My motivation of understanding this managed collar strategy is because of our ESPP stocks for both myself and my wife's. A large portion of them are in regular accounts and not in IRA.
For whatever reason, people are emotionally attached to their stocks. So am I, I guess, specially these are your own companies. Plus, I do not want to pay capital gains unless it is absolutely necessary. I would like to keep the stocks; protect the possible down turn; and enjoy the up turn as much as possible.
The traditional collar strategy calls for buying puts and selling calls at the same time. This provides protection, but also limits the upside. Therefore, it is a conflict to what I wish to accomplish. I do not think this is a bearish strategy. Puts are there to provide the insurance.
I think what I need to figure out are, amoung other things:
1. How not to spend too much to buy the insurance.
2. How not to have my stocks getting called away if I sell calls.
I welcome any suggestions, flames, criticism. I opened my mouth, and will certain expect any unexpected from you all experienced traders.
