Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

kenw232

Simple Long Call Question

Recommended Posts

Hello, I'm new to options trading. Is someone allowed to "sell to close" a Long Call before the strike price is reached?

 

For example AAPL is at about 402 a share now in middle of May. I come in and buy 1 contract of "Jul 20th - $600.00 Strike" for .35 cents for a total cost of $35.

 

Say in June AAPL moves up to about 520 a share. Can I lock that profit in by selling to close the call now? Or do I have to wait until it hits the 600 strike price or until the expiry date on July 20 to find out what happens?

 

Thanks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Say in June AAPL moves up to about 520 a share. Can I lock that profit in by selling to close the call now? Or do I have to wait until it hits the 600 strike price or until the expiry date on July 20 to find out what happens?

 

Thanks.

 

You can book the profit by selling the call of the same expiry (i.e. July 20) date and same strike (i.e. 600).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hello, I'm new to options trading. Is someone allowed to "sell to close" a Long Call before the strike price is reached?

 

For example AAPL is at about 402 a share now in middle of May. I come in and buy 1 contract of "Jul 20th - $600.00 Strike" for .35 cents for a total cost of $35.

 

Say in June AAPL moves up to about 520 a share. Can I lock that profit in by selling to close the call now? Or do I have to wait until it hits the 600 strike price or until the expiry date on July 20 to find out what happens?

 

Thanks.

 

Ken, of course you can sell your Long Call anytime. But by the way, AAPL is not at 402, your message is from yesterday , its over 450 ..

 

Hari

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What if my Long Call already had a Call Sold to offset the premium. So its was a Call Spread. If I sold a Call again to book the profit would I have to buy another Long Call to offset the original Call Sold too?

 

Hope that makes sense...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hello, I'm new to options trading. Is someone allowed to "sell to close" a Long Call before the strike price is reached?

 

For example AAPL is at about 402 a share now in middle of May. I come in and buy 1 contract of "Jul 20th - $600.00 Strike" for .35 cents for a total cost of $35.

 

Say in June AAPL moves up to about 520 a share. Can I lock that profit in by selling to close the call now? Or do I have to wait until it hits the 600 strike price or until the expiry date on July 20 to find out what happens?

 

Thanks.

 

yes - you can buy and sell most options like this any time you want.

 

(You cannot exercise certain options at any time - this may be where you are confused - this is the difference between American and European options)

 

Also dont be sucked into thinking you have to exercise the option in order to sell it as well. The option is simply an instrument that has an expiry date by which time it is either worth something (in which case you roll it to another option series, or exercise it or be assigned) or worth zero

 

You are clearly new at this and i would suggest you keep asking these type of questions (which is a good thing) and read a lot more - options are not necessarily that simple to grasp.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
What if my Long Call already had a Call Sold to offset the premium. So its was a Call Spread. If I sold a Call again to book the profit would I have to buy another Long Call to offset the original Call Sold too?

 

Hope that makes sense...

 

Ken, I thought you were new to Options. You're unnecessarily taking complicated positions if you really are new. If you sold a call, you'd be a "naked seller", with exposure to unlimited losses. With Options, you need to keep it simple man..especially when you're learning. Whenever you have more short in your account than Long, you are naked short, and if you're a beginner you should never be naked short (Calls or Puts).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Ken, I thought you were new to Options. You're unnecessarily taking complicated positions if you really are new. If you sold a call, you'd be a "naked seller", with exposure to unlimited losses. With Options, you need to keep it simple man..especially when you're learning. Whenever you have more short in your account than Long, you are naked short, and if you're a beginner you should never be naked short (Calls or Puts).

 

Hello Option Tiger, I agree with you but shorting (selling) a deep out of the money is call / put make sense when we are trading in an options.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hello Option Tiger, I agree with you but shorting (selling) a deep out of the money is call / put make sense when we are trading in an options.

