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Saturday, August 31, 2024

August 31st, 2024 Weekly Options Expiration Results

The Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio had two Covered Calls positions with August 31st, 2024 weekly options expirations.  Both positions closed on their options expiration date yesterday with their stock prices in-the-money, so the Calls expired with no remaining value and the Covered Calls were closed out with the stocks sold at their respective strike prices.  The original position and associated return-on-investment details for each position is as follows:

1. iShares KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) -- +1.1% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +41.0% annualized return-on-investment) for the 10 days of this investment.  This KWEB position had a $25.50 strike price and it closed at $25.69 yesterday.  The blog post showing the details of this position is here

2. Skyworks Solutions Inc. (SWKS) -- +1.3% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +44.8% annualized return-on-investment) for the 11 days of this investment.  This Skyworks position had a $104.00 strike price and it closed at $109.59 yesterday.  The original position details are here.

As always, I welcome your questions 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, August 28, 2024

Covered Calls Position Established in Global Payments Inc.

Today a Covered Calls position was established in Global Payments Inc. (ticker GPN) at the September 20th, 2024 options expiration date and at the $105.00 strike price.  Three hundred shares were purchased at $109.22 per share and three September 20th, 2024 $105.00 Calls were sold at $5.58 per share. The corresponding potential time value profit was $1.36 per share [$5.58 Call options premium + ($105.00 strike price - $109.22 stock purchase price)]. 

In addition to the potential time value profit of $1.36 per share, there is an upcoming quarterly ex-dividend prior to the Sept. 20th options expiration date of $.25 per share (0.9% annual dividend yield) on September 13th.  The Implied Volatility of these Call options was 24.8 when this position was established.  Establishing positions in companies when the Implied Volatility of their options is greater than that of the S&P 500 Volatility Index (which is currently at 16.6), is strongly preferred by the Covered Calls Advisor.  This preference is the fifth of the twelve Covered Calls investing "edges" (see here).  Since quarterly earnings reports increase volatility, it is also important to me that there is no earnings report prior to the next earnings report, which is true in this instance since Global Payments' next report is scheduled for October 31st, 2024.  

Global Payments is an information technology company (in the Financial Sector).  They provide payment technology and software solutions for card, electronic, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific and they operate through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Business and Consumer Solutions.

As shown in my GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) stock screener results below, Global Payments meets all nineteen filters. 


Global Payments Inc. (GPN) -- New Covered Calls Position
 
The buy/write transaction was as follows:
8/28/2024 Bought 300 Global Payments Inc. shares at $109.22.
8/28/2024 Sold 3 GPN Sept 20th, 2024 $105.00 Call options @ $5.58 per share.
9/13/2024 Upcoming ex-dividend of $.25 per share.

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) would be as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $31,094.01
= ($109.22 - $5.58) * 300 shares + $2.01 commission

Net Profit:
(a) Options Income: +$1,671.99
= ($5.58 * 300 shares) - $2.01 commission
(b) Dividend Income (If GPN stock price is assigned early on the day before the 9/13/2024 ex-dividend date): +$0.00; OR
(b) Dividend Income (If Global Payments stock is above the $105.00 strike price at the September 20th, 2024 options expiration date): +$75.00
= $.25 dividend x 300 shares
(c) Capital Appreciation (If GPN stock price is assigned early on the day before the 9/13/2024 ex-dividend date): -$1,266.00
= ($105.00 strike price - $109.22 stock purchase price) * 300 shares; OR 
(c) Capital Appreciation (If Global Payments stock is above the $105.00 strike price at the September 20th, 2024 options expiration date): -$1,266.00
= ($105.00 strike price - $109.22 stock purchase price) * 300 shares

1. Total Net Profit (If GPN stock price is assigned early on the day before the 9/13/2024 ex-dividend date): +$405.99
= (+$1,671.99 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$1,266.00 capital appreciation); OR
2. Total Net Profit [If Global Payments stock price is in-of-the-money (i.e. above $105.00 strike price) at options expiration]: +$480.99
= (+$1,671.99 options income +$75.00 dividend income -$1,266.00 capital appreciation)

1. Absolute Return-on-Investment: (If early assignment): +1.3%
= +$405.99/$31,094.01
Annualized Return-on-Investment: +29.8%
= (+$405.99/$31,094.01) * (365/16 days); OR 
2. Absolute Return-on-Investment: (If stock is above $105.00 strike price at the options expiration date) : +1.5%
= +$480.99/$31,094.01
Annualized Return-on-Investment: +24.5%
= (+$480.99/$31,094.01) * (365/23 days)


Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Established Covered Calls in Merck & Co. Inc.

Today, a Covered Calls position was established in Merck & Co. Inc. (ticker MRK) with the purchase of 300 shares at $115.64 per share and three September 20th, 2024 Call options were sold for $3.24 per share at the $114.00 strike price.  A moderately in-the-money Covered Calls positions was established with the probability that the Calls will expire in-the-money on the 9/20/2024 options expiration date was 62.8%.  Merck goes ex-dividend at $.77 per share (2.7% dividend yield at the current stock price) on September 16th which is prior to the September 20th options expiration date -- so this dividend is included in the potential return-on-investment results shown below.  As I prefer, the next quarterly earnings report on October 31st is after the September 20th options expiration date.

