Covered call writing is associated with 2 legs: we are long the stock and short the call option. If we add a protective put, we have converted the covered call trade to a collar trade which has both a floor (put strike) and a ceiling (call strike). The traditional collar trades uses out-of-the-money strikes for […]
Poor Man’s Covered Call: Selecting the Best LEAPS Strike
The Poor Man’s Covered Call (PMCC) is a covered call writing-like strategy where deep in-the-money LEAPS options are used in lieu of long stock positions. Short-term out-of-the-money call options are sold against the long position. The technical term is a long call diagonal debit spread. When setting up the initial trade, decisions must be made […]
Establishing Our Cost-Basis When Rolling Out-And-Up on 2 Different Days
One of our covered call writing exit strategies is rolling-out-and-up. We use this position management technique when our short call is in-the-money (ITM) as expiration approaches and we decide to retain the shares for the next contract month (or week). For example, had we bought a stock for $38.00 and sold the $40.00 call and […]
Spinoffs and Stock Splits: How Multiple Corporate Events Can Impact Share Price
Our covered call writing and put-selling positions can be radically impacted by corporate events. In July 2020, Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTCH) showed extreme price volatility due to 2 corporate events, a spinoff and a stock split. Price dropped from $105.00 to $95.00. They also resulted in option contract adjustments. The loss was severe but […]
Establishing Our Cost-Basis in a Multi-Step Managed Trade
Covered call writing calculations are meaningful only when the correct stats are entered into our formulas (calculators). The cost-basis of a managed trade can be confusing as stock and option values are changing with each step of the trade series. In July 2020, Steve shared with me a series of trades he executed with KraneShares […]
Delta and Strike Price Selection
Strike price selection is the 2nd of our 3-required skills for covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts. I am frequently asked which Delta to use as a guide to a specific strike price. In this article, we will review the factors that guide us to the most appropriate strike price and the role Delta […]
Exit Strategies are Important but Must Be Timed Properly + Free Webinar Link
Exit strategy execution for covered call writing and put-selling is the 3rd required skill needed to achieve the highest returns (stock and option selection are the other two). Knowing how and when to implement these position management trades will have a major impact on our ultimate success. In July 2020, Clark sent me a series […]
Rolling-Down On a Sharp Market Decline at the End of a Contract
Exit strategy opportunities may be created when there is a substantial 1-day market decline and we must be prepared to take advantage of these occasions. In June 2020, there was an 1800 point decline in the Dow 30 due to coronavirus concerns and national unrest related to police shootings. Many members of the BCI community […]
Using Covered Call Options and Stock Dividends in Low-Interest Rate Environments
Covered call writing can be crafted to meet a myriad of goals in a wide range of market conditions. In May of 2020, the 10-year Treasury Bond yield was 0.65%. Bank interest rates in several countries were negative. At the same time, dividend yield on Dow 30 and S&P 500 dividend-bearing stocks were triple that […]
Special Cash Dividends and Equity Distributions: Understanding Contract Adjustments
Contract adjustments to the terms of our covered call writing and put-selling options are due to corporate actions like mergers and acquisitions, special dividends and stock splits. This article will highlight the contract alterations resulting from special dividends and equity distributions. Special cash dividends: 2 adjustment techniques 1. Ticker remains unchanged Number of […]
Podcast
- 54. Selecting the Best Strike Prices for Our Collar Trades
- 53: ITM Cash-Secured Puts: Allow Exercise or Roll the Option?
- 52. Making Money Selling Options with Technology Stocks
- 51. Timing Our Covered Call Trades
- 50. Exit strategies Must Be Timed Properly
- 49. Analyzing a Multi Leg Covered Call Rolling Down Series of Trades
- 48. Rolling Deep OTM Cash Secured Puts
- 47. Rolling Up in the Same Contract Month
- 46. Should Delta Be the Sole Criteria for Covered Call Writing Strike Selection
- 45. Implied Volatility and Expected price Movement During the Life of Option Contracts
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