Why not use covered call writing with only dividend-bearing stocks to generate three income streams; option premium, share appreciation to the (out-of-the-money) call strike plus the dividend itself? This article will explore the pros and cons of this approach to covered call writing. Strategy theory We screen for stocks that have ex-dividend dates (also […]
Writing Naked Calls on Poorly-Performing Stocks
Selling covered calls and cash-secured puts are the main strategies highlighted in our BCI community. Much of the information disseminated on the Blue Collar site, books and DVDs is based on member feedback, inquiries and comments. In September 2017, Marc sent me an email question about selling naked (without owning the underlying security before selling […]
Inverse Exchange-Traded Funds versus Shorting Stocks
In bear markets, one of the tools we can benefit from with our covered call writing and put-selling strategies is inverse exchange-traded funds (ETFs). An inverse ETF is also known as a short ETF or a bear ETF. These securities are constructed to return the exact opposite performance of a certain benchmark or index. Many […]
Russell Rebalancing Day: A Cause for Concern?
Covered call writers and put-sellers are aware of the value to avoiding risky events like earnings announcements. An impending FDA announcement regarding the efficacy of a new drug being tested is another example. This article will define and explore the potential concerns of trading on or though Russell Rebalancing Day. What is Russell Rebalancing Day? […]
Mitigating Losses After a Disappointing Earnings Pre-Announcement
A critical BCI rule for covered call writing is never to sell an option if there is an upcoming earnings report prior to contract expiration. Earnings reports are risky events we want to avoid. From time-to-time a company will pre-announce earnings especially if there will be a negative story to tell its shareholders when the […]
Special 1-Time Cash Dividends for Stocks with Improving Technicals
Covered call writing and put-selling candidates must pass a series of fundamental, technical and common-sense screens in order to be considered eligible for our portfolios. In early January 2017, one of our members, Jim W, asked about using Ford Motor Corp. (F), a stock that does not pass our BCI screens but has several positive […]
Indexing: A Key Component to Successful Long-Term Investing
In my book, Stock Investing for Students, I develop a long-term investment plan to achieve financial independence and an early retirement. The plan is initiated by using broad market index funds. This article will highlight the reasons why I favor passively-managed mutual funds to their actively-managed counterparts. First, some definitions. Definitions Index fund: A type […]
Psychology of Stock and Option Investing: Ten Years of Observations
QUESTIONS FOR COVERED CALL WRITERS AND PUT-SELLERS: Why do retail investors buy high and sell low? Why do we sell our winners and keep our losers? Why do many of us feel that the market is rigged in favor of Wall Street insiders? Boy am I starting off on the wrong foot with this article! I’ll […]
Using Delta to Determine the Amount of Risk in Our Option-Selling Positions
Covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts are low-risk option-selling strategies used to generate monthly cash flow. Low-risk does not mean no risk so how can we measure the degree of risk we are undertaking? Let’s first all agree that any strategy that aspires to generate higher than a risk-free return (Treasuries, for example) will incur […]
Open Interest: How it’s Calculated and Why it’s Important
When selling call and put options, the liquidity of these securities must be evaluated to determine their eligibility. There are two measures of investor interest in options, Vol(ume) and Open Interest (OI). Vol represents the number of times a particular contract is bought or sold in a particular day. Open interest, on the other hand, […]
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Combining Dividend Capture with Covered Call Writing: Pros and Cons
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Ask Alan 147 – “Why is the Ellman Calculator Showing Negative Returns?”
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The Mysteries of a Put Sale
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Technical Analysis Impacting Stock Eligibility for Option-Selling
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Rolling Out-And-Up: Explaining the “Bought-Up” Value of our Stocks
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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 Thanks for the update, Mario, great results in a d
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Alan Ellman Greg, I am a firm believer in asset allocation.
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Greg Alan, What is your recommendation or best pract
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MarioG Trading Experiences through June 15, 2018 Expirati
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