Maximizing covered call writing returns requires the use of a series of exit strategies. One of the most common mistakes covered call writers are guilty of is not managing trades during the contract cycle. I was guilty as charged when I first started using this great strategy and learned my lessons the hard way. I share my experiences with our BCI community in hopes that our members will develop the skills to maximize returns without having to pay for those lessons.
One of my favorite exit strategies is “hitting a double” (my term, not found in Wall Street insider books). By being prepared to use this strategy we can actually generate a second income stream IN THE SAME MONTH with THE SAME CASH. When we “hit a double,” we buy back the option (buy-to-close) assuming it meets our 20%-10% guidelines, and simply watch the stock price without taking additional immediate action. Here, the goal is to wait for the underlying equity to appreciate in value in a relatively short period of time after the initial buy-back of the option, thereby driving up the option value. If this occurs, we can sell the exact same option (same strike and expiration date) and generate a second income stream from the same option, or, in other words, “hit a double.” Over the years, I have actually also hit a few “triples,” wherein the same option was sold three times prior to its expiration!
As s rule of thumb, we attempt to “hit a double” when the market tone and stock technicals are mixed to positive earlier in the contract period (especially during the first week or early in the second).
Real-life example of “hitting a double:”
The chart below depicts an actual example of when I “hit a double” with respect to a prior covered call position in Blue Coat Systems, Inc (BCSI), which ultimately generated an additional $868 into my account. Bear in mind that the additional $868 does NOT include the original $992 I “earned” when I sold the option for the first time. First, let’s look at the chart for BCSI as it existed at the time this exit strategy was implemented:
“Hitting a Double” with BCSI
Note how BCSI took a big plunge (blue arrow) and then recovered quickly over the next two weeks (red arrow). Here are the four prongs of this one-month investment:
- 10/26/09- Purchased 1000 shares of BCSI @ $25.35
- 10/26/09 – Immediately sold 10 contracts of the slightly in-the-money November $25 call option for $1.35, generating a profit of $992 (I deducted the intrinsic value of $0.35, as well as commission, in calculating the latter $992 figure). Should I be happy and complacent and head for the mall? Not Blue Collar Investors!
- 10/30/09 – Took advantage of a market dip and bought back the 10 contracts for $0.25 per contract ($250 in total) in accordance with our 20% guideline (see pages 251-253 of “Encyclopedia….”), thereby creating a debit of $262, inclusive of commissions.
- 11/5/09 – Took advantage of a price upswing (red arrow) and re-sold the EXACT SAME 10 OPTIONS for $1.15. This generated an additional $1130 into my account, inclusive of commissions. Thus, my net gain in connection with the utilizing the “hitting a double” exit strategy in this example is $868 ($1130 – $262). It took me less than 5 minutes to buy back the option, and less than 5 minutes to re-sell the option a few days later. Now, if that doesn’t put a smile on your face, let’s add in the initial option profit of $992, for a total profit of $1860 ($992 + $868).
- Our original investment was $25,000 using the intrinsic value of the first option premium to “buy down” the cost of the stock from $25.35 to $25 (use the Ellman Calculator if this part troubles you). As such, our one-month profit or ROO is: $1860/$25,000 = 7.4%, one-month return. So now it’s time to head to the mall, right? Nope, still two more weeks until expiration Friday!
Conclusion:
As demonstrated in the above-referenced example, the “hitting a double” exit strategy is best utilized when the underlying equity, and thus, the option premium, will appreciate in value in a relatively short period of time after having declined in value. If, however, the price of the underlying equity does not appreciate in this manner, we can then look to roll down, or alternatively, to possibly implement our third exit strategy, which involves selling the stock and “converting dead money to cash profits.”
Link to my upcoming live seminar in Chicago:
http://www.aaii.com/chapters/meeting?mtg=2227&ChapterID=1
Market tone:
This week’s reports told a story of slower growth but increasing consumer confidence:
- New home sales are up 28% year-over-year with inventory levels stabilizing
- The median sales price for new homes in August was $256,000, the highest level since December, 2004 and up 17% from one year ago
- New orders for durable goods declined by 13.2% in August much worse than the decrease of 4.5% expected
- Core capital goods orders rose by 1.1% in August a positive for business investment plans
- Consumer confidence increased by 9 points to 70.3 in September, the highest level in 7 months. The rising stock market and strengthening housing market were factors
- 2nd quarter GDP was revised down from 1.7% to 1.3%
- Consumer income rose by 0.1% in August as did wage income
- Consumer spending increased by 0.5% in August, the largest increase since February
- Savings rate fell to 3.7% in August from 4.1% in July
For the week, the S&P 500 fell by 1.3% for a year-to-date return of 16.4% including dividends.
Summary:
IBD: Confirmed uptrend
BCI: Moderately bullish selling an equal number of in-the-money and out-of-the-money strikes
Wishing you the best in investing,
Alan ([email protected])
Premium members:
This week’s “Weekly Stock Screen and Watch List” will be published on Sunday. As always, an email will be sen to you as soon as the report is available.
Alan
Alan,
After you buy back the option how long do you wait before rolling down or selling the stock if the price does not go back up? What if the price does not change at all after the initial decline? Thanks.
Sara
Sara,
As a GUIDELINE (not etched in stone):
I will look to roll down or sell the underlying after the second week of a 4-week contract or after the thrid week of a 5-week contract. If the price does not change after the initial decline I will roll down in bear market environments and take no action in bull markets.
Alan
Alan,
If I can’t be in front of my computer most of the day (I can check a few times) how do I ensure timely exit strategy executions? I’d appreciate any advice.
Fred
Fred,
Once you enter your positions, place a buy-to-close order on the short option positions at 20% of the original option sale price. Change to 10% in the latter part of the contract cycle as described in my books and DVDs. Ask your brokerage for email notification if executed. This way, the short position are accounted for and you can decide on your next moves if and when the positions are closed.
Alan
Premium Members,
The Weekly Report for 09-28-12 has been uploaded to the Premium Member website and is available for download.
Also, be sure to check out the latest BCI Training Videos and “Ask Alan” segments. You can view them at The Blue Collar YouTube Channel. For your convenience, the BCI YouTube Channel link is:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueCollarInvestor
Best,
Barry and The BCI Team
Have you ever sold the same option three times in the same month? In volatile markets?
Carl
Carl,
Selling the same option three times in one month is EXTREMELY rare. It’s happened to me maybe five times in the last 15 years. Volatile markets ARE condusive to “hitting triples” In “Exit Strategies for Covered Call Writing” I give a real life example of one of those five on pages 88-90.
Alan
Hello,
How do I execute this hitting the double strategy if there is a gap down and then the stock slides and never recovers for the entire month ? Shall we roll down or cover our position ?
Harish,
We look to “hit a double” early in the contract cycle by buying back the option @ 20% or less of the original premium and wait to see if the stock recovers. if it doesn’t we still have time to “roll down” if we decide to keep the stock or close our entire position and sell the stock and then use the cash to enter a new position. I use chart technicals, comparison to the S&P 500 plus evaluation of the reason for the decline to make this determination. See pages 272-277 of “Encyclopedia…” for more details on stocks that have gapped down.
Alan
Alan