As shown in my Quality+Growth stock screener results below, Merck meets all twenty filters including scores in the 90s for both the Quality Score and the Growth Score filters.  It also met all filters in 3 of my other stock screeners: Analysts Picks, StockRover Overall, and Dividend Growth.
Two potential return-on-investment results are: (a) +1.4% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +26.0% annualized return-on-investment for the next 20 days) if the stock is assigned early on Sept. 13th (the last trading day prior to the September 16th, 2024 ex-dividend date); OR (b) +2.1% absolute return (equivalent to +32.1% annualized return over the next 24 days) if the stock is assigned on the September 20th options expiration date. 


Merck & Co. Inc.
(MRK) -- New Covered Calls Position

The simultaneous buy/write transaction was as follows:
8/27/2024 Bought 300 shares of Merck & Co. stock @ $115.64 per share.  
8/27/2024 Sold 3 MRK September 20th, 2024 $114.00 Call options @ $3.24 per share.
9/16/2024 Upcoming ex-dividend of $.77 per share

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) would be as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $33,722.01
= ($115.64 - $3.24) * 300 shares + $2.01 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$972.00
= ($3.24 * 300 shares)
(b) Dividend Income (If Merck shares assigned on 9/13/2024, the business day prior to the 9/16/2024 ex-dividend date): = +$0.00; or
(b) Dividend Income (If Merck shares assigned at 9/20/2024 options expiration): +$231.00
= $.77 per share x 300 shares
(c) Capital Appreciation (If MRK shares assigned early on 9/16/2024): -$492.00
= ($114.00 strike price -$115.64 stock purchase price) * 300 shares; or
(c) Capital Appreciation (If MRK shares assigned with stock above the $114.00 strike price at the Sept. 20th options expiration date): -$492.00
= ($114.00 -$115.64) * 300 shares

1. Potential Net Profit (If Merck shares assigned on the Sept. 16th ex-dividend date): +$480.00
= (+$972.00 options income +$0.00 dividend income - $492.00 capital appreciation)
2. Potential Net Profit (If MRK price is above $114.00 strike price at the Sept. 20th options expiration): +$711.00
= (+$972.00 options income +$231.00 dividend income - $492.00 capital appreciation)

1. Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Merck shares assigned early on the Sept 16th, 2024 ex-dividend date): +1.4%
= +$480.00/$33,722.01
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment (If assigned early): +26.0%
= (+$480.00/$33,722.01) * (365/20 days)

2. Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Merck price is above the $114.00 strike price at the Sept. 20th options expiration): +2.1%
= +$711.00/$33,722.01
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment (If assigned on the 9/20/2024 options expiration date): +32.1%
= (+$306.00/$24,049.34) * (365/15 days)


Thursday, August 22, 2024

Covered Calls Position Established in Taiwan Semiconductor ADR

This afternoon near the market close, my net debit limit order was executed and a Covered Calls position was established in Taiwan Semiconductor ADR (ticker TSM) when the Covered Calls Advisor's buy/write limit order for the September 20th, 2024 $160.00s executed at a net debit price of $155.07. Two hundred Taiwan Semi shares were purchased at $166.72 and 2 Sept 20th, 2024 $160.00 Calls were sold at $11.65 per share. So, the corresponding time value (aka extrinsic value) was $4.93 per share = [$11.65 Call options premium - ($166.72 stock purchase price - $160.00 strike price)]. Given the Covered Calls Advisor's current Neutral Overall Market Meter outlook, a slightly in-the-money Covered Calls position was established--the probability that the position will close in-the-money and therefore by assigned on the 9/20/2024 options expiration date was 62.8% when this position was established. In addition, the Implied Volatility of the Calls was 39.5 which, as desired, was above the VIX which is now 17.5. 

Taiwan Semi goes ex-dividend at $.6158 (a 1.5% annualized dividend yield) at today's stock purchase price. This dividend is included in the potential return-on-investment results shown below. Also, as preferred, there is no earnings report prior to the options expiration date and analysts' current stock target price is $204.66 per share (+22.8% above today's purchase price).
 
As shown in my Quality+Growth stock screener results below, TSM meets all twenty filters including scores in the 90s for both the Quality Score and the Growth Score.  

As detailed below, two potential return-on-investment results for this Taiwan Semi Covered Calls position are: (a) +3.2% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +55.2% annualized return-on-investment for the next 21 days) if the stock is assigned early [i.e. on September 11th which is the last trading day prior to the September 12th ex-dividend date]; OR (b) +3.6% absolute return (equivalent to +45.0% annualized return over the next 29 days) if the stock is assigned on the September 20th, 2024 options expiration date.