 

Larry, I do naked shorts all the time. I just would not advise a newbie to do it (which is what this thread was about)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Larry, I do naked shorts all the time. I just would not advise a newbie to do it (which is what this thread was about)

 

I believe it depends upon the risk appetite of the trader whether he / she wants to short options or not.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • $ARRY Array Technologies stock great day off the 10.96 double support area, from Stocks To Watch, https://stockconsultant.com/?ARRY
    • $MSFT Microsoft stock back up top of the range, breakout watch , https://stockconsultant.com/?MSFT
    • GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin stock top of range breakout watch , https://stockconsultant.com/?GBTC
    • $FSLR First Solar stock nice bull flag breakout, from Stocks To Watch, https://stockconsultant.com/?FSLR
    • Date: 22nd May 2024. UK Inflation Drop Boosts GBP, But Analysts See Correction Signals. The NASDAQ forms its 5th bullish wave resulting in the index trading 8% higher this month alone. Investors are waiting for NVIDIA’s earnings report. The market awaits the release of the latest FOMC Meeting Minutes for further indications on the potential rate adjustments. The US Dollar Index declines to a 7-week low, but can tonight’s Meeting Minutes change the trend? Read below what economists are predicting. UK inflation declines from 3.2% to 2.3% in its largest drop since December 2023. The Pound increases as the inflation rate did not decline to 2.1% as previously GBPUSD – UK Inflation Drops But Does Not Meet Previous Expectations! The GBPUSD is trading 0.30% higher after the release of April’s UK inflation figures. The US Dollar and the Japanese Yen are the worst performing currencies of the day. Traders looking to speculate a rising Pound may benefit from these weakening currencies. The GBPJPY is trading 0.47% higher so far. However, investors should be cautious of any change in price action as the next session (European Market) opens. The UK’s inflation figure fell from 3.2% to 2.3% which is the largest drop in 2024 so far and brings the Bank of England closer to its target. This would normally pressure the currency, but there are some factors which have triggered a bullish Pound. This includes the Core Consumer Price Index which fell from 4.2% to 3.9% instead of falling to 3.6% which were the previous expectations. Also, certain sectors did not see a decline in inflation in April, which is a continued concern. For these reasons, investors have increased their exposure to the Pound, supporting the currency. Also, economists are advising that the weakening inflation rate can increase investment demand which also further supports the country’s economy and subsequently the currency. Furthermore, investors will also need to take into consideration the price condition of the US Dollar individually. Dollar traders will be focusing on tonight’s Federal Open Market Committee’s Meeting Minutes. The market will particularly be looking for clarity on how many adjustments are likely in 2024, if any at all. In addition to this, if an adjustment is likely in July, September or later in the year. If the report indicates less cuts and a delay, the US Dollar potentially can witness further demand and a change in trend. This is something which was particularly seen in April 2024. The price action of the GBPUSD is forming a bullish trend and most trend-based indicators are signalling a higher price. However, there are signs that the price may correct back to the previous range. For example, on the 4-Hour chart the price is witnessing a divergence signal. in addition to this, the price is also trading at a significant resistance level from November, December and January. Though, for the resistance level to become active, the Dollar will likely require support from the upcoming Meeting Minutes. In the short term, sell signals are likely to materialize after crossing 1.27400 and 1.27268.   USA100 – Bullish Trend, But Investor Focus On Meeting Minutes & NVIDIA Earnings The NASDAQ saw a decline in the price as the US Open was approaching, however, the price momentum quickly changed when US investors started trading. The index rose 0.30% by the end of day and was the best performing US index. During the US Session 62.5% of stocks holding a weight of more than 1.00% rose while 37.5% fell. The main price drivers which supported the upward price movement were Microsoft, Alphabet, Apple, NVIDIA and Netflix. Investors will closely be monitoring the upcoming earnings report for NVIDIA, but also the FOMC’s Meeting Minutes. A more restrictive monetary policy can pressure the stock market, but the level of pressure and downward price movement will also depend on the results of NVIDIA’s earnings. Additionally, shareholders will also focus on Intuit’s Quarterly Earnings Report tomorrow evening, but this will have a lesser effect compared to NVIDIA. A concern for intraday traders is the decline in indices around the world in markets which are currently open. For example, the DAX, FTSE100, CAC and Nikkei225 are all trading lower. In addition to this, the US 10-Year Bond Yields are trading 0.0027% higher which is additional pressure on equities. Nonetheless, technical analysis in the medium to longer term continue to point to a continued upward trend. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Michalis Efthymiou Market Analyst HFMarkets Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.