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Theta and covered call writing

Executing Trades Based on Ex-Dividend Dates

Early assignment of our covered call positions is rare but possible. When it does occur, it is frequently related to an ex-dividend date. These are dates that we must own the shares in order to be eligible to receive the dividend on the distribution date. Premium members can access ex-dates of the eligible stocks in […]

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Writing Covered Call Options to Compensate for Share Depreciation

Covered call writing generates monthly (or weekly) cash flow but it also reduces our cost basis. The latter result is the reason why covered call writing increases our chances of a successful trade more so than simply owning the stock. Historical data tells us that in the long haul the stock market increases in value. […]

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expiration dates for covered call writing

Portfolio Overwriting: Should We Sell 1-Month or 2-Month Expirations?

Covered call writing can be used in a variety of ways. Most covered call writers use this strategy to generate monthly cash flow. It can also be adapted to enhance the returns of a long-term buy-and-hold portfolio where some of our securities may have been purchased at a significantly lower price than current market value […]

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Avoiding early exercise wihen covered call writing

How To Avoid Early Exercise When Dividends Are About To Be Distributed

Covered call writing is a low-risk strategy that allows us to generate monthly cash flow by selling stock options. Since we are obligated to sell our shares to the option buyer (holder), one of the understood possibilities is that we will “lose” our shares at the strike price or the price we have agreed to […]

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Early assignment of options

Early Exercise and Assignment of Options

When we sell a covered call option, we are undertaking an obligation for which we are well paid. Should the option holder decide to exercise that option, we must sell our shares at the specified strike price at or prior to the expiration date. This is the nature of American style options as opposed to […]

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