Covered CallMSFT · USRisk: Low

Covered Call on Microsoft Corporation

Complete example: Covered Call on Microsoft (MSFT) — including strikes, premium, break-even, and interactive payoff diagram.

Market view

Neutral to mildly bullish

Complexity

Beginner

Sector

Tech

Typical price

$430

Underlying

Microsoft Corporation for Options Traders

Microsoft Corporation is considered one of the most stable large-cap tech stocks, with predictable revenue growth from Azure Cloud, Office 365, and LinkedIn. With typical IV of 18-30% — low for a tech stock — Microsoft excels as a "quality underlying" for conservative options strategies such as covered calls, cash-secured puts, and collars to protect existing positions.

Symbol

MSFT

Market

IV range

18–30%

Currency

USD

Options note: Excellent US liquidity; weekly expirations; strikes in $2.50/$5 increments; AAA credit rating adds quality as a portfolio underlying.

Overview

Covered Call — Quick Overview

In a covered call, you sell a call option against shares you already own. You immediately receive a premium credited to your account, regardless of how the stock moves. In return, you agree to sell your shares at the strike price if the option goes in-the-money at expiration. This strategy is ideal for investors who want to generate regular income from existing positions in flat to mildly rising markets.

Advantages

Immediate cash flow from premium received
Effectively reduces the cost basis of the stock
Maximum loss clearly defined (stock can only fall to zero)
Simple to implement — ideal for options beginners

Disadvantages

Caps upside: profit potential above the strike is surrendered
No full downside protection if the stock falls sharply
Dividend rights remain but early assignment risk around ex-dividend date
Eurex options on DAX stocks often less liquid than US options

Full Covered Call Guide

Example Trade

Covered Call on Microsoft

Illustrative example based on a typical Microsoft price of $430. Strikes and premiums are indicative — actual market prices will vary.

Position	Type	Strike	Action	Premium
100 Shares (held)	Stock position	$430	Long (entry price)	—
Short Call (sold)	Call	$450	Sell (credit)	+$6,45
Net credit received				+$6,45 ($645 per contract)

Max Profit

$2.645

per contract

Max Loss

-$42.355

per contract

Break-even

$424

Payoff

Payoff Diagram at Expiration

Profit and loss of the Covered Call on Microsoft depending on the price at expiration. Values per contract (100 shares).

Suitability

Why Covered Call for Microsoft?

The low to moderate IV of this stock produces reliable, if conservative, covered call premiums of 0.8-1.5% monthly. As an income strategy on a defensive stock, 5% OTM strikes with 30-45 day terms are recommended. Roll the call when it has lost 50% of its value.

When is the right time?

1IV Rank above 30% — higher IV means richer premiums
2Neutral to mildly bullish outlook on the underlying
3Already holding a stock position in the account
4Willingness to sell shares if the stock rallies to the strike
5No upcoming earnings event within the option term

FAQ

FAQ: Covered Call on Microsoft

How do I choose the right strike for a covered call?

The strike should be 3-8% above the current price (out-of-the-money) so you can still participate in some upside. A popular approach is the 30-delta rule: choose the strike where the option delta is around 0.25-0.35. Higher strikes offer less premium but allow more upside. Lower strikes provide more premium but increase the likelihood of assignment.

When should I roll a covered call?

Rolling makes sense when the option is moving toward the money and there are 7-14 days until expiration. You buy back the old call and sell a new one with a later expiration and possibly a higher strike. A common rule: roll when the sold option shows a loss of 150-200% of the original premium. Never roll just to hide a loss — if the stock fundamentals have deteriorated, close the position entirely.

What happens if my stock rises above the strike and I get assigned?

For American-style options (US stocks), assignment typically happens only at expiration. Your 100 shares are sold at the strike price and you keep the full premium. Your total gain is (strike − purchase price + premium) × 100. For European-style options (e.g., SAP options on Eurex), settlement only occurs at expiration — no early assignment is possible.

Do covered calls work on DAX stocks too?

Yes, covered calls on German stocks like SAP, Allianz, or Siemens are tradeable on the Eurex. Liquidity is decent for major DAX stocks but typically lower than US options. Bid-ask spreads are wider, slightly reducing effective premium. Eurex single-stock options are generally European-style with physical settlement — always check your broker's contract specifications.

How much premium can I realistically expect from covered calls?

For stable stocks with lower IV (15-25%), expect typically 0.5-1.5% of stock value per month. For more volatile stocks (IV 30-50%), it can be 2-4%. Annualized, this represents 6-18% in additional yield. These premiums are not guaranteed and vary greatly with market volatility. In calm markets (VIX below 15), premiums drop significantly.

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