Mar 30, 2013 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
I sell predominantly 1-month options when selling covered calls. This decision was NOT based on anything I read or was told, but rather on experience and common sense. Most stocks with options have at least four expiration cycles affiliated with them at any point in...
Mar 9, 2013 | Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call writing involves options calculations…there’s no getting around it! It’s been a while since we talked math. What’s with all the frowns? Mastering and understanding the calculations (The Ellman Calculator will do all the work) will enhance our...
Aug 18, 2012 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations
In last week’s article concerning option trading basics I highlighted the in-the-money strike in our covered call writing strategy. In this article I will expand our options calculations to all three types of strike prices. First, let’s review each of...
Aug 11, 2012 | Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations
Option trading basics incorporates fundamental, technical and common sense decisions. One of these, as it relates to covered call writing, is selecting a strike price for the short options position. In bearish and volatile markets I tend to favor the in-the-money...
Jun 18, 2012 | Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Whenever a study is performed on covered call writing a stock is selected and the nearest out-of-the-money (O-T-M) strike price is sold. This is repeated over and over and then the results are compared to the overall market performance. The usual conclusion is that...