When The Out Of The Money Covered Call Writing Strategy Fails Miserably

By Marc Abrams

Many websites and e-books on investment training strategies promise you incredible things. Writing Covered call options on stock is one of the most popular trading strategies taught today. These websites promise that you can earn up to 10% monthly returns using that very strategy. Sound good? Read on.

I will be the first to admit that selling out-of-the-money covered calls can bring lucrative monthly returns under the right circumstances. This strategy has been successfully used by me. However, this strategy is not without its disadvantages. The public has not been properly educated by the website and e-book marketers. They market this strategy as conservative with little risk. They leave you holding the bag when it all goes wrong.

When the stock market is rising in value selling out of the money covered calls works well. Additionally, when the stock market is neutral (not going up or down by any meaningful amount), this strategy also works well. Please tell me when the last time was that the stock market remained neutral for any length of time?

The current market seems to be bouncing all over the place. The Dow frequently moves as much as 200 points either way in a single day. This is not an ideal market for an out of the money covered call writer. Your profits will start to evaporate once the stock you are holding starts to decline. Believe me, those profits can evaporate very quickly. I have seen the value of a stock drop from $10 to $1 over night! An option sale will never yield enough premium to cover that kind of a loss.

The key to out-of-the-money covered call writing is to select stocks that will get called. Too many advocates of this strategy do not want the stock to get called. They want you to keep the stock so you can sell a covered call option on it the next month. This is a flawed strategy. You need to select stocks that are trending up in value, hence, a rising market. Those are the stocks that will maximize your profit. If the stock gets called, I know I ended up making my maximum anticipated return.

What if the stock shoots way up in value? If the stock shoots up through the strike price and remains there at expiration, it simply gets called away. Isn't that what you wanted to begin with? You may think you left money on the table by not being able to participate in those gains. If that upsets you then just buy the stock outright and don't sell covered call options on that stock. Instead, let the stock get called away and take your profit for the month. Then look for another stock to buy and sell calls on for the next month.

Remember, you can create an excellent source of income selling out of the money covered calls in a rising stock market. However, the stock market we find ourselves in today is less than ideal for this strategy. There are other strategies, however, that offer significant protection in a declining or volatile stock market. - 23162

About the Author:

Marc Abrams Is A Certified Public Accountant With Over 15 Years of Financial And Investing Experience. Visit Marc's Website at http://www.rebuildingmyfuture.com To Learn More About Successful Covered Call Option Writing Strategies In Today's Stock Market.

Defining Online Foreign Currency Trading

By Zadoc Robinson

With the sudden progression of technology today, individuals from all walks of life are entrusting their PC and online connection so they can adhere to their accomplishments and passions in life. This is particularly befitting in online forex currency trading.

The practice of trading a currency for another like US Dollars for British Pounds based on the present profit margins and exchange rates is alike with selling and buying stock in the stock markets except the reality that currency isnt grasp for very extended continuous instabilities in the market cost.

Since the world wide web never stops and the benefit of having a online connection, whenever time permits you will be able to aggrandize your contact in forex trading. Originally, you have to organize a currency trading account on various online trading sites.

For the duration of this moment, you may want to consider looking into an automated Forex currency trading application to go along with. Apart from that you will need to first fund your online account. After you have attained everything, you're now ready to commence.

Accommodating the world time zone, you will have to adjudicate which market you want to part take in and which ones are pertinent to your current lifestyle. This is something to ponder while utilizing any automated application when you are trading.

Taking into account the breaks to conceive bounteous amounts of revenues is accessible when trading in augmented volumes. This is a noteworthy factor to remember when you are distinguishing the markets that you are interested in trading into. This is another advantage when you are planning to start a career in currency trading.

Another benediction when you are engineering currency trading online is that you can earnestly remove the middle man, as well as to monitor your trades placing orders whether to buy or sell as you prefer, and not worrying about paying any commission for the task. This is positively true to a lot of online currency trading programs currently on the market, this fee seems to be incorporated with the price of the application.

