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L.4 · INTERMEDIATE · 2 MIN

Covered Calls and Protective Puts

Covered calls and protective puts are the gateway strategies for stock investors entering the options world. They combine stock ownership with a single option to modify the risk/return profile.

Quiz · 5 questions ↓
§ 01
Covered CallProtective Put
You hold100 shares + short 1 call100 shares + long 1 put
ObjectiveGenerate incomeInsure against downside
PremiumYou receive itYou pay it
UpsideCapped at strikeUnlimited (minus put cost)
DownsideStock loss minus premiumLimited at put strike
Market viewNeutral to mildly bullishBullish but nervous
§ 02

Covered calls are the most popular options strategy among individual investors. They work best in flat or mildly bullish markets. In strong bull markets, you leave money on the table. In bear markets, the small premium barely cushions the loss.

§ 03
Covered Call Yield = Premium / Stock Price × (365 / Days to Expiry)
§ 04
Find a stock you own and price out a covered call 5–10% above the current price. Calculate the annualized premium yield. Compare it to the stock’s dividend yield.
§ 05
You’ve been selling monthly covered calls for 2% premium per month. The stock surges 20% this month. What happened?
§ 06

Before selling a covered call, ask: ‘Would I be happy selling at this strike price?’ If the answer is yes, sell the call. If you’d be devastated to miss a rally, the premium isn’t worth the opportunity cost.

§ 07
You own 100 shares of AAPL at $200. Sell a $210 covered call for $3 premium. AAPL surges to $250 at expiry. P&L vs holding stock outright?
Five questions · AI feedback

Sit with the ideas.

You own 100 shares of XYZ at $100. You sell a $110 call expiring in 30 days for $2. At expiration, XYZ is at $115. What is your total return?

Why:
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