Nov 7, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
When we write covered calls or cash-secured puts, we are selling volatility. The time value component of a short-term option premium reflects the amount of time until expiration plus the volatility of the underlying security. Since most of us are comparing options...
Oct 24, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Volatility is a key consideration for both stock selection and option-selling decisions. Despite its relevance to our covered call writing and put-selling selections, volatility does have its limitations and we must fully understand how we can best take advantage of...
Jun 13, 2015 | Exchange-Traded Funds, Investment Basics, Put-selling, Stock Investing, Stock Option Strategies
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer covered call writers and put-sellers the advantage of instant diversification and generally have a lower implied volatility associated with them compared to individual stocks. Whether we are dealing with stocks or ETFs each security...
Apr 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
Covered call writers or cash-secured put sellers who use ETFs (as opposed to individual stocks) tend to be novice put writers, more conservative investors, or have limited funds or time. If you fall into any of these categories, knowing your risk level is critical to...
Feb 28, 2015 | Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Understanding the Greeks, or factors that impact the value of our covered call premiums, is essential to mastering options trading basics and becoming an elite covered call writer. One of the Greeks (although not truly a Greek letter) is Vega, the amount an option...