Buy any application you should ensure to review the instructions as you would not like to be the center of the lucrative trade and then eventually realizing that you are paying more cash to finish your internet currency trading transaction.

As you are genuinely seeking for a program that will take care of your trades when you are not presently on your computer, make sure that you have researched about it and it is qualified to support you along the way. Also do your due diligence in order to find out what systems will be able to train you more and be able to learn the highs and lows of this very risky but lucrative industry. Keep in mind that you will not become an overnight success story and that there are plenty to be learned in this field, remember preparation is key. - 23162

About the Author:

About the author: Zadoc Robinson has been using a particular software to make money in the forex market. Visit his site to get free information about using a forex software.

ETF Trading Signals Maximizes My Returns In a Low Risk Investment

By Taylor Bans

Investing in the stock market can be risky. I'm always looking for new strategies to grow my money without too much risk. ETFs are a great way to invest, but with low risk, the returns aren't as good as with other trading instruments. Then I stumbled across ETF Trading Signals.

By using the information from ETF Trading Signals, I've been able to increase my yield without increasing my risks. If you don't know about ETFs, they are like a mutual fund, a group of companies that trade as a single issue. The companies may be grouped by industry or other commonalities like geographic location. So If you decide to invest in the oil industry, you are investing in several companies when you buy an ETF.

Instead of considering my ETFs as long term financial instruments, I started looking at them as I would any other stock. The low buy in meant that I didn't have to tie up as much capital as I did with some other methods. It isn't as fast as hot stocks, I usually hold my ETFs for one or two months, but following the tips from ETF Trading Signals has helped me to make more in this market than I thought I could. I owe my friend a nice dinner.

I was thinking about buying some ETFs to add to my portfolio with my other long term investments. I started checking out websites that brokered ETFs and I came across ETF Trading Signals. ETF Trading Signals is a site that keeps track of the highest performing ETFs on the market. They even send alerts and give advice on the most profitable ETFs every month. I already keep track of hot stocks and this looked like a good idea.

I've been using ETF Trading Signals for about six months and so far they picks have been right more often than they've been wrong. I've made more than I expected to in the ETF market, and my investment capital hasn't been tied up for long periods. I've still minimized my risk while increasing my yield.

This type of investment is not for everyone. I like to use a variety of strategies in my approach to the market. I invest a certain amount each month in each one. ETFs are more long term than hot stocks or trend following, but you can get your capital out when you need to, and by keeping tabs on the market you can make a better profit than you might expect.

So far, by following ETF Trading Signals I've been able to stay ahead of the curve and make more on my investments than I expected to when I decided to enter this market. I often make more with my other methods, but I also risk more and I have taken heavy losses on hot stocks in the past. The risk is so much lower for ETFs, that I'm more likely to sell because I'm not happy with the return than because of any financial loss on the issue.

I recommend ETF Trading Signals to anyone who is thinking about entering the ETF market. It may not be the fastest way to make a buck, but you can't have everything and this is a great investment if you can't afford to lose a lot. If you haven't considered ETFs, you should certainly investigate the market's potential. - 23162

About the Author:

Go to ETF Trading Signals and sign up for their free newsletter to receive the best ETF of the month or find more about their ETF trading service.

Why Not Swing Trading? (Part II)

By Ahmad Hassam

Day traders often rake up major commissions charges if they are trading stocks which makes it that much more difficult to beat the overall market. In case of currency trading, the cost of trading is hidden in the bid/ask spreads offered by the broker. So the more you day trade, the higher your trading cost will become. In the end, if you are unable to breakeven, you cannot survive long in day trading.

Swing trading also entails facing stiff trading costs in the shape of spread in case of currencies or commissions if you are trading stocks. But these trading costs are nothing as severe as in day trading. Because price action spans several days to several weeks, market fundamentals can come into play to a larger degree as compared to day trading.

The holding period is longer in swing trading than in day trading. Swing trading can also generate higher potential profits on single trades. Day to day currency movements are due less to market fundamentals and more to short term supply and demand of currencies or shares.

