Exercising Call Options to Capture Dividends: A Reasonable Action or Investor Error?

Exercising Call Options to Capture Dividends: A Reasonable Action or Investor Error?

Dividend capture is the main reason for early exercise of our covered call writing trades. More specifically, ex-dividend dates are the times most susceptible to early exercise and having our shares sold at the strike price. This article will analyze the profitability...
Will My Stock Be Sold Because of the $2.00 Dividend? A Real-Life Example with Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (Nasdaq: SBLK)

Will My Stock Be Sold Because of the $2.00 Dividend? A Real-Life Example with Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (Nasdaq: SBLK)

On 2/21/2022, Bob wrote a 3/17/2022 $29.00 call on SBLK. On 2/26/2022, SBLK was trading at $31.76 and the cost-to-close the short call was $2.78. On 3/1/2022, SBLK was going ex-dividend for an eventual $2.00 per-share distribution. Will Bob’s shares be sold the...
Managing Implied Volatility Risk by Establishing an Initial Time-Value Return Goal Range + Webinar Login Link

Managing Implied Volatility Risk by Establishing an Initial Time-Value Return Goal Range + Webinar Login Link

When screening for eligible securities for covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts, we must establish how much risk we are willing to incur. There is no right or wrong here as the appropriate amount will vary from investor-to-investor. To determine security...
How to Set Up a Portfolio of Nasdaq and S&P 500 Stocks in a User-Friendly Approach

How to Set Up a Portfolio of Nasdaq and S&P 500 Stocks in a User-Friendly Approach

Covered call writers and sellers of cash-secured puts know the importance of portfolio diversification. If one security under-performs, the others can compensate. This article will demonstrate how to craft a portfolio of large-cap tech and blue-chip companies for our...