COVERED CALL STRATEGY: 2023 Best 7+ Strategies To Scale Any Trading Condition (Updated)

Covered call strategy
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Covered call strategies are one aspect of the options trading that can never be undermined. New investors need to be abreast with advanced covered call strategy, cover call strategy examples, However, this article will guide you on all of these listed above, not forgetting also best-covered call strategy for income.

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Before we dive into covered call strategies, lets take a brief look at what is covered call.

Covered Call

A covered call is a financial transaction in which the trader selling call options owns an equivalent sum of the underlying security. To execute this, an investor holding a long position in an asset then writes (sells) call options on that same asset to produce an income stream.

A covered call is a risk management and an options strategy. It includes holding a lasting position in the underlying asset, such as stock. It also sells a call option on the underlying asset. Investors commonly employ the strategy who believe that the underlying asset will undergo only insignificant price changes.

Additionally, A covered call relates to a financial transaction in which the investor selling call options owns an equivalent amount of the underlying security. To do this, an investor holding a long position in an asset will write (sell) call options on that same asset to produce an income stream.

Covered Call Strategies

Selling the call obligates investors to sell stock they already own at a strike price if the option is assigned. Some traders will run this strategy after they have already seen pleasant gains on the stock. Often, they will sell out-of-the-money calls, so if the stock price goes up, they are not reluctant to part with the stock and take the profit.

If investors buy stock and sell the calls at the same time, it’s called a ”Buy / Write.” Most traders use a Buy / Write as a means of reducing the cost basis of a stock they have just bought.

However, the call that is sold is basically out of the money (OTM), when an option’s strike price is higher than the market price of the underlying asset. This profit can be made on both the option contract sale and the stock if the stock price stays below the price.

Are Covered Calls Profitable?

Be aware that the covered call has a predetermined profit ceiling, which is reached only if the stock price is above the call’s strike price at expiration. The $40 mark is used as an illustration here. As the share price falls below the strike price, the profit begins to shrink until it reaches the breakeven point.

Can I Lose Money Selling Covered Calls?

If the stock price drops below the breakeven point, the covered call investor incurs a loss. The opportunity risk is present if the stock price rises above the effective selling price of the covered call.

What Is Better Than Covered Calls?

The potential gain in a naked call strategy is limited to the premium collected. Investors who take on naked call positions typically have a neutral to bearish outlook on the underlying asset for the near future. An investor can protect their stock from potential losses and increase their income by selling covered calls.

Covered Call Strategy Example

The covered call strategy has so many examples. However, let’s take a look at this example given below. 

An investor owns shares of a hypothetical company WNE. They like its long-term outlooks as well as its share price. However, they feel that the stock will likely trade relatively low in the shorter term, perhaps within a couple of dollars of its current price of $250.

If they sell a call option on WNE with a strike price of $270, they earn the bonus from the option sale but, for the duration of the option, cap their upside on the stock to $270. Assume the premium they receive for writing a three-month call option is $0.75 ($75 per contract or 100 shares).

One of two cases will play out:

  • WNE shares trade below the $270 strike price. The choice will expire worthlessly, and the investor will keep the premium from the option. In this case, by using the buy-write tactic, they have successfully outperformed the stock. They still own the stock but have an extra $750 in their pocket, fewer fees.
  • WNE shares rise above $270. The choice is performed, and the upside in the stock is capped at $270. If the price goes above $270.750 (strike price plus premium), the investor would have been better off holding it. However, if they planned to sell at $270 anyway, writing the call option gave them an extra $0.750 per share.

Nevertheless, lets take a brief look at some advanced covered call strategies.

Do You Need 100 Shares to Sell Covered Calls?

There are 2 stages to the covered call strategy. Your initial advantage is that you already have the stock. It’s not required to be in multiples of 100 shares, but it must be at least that much. In this case, you’ll be selling (or writing) a call option on a multiple of 100 shares: There is one call for every 100 shares, or two for every 200.

How Much Can I Earn With Covered Calls?

Covered call profits are capped at the difference between the stock’s purchase price and the strike price of the short call option, plus any premium collected on the position. Let’s say you decide to purchase a share of stock at $20 and then sell a call option with a $22 strike price in order to earn a $0.20 premium.

Advanced Covered Called Strategies

An advanced covered call strategy is not helpful for a very bullish nor a very bearish investor. Indeed, If a trader is very bullish, it is better they do not write the option and just hold the stock. The option caps the profit on the stock, which could lessen the total profit of the trade if the stock price goes up. 

Likewise, if a trader is extremely bearish, it will be better off for him to simply sell the stock. Since the premium got for writing a call option will do almost nothing to offset the loss on the stock if the stock falls. 

Now let’s take a brief look at an advanced option spread.

ADVANCED OPTIONS SPREADS

Knowledge of Advanced Options Spreads is vital for traders who want to acquire a deep set of trading skills. 

However, by acquiring the Advanced Options Spread strategies, you start to appreciate the flexibility there is in options trading. Furthermore, you won’t be restricted to “strategy silos”. Nevertheless, you will learn the Art of Trading and how adjustments can be made to resolve almost any situation.

This training centers on diagonal spreads, calendar spreads, and how to combine two into one position to leverage both market movements.  

The training will offer a sound knowledge of calendar spreads, diagonal spread, and how to Manage a Market Tamer position. However, a Market Tamer position involves several option legs. These option legs are Call Debit Spread and Put Debit Spread and Use Monthly or Weekly Expirations.

Furthermore, the Market Tamer strategy is ideal for most any trader and has some of these features.

  • The easy strategy works for all levels of traders.
  • Allot 15 minutes per day to review your position.
  • Shorthold time: average hold time is 5 days.
  • Make changes when necessary.

Additionally, The Market Tamer Strategy is designed to perform the following leverage option.

  • Always leverage the series of equity.
  • Take hold of the decaying time value of options.
  • It earns profits despite market direction.
  • It is good for traders who do not have good charting skills.

When Should I Sell Covered Calls?

Take the next 30-45 days as a ballpark estimate, but use your best judgment. In order to maximize your profit from selling the call option at the desired strike price, you should look for a date that offers a suitable premium. Some stockholders advocate a minimum premium of 2% of the stock’s value as a reasonable target.

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Covered Call Strategy For Income

Using the covered call strategy in getting income is very vital. Indeed, you can be employing these covered call strategies without income. However, let’s see how we can use the covered call strategy for income.

Here, the seller gives the buyer the right to buy shares or contracts at a predetermined future price. However, the buyer pays a premium to the seller. The premium is a cash fee paid on the day the option is sold. Hence, it is the seller’s money to keep, mindless of whether the option is exercised or not.

Furthermore, a covered call is most beneficial if the stock moves up to the strike price. Hence creating profit from the long stock position. However, the call that was sold expires worthless, allowing the call writer to collect the entire premium from its sale.

Best Covered Call Strategies

There are no best covered call strategy. However, all the covered call strategies are best in their own ways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, covered call strategies are vital tool in option trading. Hence these strategies should be employed when investing in covered call option.

Covered Call Strategies FAQ

What is a good covered call strategy?

A covered call is a financial transaction in which the trader selling call options owns an equivalent sum of the underlying security

Can you lose money on covered calls?

The maximum loss on a covered call strategy is limited to the amount you paid for the asset minus the amount of money you got from the option. 

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