Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Established Covered Calls in Pan American Silver Corporation

A net debit buy/write limit order was entered yesterday in Pan American Silver Corporation (ticker PAAS) to buy 300 shares and simultaneously sell 3 Call options at the May 22nd, 2026 options expiration date and at the $60.00 strike price. The net debit limit price for my order was $58.80 and this order was executed when 300 shares were purchased at $62.50 and 3 May 22nd, 2026 Call options were sold for $3.70 per share.  Therefore, a maximum potential time value profit from the Calls of $.1.20 per share = [$3.70 options premium - ($62.50 stock price - $60.00 strike price)] is available for this position.  

This position uses the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture Strategy since Pan Am Silver has an upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.18 per share on May 19th which is prior to the May 22nd options expiration date.  This is equivalent to an absolute annual dividend yield of 1.2% and an equivalent annualized dividend yield of 10.5% = [($.18/$62.50) x (365/10 days to expiration)].  This dividend is included in the detailed return-on-investment calculations below.  Either an early assignment on May 18th (the last trading day prior to the ex-dividend date) or on the May 22nd options expiration date would be desirable given the potential annualized return on investments for either outcome.  Importantly to the Covered Calls Advisor, there is no quarterly earnings report prior to the options expiration date since the next earnings report on August 5th, 2026 is more than two months after the May 22nd options expiration date.  

Pan American Silver Corporation is a large precious metals mining company that generates revenue by exploring for, developing, and operating silver and gold mines across the Americas, while also producing zinc, lead, and copper as by-products. Its business model is built around owning long-life mineral reserves and efficiently extracting and selling metals into global commodity markets, giving investors leveraged exposure to precious metal prices and rising industrial demand for silver. Pan American’s primary competitive advantages include one of the world’s largest silver reserve bases, a diversified portfolio of producing mines, operational scale, and deep technical expertise in mine development and processing, although profitability remains sensitive to commodity prices and geopolitical conditions in Latin America.

Pan American Silver passed all 18 criteria in my "Key Metrics for Comparing Companies" stock screener, which places it in the top 2% of the major U.S. companies considered in this stock screener.  The average target price of the 18 analysts following Pan American Silver is $72.46 which is +15.9% above today's stock purchase price.  The stock screener criteria and the actual numbers for PAAS are shown in the filter breakdown in the table below:

As detailed below, two potential return-on-investment results are: 

  •  +2.0% absolute return (equivalent to +105.8% annualized return-on-investment for the next 7 days) if the stock is assigned early (on the last business day prior to the May 19th ex-dividend date); or  
  • +2.3% absolute return (equivalent to +85.2% annualized return-on-investment over the next 10 days) if the stock is assigned on the May 22nd, 2026 options expiration date.

Pan American Silver Corporation (PAAS) -- New Covered Calls Position

The buy/write transaction was:
5/12/2026 Bought 300 Pan American Silver shares @ $62.50
5/12/2026 Sold 3 PAAS 5/22/2026 $60.00 Call options @ $3.70 per share.
Note: Implied Volatility (IV) of the Call options was at 54.0 when this position was transacted which, as preferred, is above the current VIX of 18.3.  The probability that these Call options will expire in-the-money on the options expiration date was 64.2% when this position was established.   
5/19/2026 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.18 per share.

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) for this Pan American Silver Covered Calls position are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $17,642.01
= ($62.50 - $3.70) * 300 shares + $2.01 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$1,107.99
= ($3.70 * 300 shares) - $2.01 commission
(b) Dividend Income (If PAAS Call options exercised early on May 18th, 2026, the last business day prior to the May 19th ex-div date): +$0.00; or
(b) Dividend Income (If Pan American Silver stock assigned at the May 22nd, 2026 options expiration): +$54.00
= ($.18 dividend per share x 300 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (If PAAS Call options assigned early on May 19th, 2026): -$750.00
+($60.00 strike price - $62.50 stock purchase price) * 400 shares; or
(c) Capital Appreciation (If shares assigned at $60.00 strike price at the 5/19/2026 options expiration): -$750.00
+($60.00 - $62.50) * 300 shares

1. Total Net Profit [If option exercised early (business day prior to the May 19th ex-dividend date)]: +$357.99
= (+$1,107.99 options income + $0.00 dividend income - $750.00 capital appreciation); or
2. Total Net Profit (If Pan American's shares assigned at $60.00 at the May 22nd, 2026 expiration): +$411.99
= (+$1,107.99 options income + $54.00 dividend income - $750.00 capital appreciation)

1. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment [If option exercised on business day prior to the 5/19/2026 ex-dividend date]: +2.0%
= +$357.99/$17,642.01
Potential Annualized Return (If option exercised early): +105.8%
= (+$357.99/$17,642.01) * (365/7 days); or
2. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Pan American's shares assigned on the May 22nd options expiration date): +2.3%
= +$411.99/$17,642.01
Potential Annualized Return (If PAAS' shares assigned at $60.00 at the 5/22/2026 options expiration date): +85.2%
= (+$411.99/$17,642.01) * (365/10 days)

Either outcome provides a very attractive return-on-investment result for this Pan American Silver Corporation investment.  These returns will be achieved as long as the stock is above the $60.00 strike price at assignment.  However, if the stock declines below the strike price, the breakeven price of $58.62 ($62.50 - $3.70 - $.18) provides 6.2% downside protection below today's stock purchase price.

At least eight of the nine metrics used in the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture Strategy spreadsheet (see below) must be 'YES' prior to establishing a new Covered Calls position using the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture strategy.  As shown below, all nine criteria are achieved for this Pan American Silver Corporation Covered Calls position.



Monday, May 11, 2026

Covered Call Established in Amgen Inc.

Today, a net debit buy/write limit order was entered in Amgen Inc. (ticker AMGN) to buy 100 shares and simultaneously sell 1 Call option at the May 22nd, 2026 weekly options expiration date and at the $322.50 strike price. The net debit limit price for my order was $320.40 and this order was executed when 100 shares were purchased at $328.90 and 1 May 22nd, 2026 Call option was sold for $8.50 per share.  Therefore, a maximum potential time value profit from the Call was $2.10 per share = [$8.50 option premium - ($328.90 stock price - $322.50 strike price)] is available for this position.  

This position uses the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture Strategy since Amgen has an upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $2.52 per share on May 15th which is prior to the May 22nd options expiration date.  This is equivalent to an annual dividend yield of 3.1% and an equivalent annualized dividend yield of a very high 25.4% = [($2.52/$328.90) x (365/11 days to expiration)].  This dividend is included in the return-on-investment calculations detailed below.  Either an early assignment on May 14th (the last trading day prior to the ex-dividend date) or on the May 22nd options expiration date would be desirable given the potential annualized return on investment for either outcome.  Importantly to the Covered Calls Advisor, there is no quarterly earnings report prior to the options expiration date since the next earnings report on August 4th, 2026 is more than two months after the May 22nd options expiration date.  

Amgen is one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies, generating revenue by discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing biologic medicines for serious diseases in areas such as oncology, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and rare disorders. Its business model combines a portfolio of established blockbuster drugs with a deep pipeline of new therapies and biosimilars, creating recurring cash flow that funds ongoing research, acquisitions, and shareholder returns while supporting long-term growth. Amgen’s key competitive advantages include decades of biologics manufacturing expertise, large-scale global production infrastructure, a strong intellectual property portfolio, and extensive clinical, regulatory, and commercial capabilities that create high barriers to entry and help efficiently scale therapies worldwide.

As detailed below, two potential return-on-investment results are: 
  •  +0.7% absolute return (equivalent to +59.6% annualized return-on-investment for the next 4 days) if the stock is assigned early (on the last business day prior to this Friday's May 15th ex-dividend date); or  
  • +1.4% absolute return (equivalent to +47.6% annualized return-on-investment over the next 11 days) if the stock is assigned on the May 22nd, 2026 options expiration date.

Amgen Inc. (AMGN) -- New Covered Call Position

As shown on the table at the bottom of this post, eight of the nine criteria of my Dividend Capture Strategy are met with this position.  The probability that this Call option will expire in-the-money on the options expiration date was 70.8% when this position was established.   

The buy/write transaction was:
5/11/2026 Bought 100 Amgen Inc. shares @ $328.90
5/11/2026 Sold 1 AMGN 5/22/2026 $322.50 Call option @ $8.50 per share.
Note: Implied Volatility (IV) of the Call option was 20.2 when this position was transacted which, as preferred, is above the current VIX of 18.4.   
5/15/2026 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $2.52 per share.

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) for this Amgen Covered Call position are as follows:
Covered Call Net Investment: $32,040.67
= ($328.90 - $8.50) * 100 shares + $.67 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Option Income: +$849.33
= ($8.50 * 100 shares) - $.67 commission
(b) Dividend Income (If Amgen Call option exercised early on May 14th, 2026, the last business day prior to the May 15th ex-div date): +$0.00; or
(b) Dividend Income (If Amgen stock assigned at the May 22nd, 2026 options expiration): +$252.00
= ($2.52 dividend per share x 100 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (If Amgen Call option assigned early on May 15th, 2026): -$640.00
= ($322.50 strike price - $328.90 stock purchase price) * 100 shares; or
(c) Capital Appreciation (If shares assigned at $322.50 strike price at the 5/22/2026 options expiration): -$640.00
= ($322.50 - $328.90) * 100 shares

1. Total Net Profit [If option exercised early (business day prior to the May 15th ex-dividend date)]: +$209.33
= (+$849.33 option income + $0.00 dividend income - $640.00 capital appreciation); or
2. Total Net Profit (If Amgen's shares assigned at $322.50 at the May 22nd, 2026 expiration): +$459.33
= (+$849.33 option income + $252.00 dividend income - $640.00 capital appreciation)

1. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment [If option exercised on business day prior to the 5/15/2026 ex-dividend date]: +0.7%
= +$209.33/$32,040.67
Potential Annualized Return (If option exercised early): +59.6%
= (+$209.33/$32,040.67) * (365/4 days); or
2. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Amgen's shares assigned on the May 22nd options expiration date): +1.4%
= +$459.33/$32,040.67
Potential Annualized Return (If Amgen's shares assigned at the $322.50 strike price on the 5/22/2026 options expiration date): +47.6%
= (+$459.33/$32,040.67) * (365/11 days)

Either outcome would provide a very attractive return-on-investment result for this Amgen investment.  These returns will be achieved as long as the stock is above the $322.50 strike price at assignment.  However, if the stock declines below the strike price, the breakeven price of $317.88 ($328.90 - $8.50 - $2.52) provides 3.4% downside protection below today's stock purchase price.

At least eight of the nine metrics used in the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture Strategy spreadsheet (see below) must be 'YES' prior to establishing a new Covered Call position using the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture strategy.  As shown below, eight criteria are achieved for this Amgen Inc. Covered Call position.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

May 8th, 2026 Options Expiration Results

The Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio had three Covered Calls positions with May 8th, 2026 options expirations and all three positions (Barrick Mining Corporation, Citigroup Inc., and NVIDIA Corporation) closed with their stock prices in-the-money.  So, their Calls expired with no remaining time value and the Covered Calls were closed out by the stocks being sold at their respective strike prices on their May 8th options expiration date. The return-on-investment details (in alphabetical order) for each position is as follows:

1. Barrick Mining Corporation (B) -- +2.0% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +82.0% annualized return-on-investment) for the 9 days of this investment.  This Barrick Mining Covered Call position had a $37.00 strike price and it closed at $43.13 yesterday.  The original blog post showing the details of this position is here

2. Citigroup Inc. (C-- +1.8% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +64.3% annualized return-on-investment) for the 10 days of this investment.  This Citigroup Covered Calls position had a $125.00 strike price and it closed at $125.56 yesterday.  The original blog post showing the details of this position is here

3. Nvidia Corporation (NVDA-- +1.3% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +61.0% annualized return-on-investment) for the 8 days of this investment.  This NVIDIA Covered Calls position had a $195.00 strike price and it closed at $215.217 yesterday.  The original blog post showing the details of this position is here.

I look forward to receiving your emails with your questions/comments at the email address shown below on any topics related to the Covered Calls investing strategy. 

Jeff Partlow
The Covered Calls Advisor
partlow@cox.net

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Covered Call Position Established in Insulet Corporation

Today a short-term Covered Call position in Insulet Corporation (PODD) was established when one hundred shares were purchased at $153.06 and one May 15th, 2026 Call option was sold at $10.30 per share at the $145.00 strike price.  The buy/write net debit limit order at $142.76 was executed, so the time value was $2.24 per share [$10.30 Call option premium - ($153.06 stock purchase price - $145.00 strike price)].  Insulet's first quarter earnings were reported after market close yesterday, so there is no earnings report prior to the May 15th options expiration date.  I consider today's very negative stock price decline of over 8% after a beat-and-raise quarter (that also included an increase to their 2026 guidance) to be an unjustified overreaction. But given my current cautious market outlook, an in-the-money Covered Calls position was established with a 73.4% probability of assignment on the options expiration date when this buy/write limit order was executed. 

Insulet Corporation makes, sells, and develops its proprietary Omnipod System, an automated insulin pump for insulin-dependent diabetics in the U.S. and Internationally.  Their business operates on a razor-and-blade model centered on its Omnipod system, pairing its low-cost controller (the razor hardware) with its disposable (replaced every 3 days) insulin pods (the consumable blades) that generate recurring, high-margin revenue and strong cash flow visibility. Financially, the company has delivered a decade of consistent high growth, with revenue expanding from under $1B in 2020 to ~$2.7B in 2025 (roughly a 25–30% annual growth rate in recent years), including its 10th consecutive year of 20%+ growth and accelerating ~30% growth in 2025. Profitability has scaled alongside revenue, with gross margins around ~70%+ and operating leverage improving as volumes increase, though near-term earnings can fluctuate due to reinvestment in sales and R&D. Looking forward, management continues to guide to ~20%+ revenue growth with even faster EPS expansion, driven by international expansion, penetration of the large Type 2 diabetes market, and deeper integration with leading automated insulin delivery ecosystems such as Dexcom's G7 and Abbott's FreeStyle Libre. Overall, Insulet offers investors a rare combination of durable recurring revenue, strong historical execution, and a long runway for growth in an underpenetrated global market.

Insulet is highly rated by analysts.  The average target price of the 25 analysts currently covering the company is +120.5% above today's stock purchase price.  In addtion, Morningstar has a 5-star strong buy rating and CFRA a 4-star buy rating.

As detailed below, a potential return-on-investment result is +1.6% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +63.4% annualized return-on-investment over the next 9 days) if the stock is assigned on the May 15th, 2026 options expiration date.

Insulet Corporation (PODD) -- New Covered Call Position
The simultaneous buy/write transaction today was as follows:
5/6/2026 Bought 100 Insulet Corp. shares @ $153.06
5/6/2026 Sold 1 PODD 5/15/2026 $145.00 Call option @ $10.30 per share
Note: the Implied Volatility of the Call was 54.0 when this transaction was executed.  As I prefer, this value exceeds that of the S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX) which is currently at 17.2.

A possible overall performance result (including commission) for this Insulet Covered Call position if assigned on the options expiration date is as follows:
Covered Call Cost Basis: $14,276.67
= ($153.06 - $10.30) * 100 shares + $.67 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Option Income: +$1,029.33
= ($10.30 * 100 shares) - $.67 commission
(b) Dividend Income $0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (If Insulet shares assigned at the $145.00 strike price on the options expiration date): -$806.00
+($145.00 strike price - $153.06 stock purchase price) * 100 shares

Total Net Profit (If Insulet shares assigned at the $145.00 strike price at the 5/15/2026 expiration date): +$223.33
= (+$1,029.33 option income + $0.00 - $806.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment (If PODD shares assigned at the $145.00 strike price on the May 15th, 2026 options expiration date): +1.6%
= +$223.33/$14,276.67
Annualized Return-on-Investment (If Insulet stock assigned at the $145.00 strike at the 5/15/2026 options expiration date): +63.4%
= (+$223.33/$14,276.67) * (365/9 days)