Generating a consistent cash flow from stock dividends is an appealing benefit from owning shares for many investors. Stock ownership, in these scenarios, can create two income streams, one from price appreciation and the other from quarterly dividends. However, not all securities have associated dividends and some investors will bypass these stocks even if they […]
Dow 30 Stocks and Covered Call Writing: Implementing the Premium Blue Chip Report
The risk inherent in covered call writing and put-selling is related to price decline in the underlying security. Investors with low-risk tolerance may turn to blue chip stocks which have proven track records of being reliable, cash-rich securities that frequently also generate dividends. This article will highlight how to utilize the monthly BCI Premium Blue […]
Combining Dividend Capture with Covered Call Writing: Pros and Cons
Why not use covered call writing with only dividend-bearing stocks to generate three income streams; option premium, share appreciation to the (out-of-the-money) call strike plus the dividend itself? This article will explore the pros and cons of this approach to covered call writing. Strategy theory We screen for stocks that have ex-dividend dates (also […]
Rolling Down with CALM: Turning Losses into Gains
Exit strategies for both covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts is one of the three required skills for maximizing investment returns. Whether we are mitigating losses, turning losses into gains or enhancing winning positions to even higher levels, we must have the capability to take advantage of all position management opportunities. In this week’s […]
Ex-Dividend Dates: Rules for Standard and Special Dividends
Dividends impact option premiums. When a dividend is distributed the cash holdings of a corporation is decreased and therefore the company and its stock are worth less. The eligibility to receive the dividend depends on several factors including the size of the dividend. First, let’s define some terms: Types of dividends Standard dividends: A distribution […]
Why do Call Buyers Exercise Early Prior to the Ex-Dividend Date?
Covered call writers know that early exercise is extremely rare. Call buyers are generally better off selling the option rather than exercising early. In this article we will evaluate why a call buyer may choose to exercise an in-the-money call option prior to expiration by evaluating the choices available to these option holders. Value of […]
Rolling Down And Stock Splits: A Real Life Example
Covered call writing positions can be altered by exit strategies or contract adjustments. Contract adjustments are alterations that are typically made to option contracts when the underlying stock undergoes a stock split, pays a special cash and/or stock dividend or distribution, or is involved in a merger, acquisition or corporate reorganization. Sometimes they are impacted by […]
Early Exercise: I Don’t Want To Sell My AAPL Shares
Covered call writing obligates us to sell our shares to the option buyer at any time up to 4PM ET on expiration Friday should the buyer choose to exercise those options. That is the definition of American Style options, the type we are dealing with when selling options against stocks and ETFs. The buyer is in […]
How Quarterly Dividends Impact Our Covered Call Option Premiums
When studying option trading basics we learn the equation for option premium value is: Premium = time value + intrinsic value If the strike price is at- or out-of-the-money the premium is all time value. Another basic principle is that time value decreases as we approach expiration Friday. Unless the strike price is deep, deep […]
