One of our favorite option-selling strategies is selling cash-secured puts. This involves selling (usually out-of-the-money) put options and securing the possible future contract assignment with the appropriate amount of cash. What about cash-secured call options also referred to as cash covered call options? This latter strategy is quite different from traditional covered call writing in […]
Stock Repair Strategy: Breakeven Versus Loss-Reduction Objectives
Call options can be used to reduce losses on long stock positions. Depending on the degree our share value has declined, our target can be to lower our breakeven point or to lock-in but reduce losses. In December 2018, Sunny shared a stock repair trade he was considering involving FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX). At the […]
Portfolio Overwriting with Weekly Options
Portfolio overwriting is a covered call writing alternative strategy where out-of-the-money call options are sold against long-term buy-and-hold positions. Generally, these stocks are of a low cost-basis and generate dividend income. We want to avoid assignment to prevent the negative tax consequences of selling stocks that will result in significant capital gains. Basis of […]
Selling Cash-Secured Puts to Lower Cost basis
Selling cash-secured puts can be used to generate monthly cash flow and to buy a stock at a discount. It can also be used to lower the cost-basis of shares already owned. In November 2018, John shared with me a trade he was in with Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) using precisely this strategy. This article […]
Mean Analyst Ratings (MAR)
The screening process for option-selling watchlists includes fundamental analysis, technical analysis and common-sense screens. The BCI team recently added a new screen, the mean analyst rating (MAR), to replace the Scouter Rating (risk/reward) which we had been using for years. This will add an “institutional” component to our analysis. What is MAR? An investment […]
Combining Covered Call Writing and the Stock Repair Strategy
One of our covered call writing exit strategies is converting dead money to cash profits (CDMCP). When share price is declining and under-performing the overall market, we first close the short call and then sell the stock. The cash generated from the sale of the underlying is then used to enter a new position. Another […]
When Should We Execute Our Option-Selling Trades?
The 3-required skills for covered call writing and selling cash secured puts are stock selection, option selection and position management. We can also add timing of our trades as a secondary factor in enhancing our overall returns. These considerations are different for option-selling compared to traditional buy-and-sell portfolios. This article will highlight how and why […]
Mean Analyst Rating (MAR): A New Addition to Our Premium Reports
The screening process for option-selling watchlists include fundamental analysis, technical analysis and common-sense screens. The BCI team is now adding a new screen the mean analyst rating (MAR) to replace the Scouter Rating we have been using for years. This will add an “institutional” component to our analysis. What is MAR? An investment analyst […]
Treasury Bond Yields and the Stock Market
Treasury bond yields are followed by stock investors and changes in yield can impact the success of our trades. In particular, the 10-year treasury yield is used as a yardstick for critical financial issues like mortgages. What is bond yield? This is the interest rate paid by the US government for borrowing money when […]
Managing News-Driven Gap-Downs: A Real-Life Example with Stamp.Com
Earnings reports represent the greatest risk for price gap-downs for our covered call writing and put-selling stocks. Problem solved…we avoid earnings reports. However, from time-to-time unexpected negative news will be reported that will cause significant price decline. On July 25th, 2018, Earl shared with me a trade he initiated with Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP) and was […]
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Cash-Secured Call Options
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Ask Alan #159 Rolling Down When Share Price Moves Up: A Valid Strategy?
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Let’s Take a Test: Can You Answer Correctly?
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Stock Repair Strategy: Breakeven Versus Loss-Reduction Objectives
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“Hitting a Double” or “Mid-Contract Unwind Exit Strategy”: Which Exit Strategy Did I Just Use?
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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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Barry B Premium Members, This week’s Weekly Stock Scr
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Hoyt T Hi Jay, I, too, get lazier. I think it's o
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Hamish Alan Could you please take the time to through
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Jay Hi John, Unfortunately it seems the older I get
