Thursday, October 6, 2022

Covered Calls Established in General Motors Company

An October 21st, 2022 Covered Calls buy/write limit order was executed today in General Motors Company (ticker GM) at a net debit price of $31.38 per share.  Five hundred shares were purchased at $34.53 and five Oct. 21st, 2022 $32.00 strike price Call options were sold at $3.15 per share.  The corresponding extrinsic value (i.e. time value) was $.62 per share [$3.15 Call options premium - ($34.53 stock purchase price - $32.00 strike price)].   The Implied Volatility of the Calls was very high at 54.8 and the approximate probability of assignment at options expiration was 75.6% when this transaction was executed.  There is no ex-dividend and, as I prefer, no earnings report prior to the options expiration date.

When this position was established it was 7.9% in-the-money which is consistent with my current cautious Covered Calls approach during a bearish market environment.  GM's stock price has experienced a dramatic decline of 43% so far this year, but their current valuation is attractive--for example, their trailing twelve months P/E ratio is only 5.7.  Their year-over-year sales have begun to inflect positive during the past two quarters and their Q3 2022 earnings are expected to show year-over-year improvements beginning this quarter when they report on October 25th.  This positive trend should begin to benefit the stock price.  Analysts' current average target price is $50.89 (+47.4% above today's purchase price).  

Some key numbers for this General Motors Company Covered Calls position are:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $15,693.35
Profit if Assigned on Expiration Date: $306.65
Days Until October 21st, 2022 Options Expiration: 16
Absolute Return-on-Investment if Assigned at Expiration: +2.0%
Annualized Return-on-Investment if Assigned at Options Expiration: +44.6%

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Early Assignment of Covered Calls Position in JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Early this morning, the Covered Calls Advisor was notified by Schwab that the two JPMorgan Chase & Co. October 21st, 2022 $100.00 Call options were exercised yesterday (the last business day prior to today's October 5th ex-dividend date).   JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock has increased from its purchase price of $108.93 to $112.77 at the market close yesterday.  The original Delta of 79.3 (which approximates the probability of assignment at options expiration) had increased to a very high 96.2 at yesterday's market close. When this Covered Calls position was established, the time value (aka extrinsic value) was $1.22 per share [$10.15 Call options premium - ($108.93 stock purchase price - $100.00 strike price)].  This original $1.22 time value had declined on yesterday's market close to $0.00 so, as expected, the owner of the Calls exercised their option to buy the 200 shares at the $100.00 strike price in order to receive today's $1.00 per share dividend.  

Although I will not receive the $1.00 per share dividend, I preferred the Early Assignment for two reasons: (1) As detailed below, the early assignment for this JPMorgan Chase & Co.  position provided a higher annualized-return-on-investment result for the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio of +1.2% absolute return-on-investment (equivalent to +37.4% annualized roi for the 12 days this position was held)This result exceeded the maximum potential annualized-roi of +28.2% if the stock would instead be assigned on its October 21st, 2022 monthly options expiration date; and (2) Because of the stock price volatility that normally occurs immediately following the quarterly earnings report of any company, I strongly prefer not holding the stock of any company on that day; and in this case, JPMorgan's Q3 2022 earnings report on October 14th, 2022 is prior to the Oct. 21st options expiration date. 


JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) -- Covered Calls Position Closed by Early Assignment
The simultaneous buy/write transaction was:
9/23/2022 Bought 200 JPM shares @ $108.93
9/23/2022 Sold 2 JPM October 21st, 2022 $100.00 Call options @ $10.15 per share
10/04/2022 JPM Call options owner exercised their option, so the Covered Calls position was closed out early.  The 2 JPM Call options expired worthless and my 200 JPM shares were sold at the $100.00 strike price.

The overall performance results (including commissions) for this JPM Covered Calls position were as follows:
Stock Purchase Net Investment: $19,757.34
= ($108.93 - $10.15) *200 shares + $1.34 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$2,028.66
= ($10.15 *200 shares) - $1.34 commission
(b) Dividend Income (JPM Call options exercised early on October 4th, the business day prior to the October 5th ex-div date): +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (JPM shares assigned at $100.00 strike): -$1,786.00
+($100.00 -$108.93) * 200 shares

Total Net Profit: +$242.66
= (+$2,028.66 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$1,786.00 capital appreciation)
 
Absolute Return-on-Investment: +1.2%
= +$242.66/$19,757.34
Annualized Return-on-Investment: +37.4%
= (+$242.66/$19,757.34) * (365/12 days)


Monday, October 3, 2022

Closed Covered Calls Positions in Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.

