First time in this. Recent IPO. Stock was at $43.38
08/20/2021 $40 Call at $7.23
08/20/2021 $45 Call at $4.99
08/20/2021 $50 Call at $3.31
Author Archives: jefflsmith
SPY IC Ladder Update…continuing to improve
Assigned on NIO covered call on Friday….will reopen new position
Life got in the way yesterday and missed rolling the short calls…assigned on DVN
Update on SPY Ladder Strategy….lot of activity….not much to show for it yet….
The SPY Ladder Strategy is not contributing much to the account….so far. Hopefully things will improve with experience.
We started the ladder in Feb selling March IC’s. As we approach 21 DTE we close and open new positions 45-50 days out (if available). We have opened 302 positions……600+ trades including closing. So far Schwab is making more money than I am! Commissions are slightly higher than the profits so far.
What am I learning….
- It is really hard not to adjust….which I should not be doing. Adjusting takes incremental investment. The IC’s are each defined risk….and I should let them ride. I have rolled up the untested side on a number of occasions but the end result is narrowing the spread of the body. When the SPY moves in the other direction it doesn’t take long to put the rolled position under pressure.
- Need to establish wider “width” in the IC body. At least 30 delta. Premiums are much more attractive at 20…..always tempting to go narrower.
- Very hard to make money if volatility goes below 15 when establishing a new position. Need to be more disciplined and refrain from new positions with SPY IV at 12-13.
- Positions are carrying unrealized gain of $2,547……which is promising if we can realize a good percent of it.
- Schwab platform isn’t the easiest to work with when rolling spreads….figuring out how much a credit for the untested side so you know how much you can spend rolling up the tested side without incremental investment…time consuming with lots of “fiddling”. If you have suggestion on how to do this better in Schwab feel free to comment! It looks much quicker on TT….I have gotten quicker and now have an IC Roll Layout with two All-in-one boxes open on the right and the positions on the left.
- I started increasing the sizes….initially they were 2 and 3 contracts….now 5 to 8.
- Need to get better with establishing skewed positions…
Graph below shows the daily P/L for the strategy. Table on the right is profit and return. 8% annualized return needs to improve. Would like to get this to a minimum of 20%. Willing to take on higher risk (bigger positions) if the return can be improved.
Hope this is interesting for some of you. No plans to stop yet…….
Amazon Covered Call Strategy- One Year In
CC on CVS Working out so far….
Trying to counter Lumber prices!
CC vs CC + BuPS on ABT and LNC
Comparison after 300 days ….positions remain open
I should have mentioned in the original post that if the stock declines in value the BuPS adds to the loss…..
Tracking Dividend Stocks for Covered Calls
Appreciate all the posts and helpful culture of the site. Hoping this might help some out.
Over the past couple of weeks I increased my focus on writing CC’s against stocks with attractive dividends. I created the attached Google sheet to help out.
Worksheet has a fair amount of automation. User is responsible to add a ticker in the proper week from Jan to Mar. Ticker gets added in the appropriate spot for Q2,Q3 and Q4. Income sheet looks up the ticker on Yahoo and returns exdiv date and yield (yield is shown as a negative for some reason as exdate and yield are in the same Yahoo cell with yield in brackets). User adds the number of shares for the ticker on the income sheet. Worksheet calculates the monthly, quarterly and annual dividend income for the tickers you own.
i find it to be a good visual tool so you can see what is coming and not get shares called away because you miss the exdiv date. It also allows me to quickly identify potential candidates on my list.
Yahoo link seems to work well….but it can be slow. If I like using I might purchase a more reliable data source.c
A picture of what the first page looks like is below. Feel free to make suggestions.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IpL-ogLz3YJQKfdKE7OtuIEaleRoBcCYHDCaK_dEbVY/edit?usp=sharing
SPY Ladder after 74 days…not making money yet….
11 Months into AMAZ Covered Call Campaign
NIO and VIAC Covered Calls
ABT CC….ABT misses on revenue….might be opportunity to add
If you want some entertainment on a Saturday morning check out this post on Reddit
The post has over 100 comments referencing the ‘No one in my real life…..’ comments are probably applicable to most of the traders in this group…..sorry for not creating a direct link and suggesting you search for in on Reddit….but it is worth a few minutes of your time
SPY Ladder Update…..going the wrong way!
SPY Ladder…..
Assigned on NUE…..evaluating dividend capture strategy on series of stocks to see if it is scalable…
Assigned on SDC
Why we do covered calls….
Closed Position on MOS….IC rescued CC
Closed MU Position
A bright spot on down day…..
Update on SDC Covered Call Strategy after 422 Days….
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/03/21/covered-call-strategy-with-sdc-smile-direct-club-after-422-days-144230-unrealized-profit-123-return-or-107-annualized-return/
Smile Direct Club has been a good candidate for writing covered calls against. The weekly option premiums are excellent. To date the combination is generating a return of 123% or 107% annualized. Stock price has dropped significantly from Jan ($14+) to Mar ($11). Option premiums have helped offset some of lost profit on the stock. Overall this remains one of our key positions.
Assigned on INMD, good trade but wasn’t ready for the shares to get called yet
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/03/20/assigned-on-inmd-profit-of-6675-in-66-days-25-return-or-140-annualized/
Despite trying a lot of different strategies in Schwab accounts my IB Account with primarily covered calls is outperforming……
Sort of frustrating to spend most of the trading time managing and experimenting with different trading strategies in my Schwab accounts and have the IB account that I don’t spend much time on outperform by a significant margin. I either need to improve my trading skills or not trade as much!
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/03/16/ib-account-update-performing-much-better-than-larger-schwab-accounts-where-i-invest-far-more-time-to-manage/
Short term CC dividend capture strategy….trying something different….not sure if it will be sustainable over time
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/03/11/wmb-covered-call-dividend-capture-assigned-day-before-ex-div-return-on-capital-2-6-in-2-days-or-476-annualized-but-no-dividend/
Doing my best to pare, protect and figure out how to protect the capital and make money in a down market…..
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/trying-to-protect-versus-making-more/
Update on Put Strategies
Gaining experience with IC, BuPS and DiagBuPS……learning on the fly…..so far so good….
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/21/update-on-put-strategies/
Update on AMZN Covered Call Strategy after 277 Days
AMZN stock price over the past 25 days is net down….allowing the short options to do what they are supposed to do in a covered call strategy. Three more months to get the stock gain to long term.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/21/update-on-amzn-covered-call-strategy-after-277-days-92620-roi-81-or-107-annualized/
New CC in RTX – looking to capture dividend next Friday
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/19/new-cc-in-rtx-raytheon/
IC on ABT and DXCM….paying to learn???
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/iron-condor-ic-on-abt-dxcm/
Covered Call on NIO – Update and Progress – Interesting ride!
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/covered-call-on-nio-unrealized-profit-of-56870/
Closed Covered Call position on DXCM prior to earnings announcement after hours. Profit of $4,252.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/closed-out-dxcm-cc-profit-of-4252/
Closed BuPS on PINS
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/09/closing-bups-on-pins-profit-1051-in-27-days-return-on-capital-of-21-or-284-annualized/
Iron Condor on CHWY
This is only the second or third Iron Condor I have traded…..based on Tastytrade recommendation.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/09/chwy-iron-condor-mar-19-75-95-125-145-net-credit-5-29/
Closed CC on CFG, Picked up Dividend
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/08/closed-cc-on-cfg-profit-of-1-7-in-13-days-47-8-annualized/
BuPS on PTON….looking or a bounce
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/05/new-bull-put-spread-on-pton/
New CC on IBM – goes ex div Feb 9
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/04/new-covered-call-on-ibm/
Adding Diag BuPS to CC Position on ATEC
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/04/new-diagonal-bull-put-spread-on-atec/
New CC on DHI
I got tired of chasing BYND stock in a covered call strategy….too much daily movement….something a bit more conservative….
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/02/02/new-covered-call-on-dhi-home-builder/
New CC on KBH
First time taking a position with home builders. Good dividend coming up on Feb 3. Plan is to hold and roll for a few months.
Graphs on Individual Positions Over Time in IB Account
Tables/Graphs representing each of the positions over time. Good representation of where the profits are being generated.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/01/23/individual-positions-in-ib-account-and-return-over-time/
Good week in market = good week in IB Account
Positions and Friday trades at bottom of post.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/01/23/ib-account-wk-ending-1-22-21-new-high-of-381160-16564-in-the-week-4-5/
Summary of NIO CC through 115 Days
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/covered-call-on-nio-generating-unrealized-gain-of-23447-in-115-days-129-or-410-annualized/
Summary of ATEC CC + Naked Put
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/atec-position-covered-call-naked-put-generating-positive-results-unrealized-gain-of-1687-in-28-days-roi-28-9-or-377-annualized/
Good start to 2021…..at least for one week!
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/ib-account-week-ending-1-8-21-17979-or-4-19-return/
Thanks for the ideas and comments in 2020……great site, great sharing. Best option trading site on the web!
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2021/01/03/ib-account-up-32611-or-9-9-in-december-2020-finished-up-163989-or-83-7/
Dec 31 $3250 Call Vertical Roll to $3310, $60 increase in strike price, Debit $33.48 Stock at $3312
Opening Transaction PTON BuPS Credit $1.32, Stock at $58.20
Assigned on EW Covered Call
Not sure it was the right time to let the shares go…..but had to manage margin creep up do to “roll ups” on Friday.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/12/28/assigned-on-ew-covered-call-profit-of-3498-in-63-days-roi-of-8-8-or-51-annualized/
Not sure this week will be as profitable as the last couple!
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/12/21/ib-account-week-ending-12-18-20-new-high-new-position-on-bmy/
Update on BCRX CC and adjustment post drug approval
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/12/07/good-week-for-bcrx-position-after-122-days-unrealized-profit-of-29300-roi-of-76-3-or-125-annualized/
Update on NIO Covered Call Strategy
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/update-on-nio-covered-call-strategy-after-77-days-unrealized-profit-of-15175-roi-of-83-5-or-396-annualized/
Update on STE Covered Call Strategy after 180 Days
#coveredcalls $STE
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/covered-call-strategy-on-ste-after-180-days-unrealized-profit-of-10045-32-6-roi-or-66-annualized/
IB Nov Update and Positions
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/11/30/good-nov-in-ib-account-but-not-back-to-high/
Smasty – looking for input/comment
I established a CC + Put Protection (*.98) strategy for SDC. SDC has moved up from $9.72 to $12.10. I rolled the short calls from $9.50 to $11 to $12. The Put was at $8.50 and it is now worth $0. Would you usually roll the Put up when the stock runs up as the appreciation is no longer protected or just let the stock get called (assuming it stays above $12) away and do a reset.
Naked Puts to Covered Call on SDC
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/new-approach-to-entering-a-cc-position-selling-naked-put-getting-assigned-then-selling-calls/
Thanks Option Iceman.
ABT Covered Call Strategy Progressing Well
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/11/16/covered-call-strategy-on-abt-progressing-well-profit-of-22682-in-174-days-or-83-174-annualized-31-rolls-of-the-short-calls/
REGN BuCS – 9 Rolls and still a challenge
We have been tracking our REGN BuCS since it was established on Oct 12. It remains a challenge…..
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/11/16/regn-bull-call-spread-a-challenge-so-far/
Wild ride over past 30 days…..definitely need to learn more about handling volatility around earnings
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/11/12/ib-account-down-from-high-up-from-dip-over-past-30-days/
Last Week and Oct/YTD Results – Tough week/month
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/11/02/tough-week-and-oct-month-end/
DXCM drops $90 after good earnings announcement…..
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/29/dxcm-hard-to-understand-a-90-drop-and-how-we-responded/
Trade and Account activity Wk ending 10/23 – lots of diagonal down rolls….
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/24/summary-of-account-activity-wk-ending-10-23-risk-and-margin-reduction-via-diagonal-roll-downs/
ABT
STO ABT Oct 30 $111 Call Credit $1.31 to reestablish covered call yesterday
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/23/follow-up-to-abt-post-on-10-21-about-buying-back-oct-23-107-calls/
Adjusting ABT Covered Call following earnings announcement…..logic and action taken
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/22/adjusting-abt-covered-call-in-reaction-to-announcement-of-good-quarterly-earnings-and-raised-guidance-and-stock-drops-2/
ABT BTC Oct 23 $107 Calls…..Abbott earnings good…raised full year guidance and stock dropped $2….so I bought the calls back for $.85 ….looking for a bounce and will cover shares again. STO on 10/15 for $2.87.
Schwab Account Week Ending 10/16 – Trades and Positions
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/18/schwab-account-wk-ending-10-16-trades-and-positions-24245-or-1-in-the-week/
Covered Calls – IB Positions and Trades 10/16
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/18/ib-account-wk-ending-10-16-trades-and-positions-13917-or-4-2-in-the-week/
IB Account Covered Call Positions and status
Sharing current covered call positions in IB account along with graphs showing the progression of the return on each position. Left money on the table as stock prices have run past our strike prices on almost every position.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/14/ib-account-holdings-and-update-23742-or-7-5-in-last-30-days/
New Covered Call on ATEC
We like to find young medical device companies with innovative technology that we can write covered calls against. ATEC looks promising. Great revenue growth and really nice margins.
Options are monthly….not ideal but they don’t take much work.
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/new-covered-call-on-atec/
Is SDC a good candidate for covered call strategy?
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/is-smile-direct-club-sdc-a-good-candidate-for-covered-calls/
Update on Covered Called Strategy on Steris (STE)
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/follow-up-on-ste-covered-call-strategy-stock-price-run-up/
Wild ride….every day! Volatility = great premiums!
https://coveredcallswithjeff.wordpress.com/2020/10/08/crazy-market-somehow-generating-great-roi/
Beat up a little with DXCM CC Strategy as stock has dropped from $430 to $384
Short options have helped but hard to offset $50 drop in stock price.
