Exchange-traded funds are baskets of stocks some going up and others going down in price. Generally, this makes these securities less volatile than individual stocks. Lower implied volatility translates into lower option premiums. Of course, there are exceptions but covered call writing with ETFs will usually provide better diversification and less risk at the expense […]
Dividend Yield Should Be a Secondary Factor When Selecting Stocks for Our Covered Call Writing Portfolio
Combining covered call writing premiums with high dividend yields can be an enticing investment approach. In October 2019, Gerry wrote to me about using MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) in her option-selling portfolio and pointed to the generous dividend yield and real-estate component as the reasons for this consideration. In the BCI methodology, we use fundamental […]
Strike Selection Using Technical Analysis and Market Assessment
Stock and option selection are 2 of the 3-required skills essential to successful covered call writing (position management is the 3rd). There is no one factor that will dictate our choices but rather a mosaic of bits of information which will lead us to the best choices. In this article, I will discuss two of […]
Technical Charts: A Picture is Worth 1000 Words- A Real-Life Example with The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ: WEN)
Technical analysis is one of the 3 screens we use for stock selection when selling options. The other two are fundamental analysis and common-sense principles (like minimum trading volume). In August 2019, Nick wrote to me about a trade opportunity he thought he missed with WEN. He attached a technical chart followed by a question. […]
Creating “Dividends” for Non-Dividend Stocks: A Real-Life Example with PAYC
Covered call writing can be beneficial to us in a variety of circumstances. This article will highlight how this strategy can be implemented to create a dividend-like cash flow for stocks that currently offer no dividend income. This can be particularly useful for those who will only purchase dividend stocks and miss out on other […]
Using The Ellman Calculator to Monitor “Hitting a Double” Results
One of our BCI covered call writing exit strategies is titled “hitting a double” This opportunity arises when share price declines after a covered call position is opened, short calls are bought back using our 20%/10% guidelines and then the same option is re-sold when share price rises. This article will highlight how to use […]
Strike Price Selection When Selling Cash-Secured Puts: A Real-Life Example with WWE
Strike price selection is one of the 3-required skills when selling covered calls or cash-secured puts. This article will highlight the choices and rationale for our decisions when selling puts for World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) on 9/24/2018. Bullish price chart for WWE Option-selling lowers our cost-basis and therefore we make […]
Volatility Skews: Defined, Explained and Updated
Implied volatility is a key concept for covered call writers and put-sellers. It is a forecast of the underlying stock’s volatility as implied by option prices in the marketplace. In 2012, I published an article relating to implied volatility where volatility skew was discussed. Volatility skew as defined in my 2012 article The volatility […]
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 […]
Evaluating an Initial Covered Call Writing Portfolio
Setting up our covered call writing and put-selling portfolios requires common sense analysis once our watch lists have been established. Considerations include proper stock and industry diversification, appropriate cash allocation to each position and. strike selection that will maximize our returns and reflect personal risk-tolerance and overall market assessment. In this article, I will dissect […]
