Cash-Secured Put vs Covered Call: Which Should You Sell?
Cash-Secured Put vs Covered Call: Which Should You Sell? Cash-secured puts and covered calls are the two most common income-generating options strategies, and traders new to selling premium often ask which one is “better.” The honest answer is that they’re mirror images of the same directional bet — the real question isn’t which strategy is superior, it’s which starting position and which market view you actually have right now. How Each Strategy Is Structured A cash-secured put means selling a put option while setting aside enough cash to buy the stock if you’re assigned. You don’t own the shares yet — you’re being paid a premium for agreeing to buy them at the strike price if the stock falls to (or below) it. See Cash-Secured Put 101 for the full mechanics. ...