How to Sell Covered Calls; Safe Options Trading Strategies

Are you ready to take the next step and start using options to safely boost your portfolio and returns?  Learn to sell covered calls to bring extra cash into your account, and get paid more when you sell stocks you own.

First, we’ll review basic options concepts and terminology.  If you have already taken the Introduction to Options Trading course, or my course about Selling Cash Secured Puts, this information will be familiar to you, but this time through, I’ve highlighted the most important information for selling covered calls.

Next, I’ll show you how to read an options chain and select a strike price and expiration date that match your investing goals.  You’ll get step by step instructions for selling your first call.  I’ll show you what to expect from the time the contract is opened until it expires.  And I’ll make sure you understand the importance of having shares in your account as collateral in case you are assigned to sell your stock! 

We’ll look at scenarios where a call is “in the money” or “out of the money” at expiration.  I’ll show you how to find your breakeven point, determine your goals for the trade and see if the outcome you get matches your original goals. 

Note: This course is the third of a 3-part “Novice Options Traders” series, but can be taken as a stand-alone course. 

A warning about risk:  All over the internet, you’ll find self-proclaimed gurus who promise you outsized returns. Some of them may even try to convince you to hand your funds over to them so they can invest for you. Taking the wrong advice or giving your funds to someone else to invest can blow your whole portfolio. Even a few trades that go against you can wipe out any gains you make. 

You can count on me to level with you.  I will not make false promises and I will never suggest you give me your money to manage. I am a teacher, not a financial manager. Trading options is not necessarily any riskier than just buying and selling stocks and funds. In fact, there are ways to use options to boost your returns and actually reduce your risk rather than amplify it.

I do want to be clear and honest up front that I am not encouraging the kind of risks that might bring you outsized gains on your overall portfolio. Anyone who promises you that is probably encouraging you to take on more risk than I can justify. But you can use options to pay less for stock you want to own, and to make extra cash on stocks you are willing to sell.  An extra few percentage points on your earnings each year, can really add up over time.  And during a bear market, or even just an expected market correction, using options can reduce your losses and set you up for a bigger recovery. 

Your first assignment will be to use this checklist to see if you are ready to trade options.

Are you ready to trade options?

Check and see if these statements are true for you.

• I have a brokerage account I manage myself.

• I know how to buy and sell shares of stock.

• I know how to choose stocks I want to own.

• I can use limit orders to set my buy and sell prices.

• I have the funds and the risk tolerance to invest at least $5000 in a single company.

• I want to actively manage my account.

• I have the time to check my options positions at least once a week and place orders once or twice a month.

• I am patient and want to build my portfolio safely, over time.

• I like to understand how things work. Don’t just give me a fish; I want to learn to fish.

If these statements are not true of you yet, I suggest you start with myNovice Investors: Introduction to The Stock Marketcourse to build more background knowledge.  Learn how the stock market works and spend a little time buying/selling stocks and funds before you jump into options.  But if you really want to learn about options, go ahead and take the course, but consider a paper trading account to practice before you put your money on the line. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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