With the stock market declining over 5% in the past month as a result of geo-political and global concerns exacerbated by the fears of an Ebola epidemic we find ourselves in a position that may lead to “panic” in our investment decisions. The stock market seemed to stabilize a bit on Friday but we are […]

Emergency Management Report: Dealing with Volatile and Bearish Markets
Posted on October 18, 2014 by Alan Ellman in Covered Call Exit Strategies, Exit Strategies, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Stock Investing, Stock Option Strategies

Calculating Future Returns Using Delta
Posted on August 9, 2014 by Alan Ellman in Covered Call Exit Strategies, Exit Strategies, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Understanding option calculations is an integral part of the BCI methodology. Using the Ellman Calculators (Basic and Elite versions) will facilitate the process but knowing the “how” and “why” of these numbers will make us all better investors. This article was inspired by Peter, one of our members. He was concerned about the potential drop […]

Deep In-The-Money Strikes: A Can’t Lose Strategy?
Posted on May 24, 2014 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call writing is a strategy we use to generate consistent monthly cash flow, re-invest profits and ultimately to become financially independent. We strive to beat the market by using sound fundamental, technical and common sense principles. But why are we getting paid more than treasuries, CDs or money market accounts? The answer is that […]

Selecting A Specific Strike Price For Our Covered Call Positions
Posted on February 15, 2014 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
We must master strike price selection to maximize our covered call writing returns. In our BCI methodology, strike price selection is ultimately determined after our careful stock screening analysis and overall market assessment. By developing a watchlist of eligible candidates with elite fundamentals and strong price chart technicals along with passing our common sense screens […]

Analyzing The Time Value Of In-The-Money Strikes
Posted on July 6, 2013 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations
Maximizing covered call writing profits requires us to master strike price selection. Very few covered call writers outside the BCI community use in-the-money strikes and, as a result, do not achieve the results that we do. Recently, a few BCI members sent me emails commenting how in-the-money strikes do not generate profits that meet their […]

Entering Our Covered Call Positions Mid-Contract
Posted on May 5, 2012 by Alan Ellman in Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Option Strategies
In the BCI methodology for covered call writing we use predominantly 1-month options. There are times, however, where we find cash in our accounts (mid-contract) that is inactive. This may be due to closing a position early either because the share price declined significantly or accelerated exponentially. Perhaps Grandma gave you a generous birthday present. […]

Covered Call Writing: Factors That Affect The Value Of Our Option Premiums
Posted on January 28, 2012 by Alan Ellman in Stock Option Strategies
So you sold an options contract for $380 and generated a 3.5% 1-month return. Did you ever wonder how the market determined the value of that options contract to be $380? The simple equation that most of us know and understand is the following: Option premium = Intrinsic Value + Time Value To review, let […]

The Show or Fill Rule- More Cash for Us! plus a Spreadsheet for I-T-M Strikes
Posted on January 10, 2010 by Alan Ellman in Options Trade Execution
When David did battle with Goliath, he used the leverage of his slingshot to overcome overwhelming odds. In much the same way we, as Blue Collar Investors, must use every tool available to us to level the playing field with the market makers and specialists who are taking the other side of our trades. One […]
Podcast
- 99. Anatomy of a Reverse Stock Split
- 98. Analyzing LEAPS Options for the Poor Man's Covered Call
- 97. Managing Our Poor Man's Covered Call Trades When Share Price Drops Substantially
- 96. Protecting Our Covered Call Trades: Protective Puts and In-the-Money Strikes
- 95. Covered Call Writing to Generate Premium and Dividend Income
- 94. Covered Call Writing Net Debit Limit Orders
- 93. WHEN CALL STRIKES MOVE DEEP ITM EARLY IN A CONTRACT
- 92. Selling Deep OTM Cash-Secured Puts to Create High-Probability Returns
- 91. Portfolio Overwriting Analyzed
- 90. Entering a Collar Trade
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