How do I sell uncovered calls?

When selling a naked call, you instruct the broker to “sell to open” a call position. Since you do not have an underlying position, you will be forced to buy the security at the market price and sell at the strike price if those calls go in-the-money.

What happens if I sell my call option before expiration?

You can buy or sell to “close” the position prior to expiration. The options expire out-of-the-money and worthless, so you do nothing. The options expire in-the-money, usually resulting in a trade of the underlying stock if the option is exercised.

What happens when your options expire?

Unlike a stock, each option contract has a set expiration date. The expiration date significantly impacts the value of the option contract because it limits the time you can buy, sell, or exercise the option contract. Once an option contract expires, it will stop trading and either be exercised or expire worthless.

Can I short sell call option?

Yes, you can short sell the call option but in case of selling a more risky call option is risk is unlimited and profit is limited.

What happens if call option expires?

A call option has no value if the underlying security trades below the strike price at expiry. You can sell the option to lock in the value, or exercise the option to buy the shares (if holding calls) or sell the shares (if holding puts). Check with your broker to see how in-the-money options are handled at expiration.

What happens when you sell a covered call option?

If the stock rises in value above the strike price, the option may be exercised and the stock called away. Thus selling a covered call limits the price appreciation of the underlying stock. Conversely, if the stock price falls, there is an increased probability that the seller of the XYZ call options will get to keep the premium.

Should I close out my call option before it expires?

2– If you dont have enough funds in your account to receive the stock your broker will alert you ahead of expiration to close out the call option or deposit more funds to receive the stock. If nothing is done the broker may close out your call option at market value. Unless you sold the option for a credit you should close it out before it expires.

What happens when a call option is exercised?

When a call option buyer exercises his right, the naked option seller is obligated to buy the stock at the current market price to provide the shares to the option holder. If the stock price exceeds the call option’s strike price, then the difference between the current market price and the strike price represents the loss to the seller.

Why would you sell April call options?

To capitalize on this expectation, a trader could sell April call options to collect income with the anticipation that the stock will close below the call strike at expiration and the option will expire worthless. This strategy is considered “covered” because the 2 positions (owning the stock and selling calls) are offsetting.