This is a follow-up cash-secured puts article to the one published last week where I detailed how I was selling deep OTM cash-secured puts on Apple Computer (AAPL) to generate weekly cash flow. I was using strikes with Deltas below -0.10%, approximating less than a 10% of ending in-the-money. My goal was to generate 0.4% 5-day returns, 18% – 19% annualized. This past week, I continued this approach but also was able to take advantage of exit strategy opportunities.

 

AAPL trading log from 9/21/2020 through 9/25/2020 (5 contracts)

  • 9/21/2020: AAPL trading at $106.60
  • 9/21/2020: STO $96.25 put at $$0.38 per share
  • 9/22/2020: BTC the $96.25 put at $0.06 (AAPL appreciated in price) per share
  • 9/22/2020: STO the $101.25 put at $0.24 per share
  • 9/24/2020: BTC the $101.25 put at $0.16 per share
  • 9/24/2020: STO the $103.75 put at $0.34 per share
  • 9/25/2020: BTC the $103.75 put at $0.02

***I took advantage of share appreciation such that I was able to generate additional time-value profit while still retaining options with Deltas <-.10%.

 

Initial trade structuring on 9/21/2020

 

AAPL Put Trade with the BCI Put Calculator

 

This meets our target of 0.4% 5-day initial time-value return goal.

 

Brokerage statement showing initial trade with exit strategy implementation

 

Brokerage Statement from 9/21/2020 – 9/25/2020

 

4-day results

We will use a cost-basis of $103.41 per share ($51,705.00 for the 5 contracts) as this is the largest amount of cash required for all trades. Our option credits per share are $0.38, $0.24 and $0.34. Our option debits are $0.06 and $0.16 per share for a net option credit of $0.74 per share or $370.00 for the 5 contracts. On a cost-basis of $51,705.00, the 4-day return is 0.72%, 34% for a 48-week (avoiding earnings weeks) annualized return.

 

Final trade of the week: 5-day results

AAPL moved up early on expiration Friday driving down the ask price of the $103.75 put to $0.02. I closed all 5 contracts to lock in a final 5-day profit of 0.70%, 33.4% annualized over 48 weeks. The screenshot shows this final trade of the week:

 

AAPL Put Final Trade of the Week

 

Discussion

Selling deep OTM cash-secured puts can generate significant annualized returns in a low-risk manner. Taking advantage of exit strategy opportunities will enhance returns to the highest possible levels. As always, we must be prepared with exit strategies if the trades turn against us.

 

For more information and tools for selling cash-secured puts

Best book

Best online DVD program

Best calculator

 

Investment club program board members

If you would like to schedule a private webinar with Alan and Barry, send an email to:

info@thebluecollarinvestor.com

Include:

  • Contact email
  • Contact phone #
  • Club website URL
  • Put “private webinar” in the header

 

Your generous testimonials

Over the years, the BCI community has been incredibly gracious by sending our BCI team email testimonials sharing stories as to what our educational content has meant to their families. Moving forward, we have decided to share some of these testimonials in our blog articles. We will never use a last name unless given permission:

Alan,

I was getting beat up in the stock market the last 6 months because I refused to gamble on any FAANG stocks. I am a value investor, and that has not been working. I have not given up, but I have listened to your advice and now selling covered calls on high-dividend paying aristocrat stocks and also sell cash-secured puts on them. If I get assigned, the great! WIN-WIN, I am getting paid either way. Thank you so much for taking the sting out of the Markets.

Jon

 

Upcoming events

  1. How to Set Up a Covered Call Writing Portfolio Using Stock Selection, Option Selection and Position Management

Step-by-step analysis using the Elite-Plus Calculator

Hosted by:

Dr. Alan Ellman, President of The Blue Collar Investor Corp.

Barry Bergman, BCI managing Director

The initial structuring of our covered call writing portfolios is critical to achieving the highest returns. Once established, we move to position management mode.

This class will start with option basics, define covered call writing and detail the 3-required skills that will allow us to become elite covered call writers… stock selection, option selection and position management.

Real-life examples will be analyzed describing how the stocks and options are selected as well as how to set up the overall portfolio based on cash available, strategy goals and personal risk-tolerance. Various spreadsheets will be used to simplify the process.

An introduction to the initial step in position management will also be addressed. This class is for beginners to sophisticated option traders. There will be something for everyone.

Time: Oct 15, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94087820438 

Meeting ID: 940 8782 0438

 

  1. Wealth 365 Summit (free)

I was invited do host a 1-hour webinar on October 12th at 7 PM ET.

Click here to get your FREE pass.

 

Alan speaking at a Money Show event

***********************************************************************************************************************

Market tone data is now located on page 1 of our premium member stock reports and page 1 of our mid-week ETF reports.

****************************************************************************************************************