strategies is converting dead money to cash profits (CDMCP). When share price is declining and under-performing the overall market, we first close the short call and then sell the stock. The cash generated from the sale of the underlying is then used to enter a new position. Another […]
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The New Stock Market- Algorithmic and High Speed Trading
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Options That Expire Weekly and Conventional Expiration Cycles
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Why the 3% Guideline Applies to Puts but Not to Call Options
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Earnings Pre-Announcements Explained and Categorized
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Tax Implications of Writing Covered Calls against Long-Term Holdings
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Jay Hi Eric, I learned the value of using LEAPS as
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Alan Ellman Jack, I don't recall this specific video (
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Jack Alan, From one of your videos...2009 I believe:
