In late 2010, you purchased the common stock of a company that has reported significant earnings increases in nearly every quarter since your purchase. The price of the stock increased from $ 12 a share at the time of the purchase to a current level of $ 45. Notwith-standing the success of the company, competitors are gaining much strength. Further, your analysis indicates that the stock may be over-priced based on your projection of future earnings growth. Your analysis, however, was the same one year ago and the earnings have continued to increase. Actions that you might take range from an outright sale of the stock ( and the payment of capital gains tax) to doing nothing and continuing to hold the shares. You reflect on these choices as well as other actions that could be taken. Describe the various actions that you might take and their implications.

Maybe sell calls at a strike above the present price. Use that income to buy puts at a strike price lower than present price. That limits your future gains to the amount between present and call strike but gives you protection against a catastrophic fall.