Taiwan Semiconductor ADR (TSM) -- New Covered Calls Position
The simultaneous buy/write transactions was as follows:
8/22/2024 Bought 200 shares of Taiwan Semiconductor stock @ $166.72 per share 
8/22/2024 Sold 2 Taiwan Semi September 20th, 2024 $160.00 Call options @ $11.65 per share
9/12/2024 Upcoming ex-dividend at $.6158 per share

Two potential overall performance results (including commissions) would be as follows:
Covered Calls Cost Basis: $31,015.34
= ($166.72 - $11.65) * 200 shares + $1.34 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$2,328.66
= ($11.65 * 200 shares) - $1.34 commission
(b) Dividend Income (If Taiwan Semi stock assigned on the day prior to the Sept. 12th ex-dividend date): $0.00
(b) Dividend Income (If TSM stock assigned on the Sept.20th options expiration date): +$123.16
= $.6158 dividend per share x 200 shares
(c) Capital Appreciation (If Taiwan Semi stock assigned on the Sept. 12th ex-dividend date): -$1,344.00
= ($160.00 strike price - $166.72 stock purchase price) * 200 shares
(c) Capital Appreciation (If TSM stock is above the $160.00 strike price and therefore assigned at the Sept. 20th expiration date): -$1,344.00
= ($160.00 - $166.72) * 200 shares


1. Potential Net Profit (If TSM shares assigned on 9/11/2024, the day prior to the Sept. 12th ex-dividend date): +$984.66
= (+$2,328.66 options income +$0.00 dividend income - $1,344.00 capital appreciation)
2. Potential Net Profit (If stock price is above $160.00 strike price at the 9/20/2024 options expiration): +$1,107.82
= (+$2,328.66 options income +$123.16 dividend income - $1,344.00 capital appreciation)

1. Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Taiwan Semi shares assigned early): +3.2%
= +$984.66/$31,015.34
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment (If assigned early): +55.2%
= (+$984.66/$31,015.34) * (365/21 days)

2. Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Taiwan Semi price is above the $160.00 strike price and therefore assigned at the 9/20/2024 options expiration): +3.6%
= +$1,107.82/$31,015.34
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment (If assigned on the 9/20/2024 options expiration date): +45.0%
= (+$1,107.82/$31,015.34) * (365/29 days)


Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Established Covered Calls Position in KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF

A short-term Covered Calls position was established yesterday afternoon in KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (ticker KWEB).  Nine hundred shares were purchased at $26.14 and nine August 30th, 2024 weekly Call options were sold at the $25.50 strike price at $.93 per share--a buy/write net debit transaction of $25.21 per share which provides a maximum $.29 per share time value profit potential.  The probability of the Calls being in-the-money on the options expiration date was 67.9% when this transaction occurred. 

As detailed below, a potential result is +1.1% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +41.0% annualized return-on-investment for the next 10 days) if the KWEB share price is in-the-money (i.e. above the $25.50 strike price) and therefore assigned on its August 30th, 2024 options expiration date.

 
KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) -- New Covered Calls Position 

The Buy/Write transaction was as follows:
8/20/2024 Bought 900 shares of CSI China Internet ETF @ $26.14 per share.  
8/20/2024 Sold 9 KWEB August 30th, 2024 $25.50 Call options @ $.93 per share.  The Implied Volatility of the Calls was 29.4 when this position was established.  

A possible overall performance result (including commissions) for this CSI China Internet ETF Covered Calls position is as follows: 
KWEB Covered Calls Net Investment: $22,695.03
= ($26.14 - $.93) * 900 shares + $6.03 commission

Net Profit:
(a) Options Income: +$830.97
= ($.93 * 900 shares) - $6.03 commission
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (If 900 CSI China Internet ETF shares assigned at $25.50 strike price at expiration): -$576.00
+($25.50 strike price - $26.14 shares purchase price) * 900 shares

Total Net Profit Potential (If 900 CSI China Internet ETF shares are assigned because they are in-the-money at the options expiration date): +$254.97
= (+$830.97 options income + $0.00 dividend income - $576.00 capital appreciation)

Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment: +1.1%
= +$254.97/$22,695.03
Potential Annualized Return-on-Investment: +41.0%
= (+$254.97/$22,695.03) * (365/10 days)

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Covered Calls Position Established in Schlumberger Ltd.

This afternoon a Covered Calls position was established in Schlumberger Ltd. (ticker symbol is also SLB) when my September 13th, 2024 at the $43.00 strike price buy/write limit order was executed.  For Schlumberger (now named SLB), 800 shares were purchased at $44.37 and 8 Sept 13th, 2024 Call options were sold at $1.96 per share at the $43.00 strike price.  Given my current "Neutral" Overall Market Meter outlook, a moderately in-the-money Covered Calls positions were established.  The probability that the position will be in-the-money on the options expiration date was 68.9% when this position was established.  

SLB has an intervening ex-dividend date so the potential results detailed below includes the possibility of a position close out by early assignment if the stock moves significantly higher by the market close on September 3rd (the last business day prior to the ex-dividend date).

As shown in the Future 5-Year PEG Ratio stock screener results below, SLB meets all the filters of my stock screener including a very attractive 0.6 for the 5-Yr Forward PEG Ratio.  Also, the average Target Price of the 23 analysts that cover SLB is $65.64 (+47.9% above today's $44.37 stock purchase price). 

Two potential return-on-investment results are: 

  •  +1.4% absolute return (equivalent to +56.4% annualized return for the next 9 days) if the stock is assigned early (on the last business day prior to the September 4th, 2024 ex-dividend date); OR 
  • +2.0% absolute return (equivalent to +31.0% annualized return over the next 24 days) if the stock is assigned on the September 13th options expiration date.


Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) -- New Covered Calls Position
The buy/write transaction was:
8/20/2024 Bought 800 SLB shares @ $44.37
8/20/2024 Sold 8 SLB 9/13/2024 $43.00 Call options @ $1.96
Note: the Time Value (aka Extrinsic Value) in the Call options was $.59 per share = [$1.96 Call options premium - ($44.37 stock price - $43.00 strike price)]
9/04/2024 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.275 per share

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) for this SLB Covered Calls position are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $33,933.36
= ($44.37 - $1.96) * 800 shares + $5.36 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$1,568.00
= ($1.96 * 800 shares)
(b) Dividend Income (If option exercised early on Sept. 3rd, the business day prior to the Sept 4th ex-div date): +$0.00; or
(b) Dividend Income (If SLB stock assigned at the Sept. 13th, 2024 expiration): +$220.00
= ($.275 dividend per share x 800 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (If SLB Call options assigned early on Sept. 4th): -$1,096.00
+($43.00 strike price - $44.37 stock purchase price) * 800 shares; or
(c) Capital Appreciation (If SLB shares assigned at $43.00 strike price at the Sept. 13th options expiration date): -$1,096.00
+($43.00 - $44.37) * 800 shares

1. Total Net Profit [If option exercised early on Sept. 3rd, 2024]: +$472.00
= (+$1,568.00 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$1,096.00 capital appreciation); or
2. Total Net Profit (If SLB shares assigned at $43.00 strike price at the Sept. 13th, 2024 expiration): +$692.00
= (+$1,568.00 options income +$220.00 dividend income -$1,096.00 capital appreciation)

1. Absolute Return-on-Investment (early assignment): +1.4%
= +$472.00/$33,933.36
Annualized Return-on-Investment (If options assigned early): +56.4%
= (+$472.00/$33,933.36) * (365/9 days); or
2. Absolute Return-on-Investment (If SLB shares assigned at $43.00 at the 9/13/2024 options expiration date): +2.0%
= +$692.00/$33,933.36
Annualized Return-on-Investment (If SLB shares assigned at $43.00 at the Sept. 13th, 2024 options expiration date): +31.0%
= (+$692.00/$33,933.36) * (365/24 days)

Either outcome provides an attractive return-on-investment result for this Schlumberger investment.  These returns will be achieved as long as the stock is above the $43.00 strike price at assignment.  If the stock declines below the strike price, the breakeven price of $42.135 ($44.37 -$1.96 -$.275) provides 5.0% 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 explanation of my Dividend Capture Strategy here) must be 'YES' prior to establishing a position.  As shown below with this SLB position, all nine criteria were met.


Monday, August 19, 2024

Established Covered Calls Position in Skyworks Solutions Inc.

This afternoon a short-term Covered Calls position was established in Skyworks Solutions Inc. (ticker SWKS).  Two hundred shares were purchased at $106.86 and two Aug 30th, 2024 weekly Call options were sold at the $104.00 in-the-money strike price at $3.56 per share--a buy/write net debit transaction of $103.30 per share, so a $.70 per share time value profit potential.  In addition, tomorrow is a Skyworks ex-dividend date with a $.70 ex-dividend (2.6% annual dividend yield) which is included in the potential return-on-investment results detailed below. 

A potential return-on-investment result is +1.3% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +44.8% annualized return-on-investment for the next 11 days) if the Skyworks Solutions Inc. share price is in-the-money (i.e. above the $104.00 strike price) and therefore assigned on its August 30th, 2024 options expiration date.

 
Skyworks Solutions Inc. (SWKS) -- New Covered Calls Position 

The Buy/Write transaction was as follows:
8/19/2024 Bought 200 shares of Skyworks Solutions @ $106.86 per share.  
8/19/2024 Sold 2 SWKS August 30th, 2024 $104.00 Call options @ $3.56 per share.  The Implied Volatility of these Call options was 21.4 and the probability that the Calls will expire in-the-money on the options expiration date was 74.8% when this transaction was executed today. 
8/20/2024 Ex-dividend of $.70 per share.

A possible overall performance result (including commissions) for this Skyworks Solutions Inc. 
Covered Calls position is as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $20,661.34
= ($106.86 - $3.56) * 200 shares + $1.34 commission

Net Profit:
(a) Options Income: +$710.66
= ($3.56 * 200 shares) - $1.34 commission
(b) Dividend Income: +$140.00 = $.70 x 200 shares
(c) Capital Appreciation (If 200 Skyworks Solutions Inc. shares assigned at $104.00 strike price at expiration): -$572.00
+($104.00 - $106.86) * 200 shares

Total Net Profit Potential (If 200 Skyworks Solutions shares assigned at $104.00 strike price at expiration): +$278.66
= (+$710.66 options income +$140.00 dividend income -$572.00 capital appreciation)

Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment: +1.3%
= +$278.66/$20,661.34
Potential Annualized Return-on-Investment: +44.8%
= (+$278.66/$20,661.34) * (365/11 days)

Saturday, August 17, 2024

August 16th, 2024 Options Expiration Results

The Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio had two Covered Calls positions with August 16th, 2024 options expiration dates.  Both positions closed in-the-money so their Calls expired and the shares were called away (i.e. sold) at their respective strike prices.  Details of the transactions and the return-on-investment results for these positions are as follows:


1.  KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) -- Covered Calls Position Assigned on the Options Expiration Date 

