In the summer of 2010 the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) added weekly options to their list of available products.
These work just like their big brothers, the monthlies, except that the weeklies only exist for about 9 days (from Thursday through the following Friday).
Since the time decay in an option is quickest as it nears expiration, the new weeklies make an excellent choice for covered call writers.
Covered call writers have always enjoyed time decay.
They sell a wasting asset and like watching it waste away.
The rate of time decay increases as an option's expiration date nears, so covered call sellers typically capture a large percent of the premium in the final week or two of the option's life.
CBOE knows this and they have provided new products for sellers to take advantage of this time decay.
Let's take a couple of real world examples from today and see what's possible.
It is Friday, July 30, 2010, and the market is about an hour from closing.
We are interested in options that expire in 8 days, next Friday, August 6, 2010.
Here are two examples: (1) Buy AAPL at 258.
10 and sell a 250 strike call option with August 6 expiration for 9.
35.
Your net debit (break even point) is = 248.
75 (258.
10 - 9.
35) Your profit if called away = 1.
25/share (strike minus net debit, 250 - 248.
75) Your return if called = 0.
5% in 8 days, or 23% annualized (if not called, you own AAPL at a cost of 248.
75) or, if you like ETFs: (2) Buy IWM at 65.
20, sell a 63 strike Aug 6 call for 2.
60.
Your net debit = 62.
60 Your profit if called = 0.
40 Your return if called = 0.
64% in 8 days, 29% annualized Now, an annualized rate of return of 23% or 29% may not get you excited.
But for in-the-money CC writers who appreciate downside protection, this is pretty good.
Yes, you can get a higher annualized rate of return with at-the-money options but you are also taking on more risk.
For my money, 2%/month or better with some downside protection is good enough.