This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive from covered call writers all over the world. Should I use a 40-Delta? 35-Delta? Higher? Lower? The focus is on Delta when it shouldn’t be. This article will use a real-life example with Etsy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETSY) to demonstrate why this is the wrong question to ask and how to target the best factors that will dictate our strike selections.

Factors that should determine strike selection (not Delta)

• Initial time-value return goal range
• Moneyness of the option (ITM for defensive positions; OTM for more aggressive positions)
• Personal risk-tolerance
• Overall market assessment

Based on these factors, we can craft our portfolios to align with our trading style, strategy goals and degree of risk we are willing to accept. These strikes will, in fact, have a Delta stat but that is the end point, not the starting point.

Real-life example with ETSY

• 3/21/2023: ETSY trading at $108.11
• 3/21/2023: April 2023 monthly contracts expire on 4/21/2023
• Establish a projected price trading range for this 32-day period based on implied volatility (IV) of the at-the-money (near-the-money) strike

Strike selection scenarios with appropriate strikes for each situation

• Traditional covered call writing- aggressive OTM ($115.00)
• Traditional covered call writing- defensive ITM ($100.00)
• Ultra-low risk protection to the downside based on projected trading range ($92.00)
• Ultra-low risk protection on the upside to avoid exercise scenarios (portfolio overwriting- $125.00)
• ATM strike to determine IV trading range calculations ($108.00 strike shows an IV of 53% as shown in the chart below)

Implied volatility projected trading range using the BCI Expected Price Movement Calculator

ETSY: Expected 32-Day Price Movement Based on an IV of 53%

There is an 84% probability that ETSY will not supersede the upper end of the range ($125.08) or fall below the lower end ($91.14).

ETSY option-chain on 3/21/2023

ETSY Option-Chain Showing IV, Delta, Strikes and Bid Prices

Note the following:

• The ATM $108.00 strike shows an IV of 53% (yellow cell)
• The only strike with a Delta between 35 and 40 is the $115.00 strike which would eliminate the other 3 scenarios, if restricted to 1 Delta
• The bid prices (brown cells) will be used for initial calculations (time-value, breakeven price points, upside potential and downside protection)

Calculations using the BCI Trade Management Calculator (TMC) 

ETSY Calculations for 4 Proposed Scenarios

Pink cells: The $92.00 strike generates an initial 32-day time-value return of 2.33%, 26.53% annualized, with 14.90% downside protection of that time-value profit. The breakeven price point is $89.86.

Brown cells: The $100.00 strike generates an initial 32-day time-value return of 3.84%, 43.80% annualized, with 6.37% upside potential if share price appreciates up to the OTM call strike. The breakeven price point is $96.16.

Purple cells: The $115.00 strike generates an initial 32-day time-value return of 3.70%, 42.20% annualized, with 6.37% upside potential if share value appreciates up to or beyond the OTM call strike. The breakeven price point is $104.11.

Green cells: The $125.00 strike generates an initial 32-day time-value return of 1.37%, 15.61% annualized, with 15.62% upside potential if share value appreciates up to or beyond the OTM call strike. The breakeven price point is $106.63.

Discussion

The factors to choose when selecting strikes for our covered call writing positions include initial time-value return goal range, overall market assessment (aggressive or defensive) and personal risk-tolerance. Using Delta as the sole determining factor will restrict our choices and not allow us to craft our portfolios to the key components of our trading system.

*** One partial exception to this “assault” on the Delta edict is that we can focus in on Delta when using ultra-low risk strategies but then the strike must also align with our pre-stated initial time-value return goal range.

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Over the years, the BCI community has been incredibly gracious by sending our BCI team email testimonials sharing stories as to what our educational content has meant to their families. Moving forward, we have decided to share some of these testimonials in our blog articles. We will never use a last name unless given permission:

Alan,

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This year, well, it’s much different.  I liquidated my initial positions (converted dead money) and started using the weekly stock screen and watch list.  NOW, I’m UP $11,000 in fully realized gains.  My objective has always been to train my wife as well, so that we could have a side source of income in retirement.

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Posted on July 29, 2023 by Alan Ellman in Investment Basics, Option Trading Basics, Options Calculations, Options Trade Execution, Put-selling, Stock Option Strategies