Duration: 4:00
Level: Intermediate

Create a covered call in Trader Workstation (TWS) using Strategy Builder.

Study Notes:

From a Watchlist on the Monitor tab, click the underlying symbol you wish to create your covered call trade for. So long as your tabs are part of the same Windows Group, the underlying will appear in the Order Entry panel.

To the right of the Order Entry panel select Strategy Builder from the dropdown menu.

You will see the Option Chain window populate the screen. To the lower left, ensure that the Strategy Builder button is set to On. If you see Off, just click the button to activate.

To create a covered call, first the call option must be identified before the stock leg is added.

Strategy Builder displays option chains at the top of the page with call options to the left and put options to the right of the central strike column. You will see the price and daily change of the underlying to the upper right of the window. Above the Call area you will see tabs for different expirations. Click a tab or to locate additional expiration dates, click on the More tab.

Above the Put area you will see a dropdown menu for Strike prices. Access this menu to change or refine the number of strike prices displayed on the page.

Hovering the cursor above any bid price displays a red background. This indicates that by clicking on the field would create an order to sell that option. Hovering above any ask price displays a blue background indicating that clicking on that field would create an order to buy that option.

When a single strike is clicked upon, the selected leg then populates the Strategy builder panel beneath the option chains window, where it can be manipulated before the order is submitted.

Locate the desired option strike you want to transact.

Click on the relevant price field – and specifically the bid price of the call option – to move the leg down to the Strategy Builder.

To include the underlying stock, expand the plus symbol in the Order Entry panel beneath. Locate Stock Leg and click on the field. The underlying is added to the Strategy Builder display beneath the short call option leg. Close the Advanced display in the Order Entry panel below by clicking the red x button.

Now the two pieces of the covered call are displayed and below the bid/ask column you will see the price quote for the combination. This is the price of the stock leg minus the premium received for the call option.

Use the Order Entry panel at the bottom of the page to create the order. Define the quantity of options to trade. Generally, one option contract covers 100 shares of stock. By selecting a number of options, the software will compute the correct number of underlying shares to transact. Choose the right order type from the dropdown menu. If using a Limit price, choose the value by clicking in the input field or simply typing in the value. Select from the Time-in-Force dropdown whether this is a Day or GTC order. Your order is ready to review. Click the Submit button to generate an Order Confirmation. When you have reviewed the details, click Transmit.

der is sent for execution at the exchange and will appear in the Activity panel to the lower left of Mosaic. To pause or interact with an active order click on it in the Activity panel and make the relevant choice.


Join the Discussion

Thank you for engaging with IBKR Campus. If you have a general question, it may already be covered in our FAQs. If you have an account-specific question or concern, please reach out to Client Services.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Disclosure: Interactive Brokers

The analysis in this material is provided for information only and is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. To the extent that this material discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends or other broad-based economic or political conditions, it should not be construed as research or investment advice. To the extent that it includes references to specific securities, commodities, currencies, or other instruments, those references do not constitute a recommendation by IBKR to buy, sell or hold such investments. This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Before acting on this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, as necessary, seek professional advice.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Interactive Brokers, its affiliates, or its employees.

Disclosure: Options Trading

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Multiple leg strategies, including spreads, will incur multiple commission charges. For more information read the “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options” also known as the options disclosure document (ODD) or visit ibkr.com/occ

Disclosure: Multiple Leg Strategies

Multiple leg strategies, including spreads and straddles, will incur multiple commission charges.