The original Buy/Write transaction was as follows:
5/20/2024 Bought 1,000 shares of CSI China Internet ETF @ $31.90 per share.  
5/20/2024 Sold 10 KWEB June 21st, 2024 $30.00 Call options @ $2.44 per share.  The Implied Volatility of the Calls was 31.2 when this position was established.  
6/21/2024 Ten KWEB Calls expired out-of-the-money and the 1,000 KWEB shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
6/24/2024 Continued this Covered Calls position by selling-to-open 10 KWEB 7/19/2024 $30.00 Call options at $.33 when the KWEB price was $28.60 per share against the 1,000 KWEB shares owned.
7/19/2024 Ten KWEB Calls expired out-of-the-money and the 1,000 KWEB shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
7/22/2024 Continued this Covered Calls position by selling-to-open 10 KWEB 8/2/2024 $29.00 Call options at $.17 when the KWEB price was $27.70 per share against the 1,000 KWEB shares owned.
8/7/2024 Continued this Covered Calls position by selling-to-open 10 KWEB 8/16/2024 $26.50 Call options at $.38 against the 1,000 KWEB shares owned.
8/16/2024 Ten KWEB Calls closed in-the-money at $26.99 per share, so the Calls expired and the 1,000 KWEB shares were sold at the $26.50 strike price. 

The overall performance result (including commissions) for this CSI China Internet ETF Covered Calls position is as follows: 
KWEB Covered Calls Net Investment: $29,466.70
= ($31.90 - $2.44) * 1,000 shares + $6.70 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$3,293.20
= ($2.44 + $.33 + $.17 +$.38) * 1,000 shares - $26.80 commissions
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation: -$5,400
+($26.50 strike price - $31.90 shares purchase price) * 1,000 shares

Total Net Loss: - $2,106.80
= (+$3,293.20 options income + $0.00 dividend income - $5,400.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: -7.1%
= -$2,106.80/$29,466.70
Annualized Return-on-Investment: -29.7%
= (-$2,106.80/$29,466.70) * (365/88 days)


2. Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS) -- Covered Calls Position Assigned on the Options Expiration Date 
The buy/write transaction was:
8/1/2024 Bought 500 Las Vegas Sands shares @ $38.44
8/1/2024 Sold 5 LVS 8/16/2024 $37.00 Call options @ $1.77 per share.
Note: Implied Volatility (IV) of the Call options was at 24.9 when this position was transacted which, as preferred, is above the current VIX of 17.8.   
8/6/2024 Quarterly ex-dividend of $.20 per share.
8/16/2024 Five LVS Calls closed in-the-money at $40.37 per share, so the Calls expired and the 500 LVS shares were sold at the $37.00 strike price. 

The overall performance results (including commissions) for this Las Vegas Sands Corp. Covered Calls position are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $18,338.35
= ($38.44 - $1.77) * 500 shares + $3.35 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$881.65
= ($1.77 * 500 shares) - $3.35 commission
(b) Dividend Income: +$100.00
= ($.20 dividend per share x 500 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation: -$720.00
+($37.00 strike price - $38.44 stock purchase price) * 500 shares

Total Net Profit: +$261.65
= (+$881.65 options income + $100.00 dividend income - $720.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: +1.4%
= +$261.65/$18,338.35
Annualized Return-on-Investment: +34.7%
= (+$261.65/$18,338.35) * (365/15 days)

Friday, August 16, 2024

Established Covered Calls Position in Yum China Holdings Inc.

This afternoon my buy/write limit order was executed in Yum China Holdings Inc. (ticker YUMC) to buy 1,000 shares and simultaneously sell 10 Call options at the September 20th, 2024 monthly options expiration date and at the $32.50 strike price. The net debit limit price for my order was $31.60 which was executed when 1,000 shares were purchased at $33.35 and 10 September 20th, 2024 Call options were sold for $1.75 per share.  Therefore, a maximum potential time value profit of $.90 per share = [$1.75 options premium - ($33.35 stock price - $32.50 strike price)] is available for this position.  

This position uses the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture Strategy since Yum China has an upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.16 per share (a 1.9% annual dividend yield) on August 27th which is prior to the September 20th options expiration date.  This is equivalent to an annualized dividend yield of 5.0% = [($.16/$33.35) x (365/35 days to expiration)].  I am encouraged by the increase in their quarterly dividend from $.13 last year to $.16 now (a 23% increase). This dividend is included in the detailed return-on-investment calculations below.  Either an early assignment on the last trading day prior to the August 27th ex-dividend date or on the September 20th options expiration date would be desirable to the Covered Calls Advisor 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 October 29th, 2024 is after the Sept 20th options expiration date.

As shown on the table at the bottom of this post, all nine criteria of my Dividend Capture Strategy are met with this position.  Even if this Yum China stock price declines somewhat during the next 35 days until the options expiration date, if the stock closes above the $32.50 strike price, then a satisfactory annualized-return-on-investment of +34.8% will be achieved.  The probability that this position will be in-the-money and therefore assigned on the options expiration date was 60.8% when this position was established today.  

According to LSEG (Refinitiv), there are 27 Wall Street analysts covering Yum China and their average Target Price is $44.92 which is +34.7% above today's purchase price.  As shown in the image below, Yum China meets all 19 filters in my GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) stock screener.  Another reason for establishing this position was that Yum China also meets all filters in my Large-Cap Value+Profitability+Growth stock screener.  


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

  •  +2.8% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +93.8% annualized return-on-investment for the next 11days) if the stock is assigned early (on the last business day prior to the August 27th ex-dividend date); or  
  • +3.3% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +34.8% annualized return-on-investment over the next 35 days) if the stock is assigned on the September 20th, 2024 options expiration date.

