May 16, 2015 | Covered Call Exit Strategies, Exit Strategies, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call writers know that early exercise is extremely rare. Call buyers are generally better off selling the option rather than exercising early. In this article we will evaluate why a call buyer may choose to exercise an in-the-money call option prior to...
Apr 4, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Stock Investing, Stock Option Strategies
Selling cash-secured puts is a strategy with goals of creating monthly cash flow while retaining capital preservation as a priority. However, many of our astute members are also using this strategy to purchase a stock “at a discount” instead of setting up...
Mar 28, 2015 | Covered Call Exit Strategies, Exit Strategies, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call writing and put-selling calculations must be accurate and preferably understood by option-sellers. I created the Ellman Calculators to facilitate the authentic computations we depend on. In this article, I will review a successful trade executed by one of...
Mar 21, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies, Stock Trading & Taxes
In a recent article, tax implications for covered call writing was discussed. In this publication I will highlight the tax ramifications as they apply to selling put options. What is a Capital Gain? A capital gain is an increase in the value of as capital asset, such...
Mar 14, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Trading & Taxes
Whether we sell covered calls or cash-secured puts strong consideration should be given to trading in sheltered accounts whenever possible. Most, if not all, of our trades will be short-term in nature (less than one year) and therefore will be taxed at the ordinary...
Feb 28, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Understanding the Greeks, or factors that impact the value of our covered call premiums, is essential to mastering options trading basics and becoming an elite covered call writer. One of the Greeks (although not truly a Greek letter) is Vega, the amount an option...