Why should you use a covered call strategy?

Why should you use a covered call strategy?
A covered call strategy can be initiated by simultaneously purchasing a stock and selling a call option. It
can also be used by someone who is holding a stock and wants to earn a regular income. Generally, the
call option which is sold/written will be of at-the-money or out-the-money strike price and it will not get
exercised unless the stock price increases above the strike price.
How should you use the covered call strategy?
Choosing between the ideal strikes involves a trade-off between priorities. An investor can select higher
out-the-money strike price and preserve some more upside potential. However, more out-the-money
would generate less premium income, which means that there would be a smaller downside protection in
case of stock decline. The expiration month reflects the time horizon of his market view.
Strategy
Delivery Holdings in a stock & Sell call option
Long Ultra Tech & Short Ultra Tech 7500 CE
Expiry Date 25th Mar 2021
Market Outlook Moderately bullish
Breakeven (Rs.) at expiry Stock price paid-premium received
Maximum Risk Stock price paid-call premium
Reward Limited
Margin required No – If one can pledge the stock holding
Let’s try to understand the Strategy:
Ultra Tech 6870
Strike price Rs.7500
Premium Received (per share) Rs.62
BEP (Current Market Price - Premium paid) Rs. 6808
Lot size (in units) 200
Let us consider the following scenario: Mr. A has a delivery holding of 200 shares of Ultra Tech. Mr A sells
a 9.17% out of the money call option with a strike price of Rs.7500 for Rs.62. The upside profit potential is
limited to the premium received from the call option sold plus the difference between the current market
price of stock at the time of option writing and its strike price.
In the above example, if stock price surges above the 7500 level, then the maximum profit would be
calculated as:(7500-6870+62)*200 = (692*200) = Rs. 1,38,400. If the stock price stays at or below Rs.
7500, the call option will not get exercised and Mr. A can retain the premium of Rs. 12,400 per lot, which
is an extra income. Mr. A can do the similar strategy every month to generate addition income on his stock

holding. For the ease of understanding, concepts such as commission, dividend, margin, tax and other
transaction charges have not been included in the above example.
What to do if the stock price surge above the Call writing strike price?
As we are selling 19 delta OTM strike price, the probability of the stock expiring below the Call writing strike
price is approximately 19%. However, there will be occasions when the Stock could breach the mentioned
strike price, in that case one must follow the following approaches.
1. Give the stock delivery
2. Hold the stock & rollover the call writing positions to the next series
Payoff Schedule:
Note: The covered call strategy is best used when an investor wishes to generate income in addition to
any dividends from shares of stocks he or she owns. However, it may not be a very profitable strategy for
an investor whose main interest is to gain substantial profit and who wants to protect downside risk.