Yum China Holdings Inc. (YUMC) -- New Covered Calls Position
The buy/write transaction was:
8/16/2024 Bought 1,000 Yum China shares @ $33.35.
8/16/2024 Sold 10 Yum China 9/20/2024 $32.50 Call options @ $1.75 per share.  The Implied Volatility of these Calls was 28.9 when this position was established which, as I prefer, is well above the current 14.9 of the S&P 500 Volatility Index (i.e. VIX).
8/27/2024 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.16 per share.

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) for this Yum China Holdings Inc. Covered Calls position are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $31,606.70
= ($33.35 - $1.75) * 1,000 shares + $6.70 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$1,743.30
= ($1.75 * 1,000 shares) - $6.70 commission
(b) Dividend Income (If Yum China Call options exercised early on the last business day prior to the August 27th ex-div date): +$0.00; or
(b) Dividend Income (If YUMC stock assigned at the Sept 20th, 2024 options expiration date): +$160.00
= ($.16 dividend per share x 1,000 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (If YUMC's Call options assigned early on Aug. 27th): -$850.00
+($32.50 strike price - $33.35 stock purchase price) * 1,000 shares; or
(c) Capital Appreciation (If shares assigned at $32.50 strike price at the September 20th options expiration): -$850.00
+($32.50 - $33.35) * 1,000 shares

1. Total Net Profit [If option exercised early (last business day prior to the August 27th ex-dividend date)]: +$893.30
= (+$1,743.30 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$850.00 capital appreciation); or
2. Total Net Profit (If YUMC's shares assigned at $32.50 at the Sept 20th, 2024 expiration): +$1,053.30
= (+$1,743.30 options income +$160.00 dividend income -$850.00 capital appreciation)

1. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment [If option exercised on business day prior to the 8/27/2024 ex-dividend date]: +2.8%
= +$893.30/$31,606.70
Potential Annualized Return-on-Investment (If option exercised early): +93.8%
= (+$893.30/$31,606.70) * (365/11 days); or
2. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Yum China's shares assigned on the September 20th options expiration date): +3.3%
= +$1,053.30/$31,606.70
Potential Annualized Return-on-Investment (If shares are assigned at $32.50 at the Sept 20th, 2024 options expiration date): +34.8%
= (+$1,053.30/$31,606.70) * (365/35 days)

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 Yum China Holdings Inc. Covered Calls position.


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Continuation of Covered Calls Position in KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF

Last Friday, the Covered Calls positions in KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (ticker KWEB) closed out-of-the-money. So, the Calls expired and shares remained in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.  This morning, I decided to continue this Covered Calls position by selling ten $26.50 strike price Call options to roll out to the August 16th, 2024 options expiration date. The transactions-to-date as well as the potential return-on-investment results if this position is assigned on the options expiration date is as follows:


KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) -- Continuation of Covered Calls Position 
The Buy/Write transaction was as follows:
5/20/2024 Bought 1,000 shares of CSI China Internet ETF @ $31.90 per share.  
5/20/2024 Sold 10 KWEB June 21st, 2024 $30.00 Call options @ $2.44 per share.  The Implied Volatility of the Calls was 31.2 when this position was established.  
6/21/2024 Ten KWEB Calls expired out-of-the-money and the 1,000 KWEB shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
6/24/2024 Continued this Covered Calls position by selling-to-open 10 KWEB 7/19/2024 $30.00 Call options at $.33 when the KWEB price was $28.60 per share against the 1,000 KWEB shares owned.
7/19/2024 Ten KWEB Calls expired out-of-the-money and the 1,000 KWEB shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
7/22/2024 Continued this Covered Calls position by selling-to-open 10 KWEB 8/2/2024 $29.00 Call options at $.17 when the KWEB price was $27.70 per share against the 1,000 KWEB shares owned.
8/7/2024 Continued this Covered Calls position by selling-to-open 10 KWEB 8/16/2024 $26.50 Call options at $.38 against the 1,000 KWEB shares owned.

A possible overall performance result (including commissions) for this CSI China Internet ETF Covered Calls position if it is in-the-money on its 8/16/2024 options expiration date is as follows: 
KWEB Covered Calls Net Investment: $29,466.70
= ($31.90 - $2.44) * 1,000 shares + $6.70 commission

Net Profit:
(a) Options Income: +$3,293.20
= ($2.44 + $.33 + $.17 +$.38) * 1,000 shares - $26.80 commissions
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (If 1,000 CSI China Internet ETF shares assigned at $26.50 strike price at the 8/16/2024 options expiration date): -$5,400.00
+($26.50 strike price - $31.90 shares purchase price) * 1,000 shares

Total Net Loss (If 1,000 CSI China Internet ETF shares assigned at the $26.50 strike price at expiration): - $2,106.80
= (+$3,293.20 options income + $0.00 dividend income - $5,400.00 capital appreciation)

Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment: -7.1%
= -$2,106.80/$29,466.70
Potential Annualized Return-on-Investment: -29.7%
= (-$2,106.80/$29,466.70) * (365/88 days)

Monday, August 5, 2024

Covered Calls Position Closed in Nvidia Corporation

Early this afternoon, I decided to unwind (i.e. close out) the Covered Calls position in Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) at a substantial loss by selling-to-close the 300 shares at $101.20 per share and buying-to-close the 3 August 16th, 2024 $110.00 Calls at $2.43 per share.  Since establishing this position on July 24th, Nvidia stock has experienced a persistent and substantial decline totaling -14.2%.  During the past month, I have been slowly decreasing my stock exposure so that the overwhelming majority of my equity is now in a money market fund yielding about 5.0%.  Given the current market volatility, I will likely continue with this conservative positioning for the next few weeks before returning to my normal majority exposure to Covered Calls positions.  The detailed results for this Nvidia Covered Calls position are provided below.

Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) -- Covered Calls Position Closed Out by Decision
The Buy/Write transaction was as follows:
7/24/2024 Bought 300 shares of Nvidia Corporation @ $117.96 per share.  
7/24/2024 Sold 3 NVDA  August 16th, 2024 $110.00 Call options @ $11.12 per share.  The Implied Volatility of these Call options was very high at 51.5 and the probability that the Calls will expire in-the-money on the options expiration date was 69.0% when this transaction was executed today.
8/5/2024 Unwound (i.e. closed out) this NVDA Covered Calls position by selling-to-close the 300 shares at $101.20 per share and buying-to-close the 3 August 16th, 2024 $110.00 Calls at $2.43 per share.  

The overall performance result (including commissions) for this Nvidia Corporation Covered Calls position is as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $32,054.01
= ($117.96 - $11.12) * 300 shares + $2.01 commission

Net Profit:
(a) Options Income: +$2,602.98
= ($11.12 - $2.43) * 300 shares - $4.02 commissions
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation: -$5,028.00
+($101.20 stock selling price - $117.96 stock purchase price) * 300 shares

Total Net Loss: -$2,425.02
= (+$2,602.98 options income + $0.00 dividend income - $5,028.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: -7.6%
= -$2,425.02/$32,054.01
Annualized Return-on-Investment: -230.1%
= (-$2,425.02/$32,054.01) * (365/12 days)

Saturday, August 3, 2024

August 2nd, 2024 Options Expiration Results

The Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio had two Covered Calls positions with August 2nd, 2024 weekly options expiration dates.  Both positions (Dell Technologies Inc. and KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) closed well out-of-the-money.   For Dell, the stock has declined precipitously and yesterday afternoon I unwound the position by selling to close the 200 shares and simultaneously buying-to-close the 2 Call options.  For KWEB, I allowed the Calls to expire and the 1,000 shares to remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.  I will decide early next week whether to sell these KWEB shares or to continue this Covered Calls position by selling Calls against the shares.  As always, I will make a post on this blog on the same day that I make a transaction with this KWEB position.  

I also owned a Covered Calls position in Delta Airlines Inc. with an August 9th options expiration date and which I also decided to close out yesterday afternoon.  Both Dell and Delta were losing positions and their detailed transactions and results are as follows:

1. Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) -- Covered Calls Position Closed Out
The original buy/write transaction was:
7/16/2024 Bought 200 Dell Technologies Inc. shares @ $134.00
7/16/2024 Sold 2 DELL 8/2/2024 $130.00 Call options @ $7.30 per share.
7/23/2024 Ex-dividend of $.445 per share.
8/2/2024 Unwound this DELL Covered Calls position by selling-to-close the 200 shares @ $102.56 per share and buying-to-close the 2 8/2/2024 $130.00 Calls at $.04 per share.

The overall performance result (including commissions) for this Dell Covered Calls position is as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $25,341.34
= ($134.00 - $7.30) * 200 shares + $1.34 commission

Net Profit:
(a) Options Income: +$1,458.66
= ($7.30 * 200 shares) - $1.34 commission
(b) Dividend Income:  +$89.00
= ($.445 dividends per share x 200 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation: -$6,288.00
= ($102.56 stock selling price - $134.00 stock purchase price) x 200 shares

Total Net Loss: -$4,740.34
= (+$1,458.66 options income +$89.00 dividend income -$6,288.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: -18.7%
= (-$4,740.34/$25,341.34)
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment: -401.6%
= (-$4,740.34/$25,341.34) * (365/17 days)

2.Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) -- Covered Calls Position Closed Out
The original buy/write transaction was:
7/22/2024 Bought 400 Delta Air Lines Inc. shares @ $44.15.
7/22/2024 Sold 4 Delta 8/9/2024 $43.00 Call options @ $1.81 per share.
7/30/2024 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.15 per share.
8/2/2024 Unwound this Delta Covered Calls position by selling-to-close the 400 shares @ $39.84 per share and buying-to-close the 4 8/9/2024 $43.00 Calls at $.09 per share.

