Exit strategy preparation and implementation is one of the 3 required skills for successful covered call writing and put-selling. Because of the time value erosion of our options (Theta), there are limitations regarding the exit strategy opportunities as our contracts near expiration. In January 2018, Duminda contacted me about a trade he executed with Five […]
Understanding the Impact Implied Volatility has on Delta
For covered call writers and put-sellers, the option Greeks play a major role in our understanding of the risks and value of our option premiums. We know our option premiums consist of intrinsic value (for in-the-money strikes) + time value. Our initial time value returns reflect the time to expiration + the volatility of the […]
Evaluating a Portfolio from a Numerical Perspective
When we formulate our covered call writing and put-selling portfolios, we are basing our decisions on non-emotional sound fundamental, technical and common sense principles. Similarly, we can analyze a portfolio and determine the investor’s stock and overall market assessments. On November 17, 2017, Carl sent me a list of his very first covered call writing […]
American Depository Receipts and Special 1-Time Cash Dividends/ Discount Coupons for New Book & Calculators
When viewing option chains while crafting our covered call writing portfolios, from time-to-time we will see unusual strike prices. These anomalies are usually associated with various corporate events that result in option contract adjustments. Such events include stock splits, mergers and acquisitions and the one highlighted in this article, special 1-time cash dividends. In July […]
Generating 2% – 4% in Bull Markets: How to Take Advantage of Out-Of-The-Money Strikes
The 3 required skills for covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts are stock selection, option selection and position management. This article will use real-life examples highlighting the first 2 of these skill sets in a bull market environment. Article assumptions and guidelines Portfolio is set up in a bull market environment Target goals […]
Combining Dividend Capture with Covered Call Writing: Pros and Cons
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 […]
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 […]
Protecting Unrealized Profits When Share Price Accelerates
Covered call writing dilemmas can frequently result from positive circumstances. In August 2017, Vincent shared a trade he executed where an out-of-the-money strike was sold and share price had moved up significantly and was approaching the strike price. This means that Vincent realized an initial option premium return plus had an unrealized share appreciation component […]
Stocks Moving On and Off our Premium Stock List: A Technical Perspective
When we select stocks for covered call writing or selling cash-secured puts we factor in fundamental, technical and common-sense screens (like minimum trading volume). This screening process is the foundation of our Premium Stock Reports. Frequently we will notice stocks removed from these lists only to return shortly thereafter. The reason for these whipsaws are […]
Stock Splits Can Cause Panic: Relax, All is Well
You write a covered call on a stock trading at $165.00 and sell the $170.00 call option. A few days later, your stock is trading at $28.00 and the strike you sold no longer appears on option chains. What do we do? Panic? Curl up into the fetal position and feel sorry for ourselves? Research […]
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Factors to Consider When Closing a Trade Early: A Real-Life Example with ATVI
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Position Management in the Final Week of a Contract: A Real-Life Example with FIVE
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Ask Alan 149 – How to Structure Portfolio Strikes
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Evaluating the Success of our Covered Call Trades
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Understanding the Impact Implied Volatility has on Delta
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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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Hoyt T Good evening Jay, I agree. This market has me f
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Barry B Premium Members, This week’s Weekly Stock Scr
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Alan Ellman Great crowd at my Denver presentation this morning
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Jay Good morning friends, Alan, I am with you, I wo
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Roni Joanna, most of the time I look at rolling out,
