ONE BASIC
STRATEGY
Covered call writing is a very popular option strategy and is especially well suited for people who are first learning how options work. Once you gain a fairly good understanding of the basic concepts involving options and understand the risk and rewards associated with owning stocks, that is a good time to consider adopting this strategy.
However, there is more to this simple strategy that is apparent at first glance. It is important to understand why an investor would want to write covered calls. Thus, you want to know about the philosophy. Next it is essential to know about the risk, or what can go wrong when you buy stock and sell one call option for each 100 shares owned.
NOTE: The name of the strategy comes from the fact that the stock owner is covered -- if and when he/she is ever assigned an exercise notice on the short call option. In other words, if assigned, the trader already owns the shares and can deliver (sell) them to the person who exercised the option.
IS COVERED CALL WRITING (CCW) FOR YOU?
· CCW is a strategy for the investor who does not believing in trying to time the market. As long as you are willing to have your cash invested in the specific stock (or index), it is a reasonable idea to own the stock and write the calls. However, if you never want to sell the stock and if your intention is to hold for a long time, then this is not a suitable strategy.
· CCW is for the investor who wants a higher probability of earning a profit with every trade, even when the profit is limited. Clarification: The profit is earned more frequently than the trader who simply buys stock and does not hedge the position by selling a call option.
Covered call writing is a very popular option strategy and is especially well suited for people who are first learning how options work. Once you gain a fairly good understanding of the basic concepts involving options and understand the risk and rewards associated with owning stocks, that is a good time to consider adopting this strategy.
However, there is more to this simple strategy that is apparent at first glance. It is important to understand why an investor would want to write covered calls. Thus, you want to know about the philosophy. Next it is essential to know about the risk, or what can go wrong when you buy stock and sell one call option for each 100 shares owned.
NOTE: The name of the strategy comes from the fact that the stock owner is covered -- if and when he/she is ever assigned an exercise notice on the short call option. In other words, if assigned, the trader already owns the shares and can deliver (sell) them to the person who exercised the option.
IS COVERED CALL WRITING (CCW) FOR YOU?
· CCW is a strategy for the investor who does not believing in trying to time the market. As long as you are willing to have your cash invested in the specific stock (or index), it is a reasonable idea to own the stock and write the calls. However, if you never want to sell the stock and if your intention is to hold for a long time, then this is not a suitable strategy.
· CCW is for the investor who wants a higher probability of earning a profit with every trade, even when the profit is limited. Clarification: The profit is earned more frequently than the trader who simply buys stock and does not hedge the position by selling a call option.