The overall performance results (including commissions) for this Delta Air Lines Inc. Covered Calls position are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $16,938.68
= ($44.15 - $1.81) * 400 shares + $2.68 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$721.32
= ($1.81 * 400 shares) - $2.68 commission
(b) Dividend Income: +$60.00
= ($.15 dividend per share x 400 shares
(c) Capital Appreciation: -$1,724.00
= ($39.84 stock selling price - $44.15 stock purchase price) x 400 shares

Total Net Profit: -$942.68
= (+$721.32 options income +$60.00 dividend income -$1,724.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: -5.6%
= -$942.68/$16,938.68
Annualized Return-on-Investment: -112.9%
= (-$942.68/$16,938.68) * (365/18 days)

Jeff Partlow
The Covered Calls Advisor
partlow@cox.net


Thursday, August 1, 2024

Established Covered Calls in Las Vegas Sands Corporation

Today, a buy/write limit order was entered in Las Vegas Sands Corporation (ticker LVS) to buy 500 shares and simultaneously sell 5 Call options at the August 16th, 2024 monthly options expiration date and at the $37.00 strike price. The net debit limit price for my order was $36.67 and this order was executed when 500 shares were purchased at $38.44 and 5 August 16th, 2024 Call options were sold for $1.77 per share.  Therefore, a maximum potential time value profit of $.33 per share = [$1.77 options premium - ($38.44 stock price - $37.00 strike price)] is available for this position.  

This position uses the Covered Calls Advisor's Dividend Capture Strategy since Las Vegas Sands has an upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.20 per share next Tuesday (August 6th) which is prior to the August 16th options expiration date.  This is equivalent to an absolute annual dividend yield of 2.1% and an equivalent annualized dividend yield of 12.7% = [($.20/$38.44) x (365/15 days to expiration)].  This dividend is included in the detailed return-on-investment calculations below.  Either an early assignment next Monday, August 5th (the last trading day prior to the ex-dividend date) or on the August 16th 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 October 23rd, 2024 is more than two months after the August 16th options expiration date.

Despite the name "Las Vegas Sands", their casino properties are primarily in Macau.  Their current profitable growth is likely to continue for years to come and I like that they are spending capital to maintain their properties as top-rate destinations as well as for investor-friendly dividends and stock buybacks.  The average target price of the 14 analysts covering Las Vegas Sands is $54.97 (+43.0% above today's stock purchase price).  Also, Las Vegas Sands appeared in my Quality+Value+Growth stock screener by meeting all 19 filters as shown in the chart below.  It also met all filters in 3 additional of my stock screeners -- Analysts' Picks, Future 5-Year PEG Ratios, and StockRover Overall.

As shown on the table at the bottom of this post, all nine criteria of the Dividend Capture Strategy are met with this position.  Even if the Las Vegas Sands stock price declines somewhat during the next 15 days until the options expiration date, if the stock closes above the $37.00 strike price, then a very satisfactory annualized-return-on-investment of +34.7% will be achieved.  The probability that these Call options will expire in-the-money on the options expiration date was 73.0% when this position was established.   


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

  •  +0.9% absolute return (equivalent to +64.3% annualized return-on-investment for the next 5 days) if the stock is assigned early (on the last business day prior to the August 6th ex-dividend date); or  
  • +1.4% absolute return (equivalent to +34.7% annualized return-on-investment over the next 15 days) if the stock is assigned on the August 16th, 2024 options expiration date.

Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS) -- New Covered Calls Position
The buy/write transaction was:
8/1/2024 Bought 500 Las Vegas Sands shares @ $38.44
8/1/2024 Sold 5 LVS 8/16/2024 $37.00 Call options @ $1.77 per share.
Note: Implied Volatility (IV) of the Call options was at 24.9 when this position was transacted which, as preferred, is above the current VIX of 17.8.   
8/6/2024 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.20 per share.

Two possible overall performance results (including commissions) for this Las Vegas Sands Corp. Covered Calls position are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $18,338.35
= ($38.44 - $1.77) * 500 shares + $3.35 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$881.65
= ($1.77 * 500 shares) - $3.35 commission
(b) Dividend Income (If LVS Call options exercised early on Aug 5th, 2024, the last business day prior to the August 6th ex-div date): +$0.00; or
(b) Dividend Income (If LVS stock assigned at the August 16th, 2024 options expiration): +$100.00
= ($.20 dividend per share x 500 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (If Las Vegas Sand's Call options assigned early on August 6th): -$720.00
+($37.00 - $38.44) * 500 shares; or
(c) Capital Appreciation (If shares assigned at $37.00 strike price at the 8/16/2024 options expiration): -$720.00
+($37.00 - $38.44) * 500 shares

1. Total Net Profit [If option exercised early (business day prior to the August 6th ex-dividend date)]: +$161.65
= (+$881.65 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$720.00 capital appreciation); or
2. Total Net Profit (If LVS's shares assigned at $37.00 at the Aug 16th, 2024 expiration): +$261.65
= (+$881.65 options income + $100.00 dividend income - $720.00 capital appreciation)

1. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment [If option exercised on business day prior to ex-dividend date]: +0.9%
= +$161.65/$18,338.35
Potential Annualized Return (If option exercised early): +64.3%
= (+$161.65/$18,338.35) * (365/5 days); or
2. Potential Absolute Return-on-Investment (If LVS's shares assigned on the August 16th options expiration date): +1.4%
= +$261.65/$18,338.35
Potential Annualized Return (If Las Vegas Sand's shares assigned at $37.00 at the 8/16/2024 options expiration date): +34.7%
= (+$261.65/$18,338.35) * (365/15 days)

Either outcome provides an attractive return-on-investment result for this Las Vegas Sands investment.  These returns will be achieved as long as the stock is above the $37.00 strike price at assignment.  However, if the stock declines below the strike price, the breakeven price of $36.47 ($38.44 -$1.77 -$.20) provides 5.1% 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 Las Vegas Sands Corporation Covered Calls position.