Every investment strategy, including covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts, has advantages and disadvantages. When we decide to implement a plan, it is with the understanding that we accept and embrace these pros and cons. It is not productive to look back and say we could have made more money using a different approach. […]
Naked Options versus Covered Options: Where Should We Take a Stand?
Covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts are more conservative strategies than trading naked options (selling calls and puts without having the resources to execute the potential trade obligations, if exercised). A naked call occurs when a speculator writes (sells) a call option on a security without ownership of that security. It is one of […]
Is Covered Call Writing a Zero Sum Game? Let’s Do the Math
Many assume that covered call writing is a zero sum game because we have traders executing equal but opposite trades using the same underlying security. As a covered call writer, we may sell 5 contracts of AAPL which means there is a buyer out there who just bought our contracts. If we win, they lose and […]
Comparing Covered Call Writing and Selling Cash-Secured Puts
An accepted myth is that covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts are precisely the same strategy. The reason this statement is generally accepted by many investors is that they have the same risk-reward profiles or profit and loss graphs: In this article, other similarities will be discussed as well as some distinct differences […]
Using Multiple Premium Reports to Fund our Covered Call Writing and Put-Selling Portfolios
Stock and ETF (exchange-traded fund) selection is one of the three required skills needed to achieve the highest level of success when selling options. Covered call writers and put-sellers have varying degrees of personal risk tolerance and trading styles. As a result, over the years and based on member feedback, the BCI team has added […]
Exercise Of Options From The Call Buyer’s Perspective
Since we are selling call and put options we know there are traders or market makers who are buying them. In this article we will explore why only about 10% of all call options are actually exercised by the option holders even when the holders want to own the underlying shares. Why are call […]
Naked Call Sellers VS. Covered Call Writers: Different Perspectives
Covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts are considered conservative, low-risk option strategies. Naked option trading is acknowledged to be a more speculative approach to trading options. In the case of covered call writing especially, this is confirmed by the fact that brokerages require a higher level of trading approval for naked option trading than […]
Gamma: The Delta of Delta Impacting Exit Strategy Opportunities
Option Greeks are mathematical means of measuring the risk of stock options. One of the least discussed of these factors is Gamma. In this article, we will explore the significance of this Greek and relate it to covered call writing. Gamma defined and explained- Second order price sensitivity Gamma is an estimate of how […]
When is it Appropriate to Use Covered Call Writing? A New Perspective
Covered call writing is applicable only in neutral to slightly bullish market environments”. We’ve heard this proclamation time and time again and so it has become accepted as fact to a majority of option-sellers. In this article, we will examine the reasons for the allegation and investigate a completely new viewpoint as to when covered […]
Defensive Call and Put Positions in Bear and Volatile Markets
Strike price selection can be tailored to our covered call writing and put-selling trades based on overall market assessment. In bear and volatile market conditions we favor in-the-money calls and deeper out-of-the-money puts (lower than current market value). In this article, we will evaluate defensive trades for Smith & Wesson Hldg (SWHC) as of 1/11/2016, […]
-
Factors to Consider When Closing a Trade Early: A Real-Life Example with ATVI
-
Position Management in the Final Week of a Contract: A Real-Life Example with FIVE
-
Ask Alan 149 – How to Structure Portfolio Strikes
-
Evaluating the Success of our Covered Call Trades
-
Understanding the Impact Implied Volatility has on Delta
-
The New Stock Market- Algorithmic and High Speed Trading
-
Options That Expire Weekly and Conventional Expiration Cycles
-
Why the 3% Guideline Applies to Puts but Not to Call Options
-
Earnings Pre-Announcements Explained and Categorized
-
Tax Implications of Writing Covered Calls against Long-Term Holdings
-
Hoyt T Good evening Jay, I agree. This market has me f
-
Barry B Premium Members, This week’s Weekly Stock Scr
-
Alan Ellman Great crowd at my Denver presentation this morning
-
Jay Good morning friends, Alan, I am with you, I wo
-
Roni Joanna, most of the time I look at rolling out,
