Writing Options ( aka selling stock options): enhanced income opportunities for investors...
Writing Options is not something that most investors think of when it comes to investing strategies. It's probably because the last thing that comes to their mind is stock options.
Most dismiss them as too risky.
That's mostly because the typical risk tolerance of the average investor is nowhere near the same zip code as the active options trader.
Also, there is no shortage of information relating to the risks associated with stock options, so the average investor is very likely to shy away from options trading altogether.
When you hear the term, "writing options" it refers to selling stock options as opposed to buying stock options.
So selling is called "writing" in the world of options trading.
I know, it would be much simpler to just say selling, but as always, the financial community has to complicate things.
Two Forms of Writing Options...
There are two styles or methods of writing options:
- Covered: the option seller owns the underlying stock that the option is derived from. If the person whom you sold the option to decided to exercise their rights, you would just deliver to them the shares of stock you already have in your account.
- Naked: the option seller does not own the underlying stock that the option is derived from. You would be selling the rights to something that you don't own. Naked option selling has significant risk and is not recommended for novice traders.
Selling Stock Options for Profit...
For every call or put option contract that is purchased on the open market, there is a corresponding sale of that same contract. In other words, someone had to "write" or sell the contract to the buyer in the first place.
If you own a stock that also has listed stock options, that someone could be you, even if you are indeed a conventional, risk-adverse investor.
Selling options against shares you own is called writing covered call options.
Covered calls are sold by investors that own shares of a particular stock who are interested in collecting the "premium" that writing options will add to their portfolio.
For example: a buy and hold investor who owns 300 shares of ABC company worth $50 per share might decide he'd like to collect a nice "dividend" on those shares by writing options against them.
So when you are selling stock options to someone, you are giving them the "right" to purchase stock from you. In exchange for selling these "rights," the buyer is going to pay you money.
This money is yours to keep no matter what happens in the future. If the option doesn't get exercised, you get to keep the money you were paid for selling the option.
While you don't have to actually own a stock to consider writing options against it, doing so carries a great deal of risk compared to writing options against a stock you already own.
Selling someone a stock option without owning the underlying stock is called a "naked" position, since if the option contract is eventually exercised, you will have to purchase the stock at market price in order to sell shares to the option contract holder or buyer.
And if the price of those shares runs counter to your predictions about the market's trend, you may find yourself swallowing significant losses.
Investors who engage in naked option selling should become very familiar with option greeks. The best option sellers are usually those who have a thorough understanding of how to best utilize option greeks.
Consider Selling Stock Options for Extra Profit...
For conservative buy and hold investors, writing options against shares they own provides an excellent opportunity to realize gains without necessarily having to sell the stock shares themselves.
For the aggressive investor, writing options can be a very lucrative opportunity if you manage the risk properly.
Whether you are a periodic speculator or a micromanager of your own retirement portfolio, don't dismiss the idea of selling stock options. You may indeed find the returns attractive, even if your risk profile is as cautious as they come.
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If You're Looking For A Reliable Lower Risk Way To Be
Profitable With Options, Try The "Buffett Strategy"...
I don't know what has brought you to my page. Maybe you are interested in options to help you reduce the risk of your other stock market holdings.
Maybe you are looking for a way to generate a little additional income for retirement. Or maybe you've just heard about options, you're not sure what they are, and you want a simple step-by-step guide to understanding them and getting started with them.
I have no idea if options are even right for you, but I do promise to show you what has worked for me and the exact steps I've taken to use them to earn additional income, protect my investments, and to experience freedom in my life.
If you want to learn more, I invite you to download a FREE video case study on how to trade options like Warren Buffett.
Inside you will discover...
- How investors pay me money to buy their stock.
- How "combining option selling with option buying" resulted in a 60% growth of my account.
- The "Family Freedom Fund" strategy I use to beat the market each year (I'm an experienced investor so your results may vary).
- And lastly, there is a high risk way to trade options and a low risk way. You'll discover a low risk "sleep well at night" method of investing.
Fill in your details below to download your FREE case study. Along with your case study, you'll also get my daily emails where I share my favorite option trading strategies, examples of the trades I'm currently in, and ways to protect your investments in any market.
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