INTC Options Trading — Covered Calls, Puts & the Wheel

A complete guide to selling options on Intel Corporation. Expected premiums, strike selection, real example trades, and the four strategies that actually work for INTC.

TechnologyLarge-capHigh IVExcellent liquidityPays dividend

Why trade options on INTC?

INTC (Intel Corporation) is a large-cap technology name with a low share price and excellent options liquidity. Implied volatility is high enough to pay meaningful premium without being wild, which is why this ticker shows up frequently in wheel-strategy watchlists. It also pays a dividend, which adds a second income stream on top of the premium you collect.

Typical monthly premium collected on INTC runs around 2.0-3.5% of capital, which annualizes to roughly 24-42% if you sell new contracts every cycle. Capital required to run a single contract wheel on INTC is under $5,000 — the share price and the 100-share lot size set the minimum, not the strategy.

Live Data Snapshot

Stock price range$20-28
Avg monthly premium3.0-5.0%
Annualized return36-60%
IV rankHigh (55-75)
Options liquidityExcellent
Dividend yield1.5%

See the full INTC case study at /stocks/intc-covered-calls-cash-secured-puts for a sample trade and full strategy breakdown.

Four strategies that work on INTC

INTC options FAQ

What is the best strike price for a INTC covered call?

On INTC, target 8-12% out of the money at 0.15-0.25 delta. On a high-volatility stock like this, closer-to-the-money strikes chase premium but spike assignment probability to uncomfortable levels.

How much premium can I collect selling calls on INTC?

Typical monthly premium on INTC is 2.0-3.5% of position value, annualizing to 24-42% when you roll every cycle. Earnings months can pay 2-3x the normal rate because of elevated IV.

What is the best delta for a INTC cash-secured put?

A delta of 0.15-0.25 on INTC balances premium income with assignment probability. Many traders anchor to 0.20 delta as a starting point and adjust based on their willingness to own shares.

How much cash do I need to sell a put on INTC?

Cash required is 100 × strike price. For INTC, that's roughly under $5,000 per contract at a typical strike. Most brokers let you use margin, but for a true cash-secured put you set aside the full amount.

Is INTC a good stock for the wheel strategy?

INTC is excellent for the wheel because of its penny-wide spreads and elevated IV (high premium, higher assignment risk). It also pays a dividend, which you continue collecting while holding the shares between wheel legs.

Can you run a poor man's covered call on INTC?

Yes. Buy a 0.80+ delta LEAPS on INTC dated 12-18 months out as your synthetic long, then sell short-dated calls 8-12% above the stock at 0.15-0.25 delta. Capital tied up drops from under $5,000 to roughly 30-50% of that — a meaningful improvement when the share price is a low share price.

What expiration should I use for INTC options strategy trades?

Use 21-35 DTE to capture IV without excess gamma risk as a default for INTC. This window captures the steepest part of the theta curve without excess gamma risk.

Is INTC suitable for beginners selling options?

Yes — it's a well-known, liquid name with established options markets, which is what beginners need.

Run the numbers on INTC yourself

Use the free OptionsPilot calculator to price covered calls and cash-secured puts on INTC with live quotes.

Open the INTC Strike Finder →