Covered call writing is used predominantly to generate cash flow in a low-risk manner. But it can also be used to exit stock positions while mitigating losses in those trades. As an example, I will use a series of trades shared with me by Ashvin on May 16th, 2019. The underlying security was iShares MSCI […]
Rolling Up in the Same Contract Month: A Real-Life Example with KMX
Position management or exit strategies for covered call writing and selling puts is the third required skill to achieve the highest possible return levels (stock and option selection are the first two). First, we must determine if an exit strategy opportunity actually exists and then, if so, which one to execute. On May 3rd 2019, […]
Why Was My Short Out-Of-The-Money Put Exercised?
When we sell covered calls or cash-secured puts, we understand that if a strike ends up in-the-money at expiration, that option will be exercised over the weekend and shares will be sold or purchased depending on the option type (for calls, our shares are sold; for puts, new shares are purchased with the cash set […]
Converting a Covered Call Trade to a Collar Trade: An Analysis Using ALXN
When we sell and in-the-money or at-the-money strike and share price moves up substantially, we have an unrealized maximum return. On 4/5/2019, Doug wrote to me about such a situation he was in with Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN). He was considering buying a protective put to protect part of the unrealized profit and thought […]
Can We Manage Our In-The-Money Strikes to Create a No-Risk Investment Strategy?
Covered call writing is a low-risk cash-generating strategy. It is not a no-risk strategy. As we become educated and master the 3-required skills (stock selection, option selection and position management), it is understandable why BCI members try to figure out strategies that can convert low-risk to no-risk. Here is a common inquiry I receive from […]
“Hitting a Double” with XBI: Earn $100 in Four Minutes
Position management (exit strategies) is one of the 3-required skills for successful covered call writing and put-selling. “Hitting a double” involves buying back the short call using our 20%/10% guidelines and then re-selling that same option when share price recovers. On 3/13/2019, Mario was kind enough to share with us his trades with SPDR S&P Biotech […]
Collar Trades When Call Strikes Move Deep In-The-Money: A Real-Life Example with TEAM
In August 2018, Duminda shared with me a successful collar trade he executed with Attlassian Corp (NASDAQ: TEAM). He was considering 2 exit strategies: Closing all legs of the trade and using the cash to enter a new position Allowing assignment and selling the put, if any value at expiration Initial structuring of Duminda’s […]
Rolling Out-And-Up: Explaining “Bought-Up” Value
Covered call writing calculations should be as accurate as possible so that we can assess the success and feasibility of our trades. When we roll in-the-money (ITM) options out-and-up there is frequently an option debit which, on first glance, may make the trade appear to be a losing one. However, by factoring in the impact […]
Interpreting Exit Strategy Calculations Versus Final Calculations
Mastering option calculations is an essential skill needed to attain the very highest covered call writing returns. Although the Ellman Calculator will do most of the heavy lifting for us, understanding the reasons behind these calculations and when and how to apply them, will make us all more skilled investors. Recently a BCI member sent […]
Covered Call Writing with a Biotech Company: A Real-Life Example with Argenx (NASDAQ: ARGX)
Covered call writing (as well as put-selling) premiums are directly related to the implied volatility of the underlying stock or exchange-traded fund (ETF). Biotech stocks are particularly volatile due to the success (or lack thereof) of the pharmaceuticals they are developing. Highly volatile underlyings represent the good news of higher premiums and the bad news […]
