When we add a protective put to our covered call trades the strategy is known as a collar. To reduce the monthly cost of the long put, some investors will consider using longer-term put expirations This article will explore the pros and cons of this approach using Ciena Corp. (NYSE: CIEN). Collar trade information […]

The Collar Strategy: Using Longer-Term Put Expirations
Posted on November 7, 2020 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies

Creating a Portfolio of Weekly Cash-Secured Puts
Posted on August 29, 2020 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies, Uncategorized
Selling cash-secured puts is a strategy similar to, but not precisely the same, as covered call writing. In February 2020, Chevy wrote to me asking for an article or video addressing weekly cash-secured puts, a strategy he was using and looking to enhance. The 3-required skills Whether we are selling calls or puts and […]

Collar Calculations: Adding Protective Puts to our Covered Call Trades
Posted on March 28, 2020 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call exit strategies play a major role in mitigating losses in our BCI methodology. In most cases, we can keep losses to a minimum, turn losses into gains and enhance profits as well. Some covered call writers want the security of protecting against a catastrophic gap-down which can occur rarely. With the current market […]

Comparing ITM Calls and OTM Puts in Bear Markets
Posted on February 1, 2020 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies
Covered call writing and selling cash-secured puts are both outstanding low-risk strategies that can outperform the overall market on a consistent basis. I am on record as favoring covered call writing in normal to bull markets and include put-selling in bear markets. In normal to bull markets, covered call writing gives us the flexibility to […]

Rolling Deep OTM Puts to a Higher Strike: A Viable Mid-Contract Strategy?
Posted on October 5, 2019 by Alan Ellman in Exit Strategies, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Put-selling
After selling an out-of-the-money (OTM) cash-secured put and then stock price accelerates substantially, the put value will decline. Share price and put value are inversely-related. This allows us to take advantage of our 20%/10% put-selling guidelines exit strategy discussed on pages 141 – 143 of my book, Selling Cash-Secured Puts. With this exit strategy, if […]

Put-Selling in Margin Accounts
Posted on March 11, 2017 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies
Whether I am selling call or put options I prefer to use a cash account. That’s where we invest and utilize only our own cash to purchase stock and secure put trades. More aggressive investors may want to magnify their returns by leveraging margin accounts. This entails borrowing money from the broker based on rules and regulations […]

Selling In-The-Money Puts to Generate Higher Premiums: Evaluating a Real-Life Trade
Posted on February 18, 2017 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies
Selling Cash-Secured Puts can be used to accomplish several goals; Generate cash flow Buy a stock at a discount Used as part of a multi-tiered option selling strategy along with covered call writing (PCP strategy) Our strategy goal along with overall market assessment, chart technicals and personal risk tolerance will ultimately guide us to the […]

Using Out-Of-The-Money Puts and In-The-Money Calls to Manage Bear Markets
Posted on January 16, 2016 by Alan Ellman in Covered Call Exit Strategies, Exit Strategies, Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies
Strike price selection should be a focus when selling call and put options. With the stock market bearish and volatile at the start of 2016, this article will highlight how such choices will offer significant protection while still allowing for compelling returns. The stock I selected to demonstrate the main points is Adobe Systems, Inc., […]

How To Use Puts To Buy A Stock That Has Gapped Up
Posted on May 30, 2015 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Stock Investing, Stock Option Strategies
Mastering both conservative option selling strategies, covered call writing and put-selling will allow us to maneuver our way through most market situations. This past Wednesday, May 27, 2015 several of the stocks on our BCI Premium Watch List gapped up. On last week’s blog commentary I addressed the situation with BRCM and AVGO and the […]
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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Beginners Corner Enhanced & Updated
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Beginners Corner Selling-Puts
- Lesson 1: What Is Puts Selling?
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- Lesson 5:puts-selling-Calculating Returns
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