There is a misconception that day trading can be taken as a hobby. Day trading demands lots of attention and time commitment from you. It is stressful and a winning position can turn into a losing one within seconds. You have to have strong nerves, if you want to permanently take on day trading.

Now the good thing about swing trading is that you can take it full time or part time. Swing trading currency markets can be very profitable. Currency markets are open 24/5 so you can enter or exit a position even after hours. Swing trading with an eye on earning additional income or improving the returns on your portfolio is less stressful than swing trading for a living.

Part time swing trading means doing market analysis when you get home from work! After you have done your analysis and made your trading plan, you can implement trades the following day! You can enter stop loss orders to protect your capital even though you may not be able to watch the market all day. You should first go through this phase of part time swing trading first if you eventually want full time swing trading.

If you have a full time job but can devote a few hours a week to analyzing markets and securities or currencies, swing trading part time is suitable for you. If you are achieving subpar results in your current investment portfolios from your financial advisors or third party then you can take up part time swing trading. You should have a passion for financial markets and short term trading.

Again swing trading is not for fun. Part time swing trading is for you if you are not a gambler. Swing trading is for you if you dont take undue risks like doubling down your positions after a losing trade. You should also have the discipline to consistently place stop loss orders.

By swing trading you are able to commit less capital to the markets to reach extraordinary gains as compared to day trading where your capital requirements may be larger and gains lower. At the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that you need to determine your trading style before you become serious in trading. What do you think? Are you a Swing Trader? - 23162

About the Author:

Mr. Ahmad Hassam is a Harvard University Graduate. He is interested in day trading stocks and currencies. Know Swing Trading. Learn Forex Trading!

Types Of Foreclosure Scams

By Doc Schmyz

Home foreclosure is becoming a far more common problem now then it was just a few years ago. Often it originates from one missed payment which soon spirals out of control. Before you know it you have missed three or four payments and the mortgage lender or bank wants you to pay everything you owe all at once, right then and there. Often this is a major burden to the homeowner and in the end they must decide on some sort of plan of action...this is normally where some one can fall for a scam.

Foreclosure scams are very common as much as the problem itself. Since homeowners believe that they have no choice they fall for these traps, which of course make their situation much worse than it was. Not only is the stress of the foreclosure an issue, but then the fallout from the scam starts...and brings additional stress.

The people who work these scams advertise online, publish advertisements in the local newspaper, distribute flyers, and call houses which are included on the foreclosure list. They call themselves "mortgage consultants/real estate investment planners" who offer foreclosure services or advertise with "We buy houses" signs.

Then most common scams:

Bankruptcy/ Foreclosure Scam

The promise here is that the house will be saved. In return they will either ask for the homeowner to pay their mortgage directly to them, hand over their deed and pay rent, or obtain refinancing. of course they don't do ANYTHING to fulfill the other end of the bargain, they don't contact your lender or obtain refinancing for you. They keep all the money and file bankruptcy without your knowledge.

Since the homeowner is not aware that bankruptcy has been filed, they fail to participate in the case. The case is dismissed and the house continues onto foreclosure. Apart from loosing money and your home, you will also have a bankruptcy on your record.

Equity skimming

The scam operator poses as a buyer. They then promise the homeowner to pay the mortgage or given them a sum of money once the property has been sold. The operator then convinces the homeowner to sign over the deed and move out. The homeowner can stay but they have to pay rent. If they opt to move out the operator lets a third party rent the property. The scam operator of course does not pay the mortgage and lets the mortgage lender foreclose all the while stemming off questions from the original home owner about where they are in the "process."

In the event the house has equity, the scam operator sells the property and pays off the debt. (And keeps the equity that the homeowner could have had if they sold it.)

Should you find yourself facing ANY of the above mentioned situations....contact a local mortgage office and ask them if they have ever heard of a "program" like the one you would be offered...if they say no....call the local police and ask for the consumer fraud division. - 23162

About the Author:

Doc Schmyz has invested all over the US and Mexico. He built a free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find Real estate investing information by state