May 2, 2020 | Exchange-Traded Funds, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies, Technical Analysis
Exchange-traded funds are baskets of stocks some going up and others going down in price. Generally, this makes these securities less volatile than individual stocks. Lower implied volatility translates into lower option premiums. Of course, there are exceptions but...
Apr 25, 2020 | Exchange-Traded Funds, Fundamental Analysis, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Stock Option Strategies, Technical Analysis
Combining covered call writing premiums with high dividend yields can be an enticing investment approach. In October 2019, Gerry wrote to me about using MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) in her option-selling portfolio and pointed to the generous dividend yield and real-estate...
Apr 18, 2020 | Investment Basics, Just Alan, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Put-call parity is a principle that defines the relationship between the price of European put options and European call options of the same stock, strike price, and expiration date. The formula can identify arbitrage opportunities where the simultaneous buying and...
Apr 11, 2020 | Covered Call Exit Strategies, Exchange-Traded Funds, Exit Strategies, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Trade Execution, Stock Option Strategies
Exit strategies for covered call writing and sell cash-secured puts is one of the 3-required skills that must be mastered. The mid-contract unwind (MCU) exit strategy is used for covered calls when share price moves substantially above the strike price, leaving the...
Apr 4, 2020 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Investing, Stock Option Strategies, Technical Analysis
Stock and option selection are 2 of the 3-required skills essential to successful covered call writing (position management is the 3rd). There is no one factor that will dictate our choices but rather a mosaic of bits of information which will lead us to the best...
Mar 28, 2020 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call exit strategies play a major role in mitigating losses in our BCI methodology. In most cases, we can keep losses to a minimum, turn losses into gains and enhance profits as well. Some covered call writers want the security of protecting against a...