The Simple Covered Call and the Margin Loan

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    The Simple covered call strategy involves buying some shares and then writing a call against them. When you use a margin loan you dont need to put in as much money. It is assumed in these examples that you need to put in 30% of the cash. This works very similar to the simple covered call except there is a bit more math involved and there are more costs involved. The interest rate is assumed to be 10% for the examples. ( The current margin loan rate is more like 8.5% ).

    Also note the option contracts have already lost 2 weeks of time value. So the premium is smaller than it would be normally.

    Buy NCP shares at 23.20 = $232,000

    Only need to put in 30% = $ 69,600

    Brokerage $ 625 (1250 round trip)

    Sell NCP call at 23.50(Aug) for 20c = $ 2,000

    Brokerage $ 60

    If Excercised

    Brokerage $ 625

    Interest $ 1350 a month

    Profit = 232,000-235,000-1250+2000-60-1350

    = $2340 or 3.3% a month or 40% a year

    If Not Excercised

    Interest $ 1350 a month

    Profit = 2000-60-1350 ( -650 once off for brokerage )

    = $590 or 0.8% a month or 10% a year

    Remember The percentage is determined on how much money we put in that being $69,600.

    Risks :

    Read up on the risks on the Internet. There are lots

    Interest costs and Margin calls are an added risk.

    Some Alternative Ways to Trade this Strategy:

    1. Buy a put at a lower strike price thus limiting your downside potential.

    2. Only buy half (Or a certain percentage) of the security. Make sure you purchase the other half somewhere near the strike price.

    3. Sell a put to acquire more shares at a lower price, thus doubling your premium that is received.

    Good Luck Trading.

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