At last Friday's September 30th, 2022 options expiration, Covered Calls positions in both Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. expired with the stock price below their respective strike prices, so the Calls expired and the shares remained in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.  With the increase in the overall stock market (and both Cleveland-Cliffs and Meta) early this morning, I decided to close out both positions.  

As detailed below, the return-on-investment results are:

  • Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.: +3.4% absolute return in 22 days (equivalent to a +56.3% annualized return-on-investment; and
  • Meta Platforms Inc.:  +0.8% absolute return in 20 days (equivalent to a +14.5% annualized return-on-investment.  

These two Covered Calls positions demonstrate the benefit of selling moderately in-the-money Covered Calls in bearish markets.  The Cleveland-Cliffs stock price declined by 8.7% since its original purchase price just 22 days ago and Meta Platforms' price declined by 5.6% over the past 20 days.  However, because of the substantial downside protection provided with in-the-money Covered Calls, profitable return-on-investment results were still achieved for both positions.

1. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) -- Covered Calls Position Closed
The original simultaneous buy/write transactions was as follows:
09/14/2022 Bought 500 shares of Cleveland-Cliffs stock @ $15.47 per share 
09/14/2022 Sold 5 Cleveland-Cliffs Sept.30th, 2022 $14.00 Call options @ $1.81 per share
09/30/2022 5 CLF $14.00 Call options expired out-of-the-money at $13.66 per share and the 500 Cliff shares remained in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
10/03/2022 Cleveland-Cliffs position closed out by sell 500 shares at $14.1302.

The overall performance results (including commissions) are as follows:
Covered Calls Cost Basis: $6,833.35
= ($15.47 - $1.81) * 500 shares + $3.35 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$901.65
= ($1.81 * 500 shares) - $3.35 commission
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (Cleveland-Cliffs stock sold on 10/03/2022 @ $14.1302 per share): -$669.90
= ($14.1302 sales price - $15.47 purchase price) * 500 shares

Net Profit: +$231.75
= (+$901.65 options income +$0.00 dividend income - $669.90 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: +3.4%
= +$231.75/$6,833.35
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment: +56.3%
= (+$231.75/$6,833.35) * (365/22 days)


2. Meta Platforms Inc. (CLF) -- Covered Call Position Closed
The original simultaneous buy/write transactions was as follows:

09/16/2022 Bought 100 shares of Meta Platforms stock @ $145.83 per share 
09/16/2022 Sold 1 Meta Sept. 30th, 2022 $140.00 Call option @ $9.25 per share
09/30/2022 Meta stock closed below the $140.00 strike price @ $136.58 per share, so the Meta Call option expired and 100 Meta shares remained in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
10/03/2022 Closed out this Meta Covered Calls position by selling 100 shares @ $137.675 early in today's trading day.

The overall performance results (including commissions) are as follows:
Covered Calls Cost Basis: $13,658.67
= ($145.83 - $9.25) * 100 shares + $.67 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$924.33
= ($9.25 * 100 shares) - $.67 commission
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (Meta Platforms stock sold on 10/03/2022 @ $137.675 per share): -$815.50
= ($137.675 - $145.83) * 100 shares

Net Profit: +$108.83
= (+$924.33 options income +$0.00 dividend income - $815.50 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: +0.8%
= +$108.83/$13,658.67
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment: +14.5%
= (+$108.83/$13,658.67) * (365/20 days)


Jeff Partlow (The Covered Calls Advisor)
partlow@cox.net

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Weekly Options Expiration Results for September 30th, 2022

The Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio held a total of six Covered Calls positions with September 30th, 2022 expirations.  Despite hedging all these positions by establishing in-the-money strike prices, all six stocks declined to below their strike prices (i.e. were out-of-the-money) as of yesterday afternoon on their options expiration date.  

  • Two positions (Energy Select Sector ETF and Medtronic Inc.) were rolled-down-and-out to the October 21st monthly options expiration date.  I continue with my original bullish outlook for these equities and by rolling them out am attempting to repair them back toward profitability. 
  • Two positions (Applied Materials Inc. and Best Buy Inc.) were closed out at a loss.  Both the Semiconductor industry and the Consumer Discretionary sector continue to be hit harder than most during this bear market; so I chose to exit both these positions at a loss.
  • Two positions (Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.) had their Call options expire out-of-the-money at yesterday's options expiration.  In each case, the shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.  Early next week, decisions will be made to either sell these shares or to continue these Covered Calls positions by selling future Call options against the shares currently held.

Detailed results for the two rollout and two closed-out positions are as follows: 

 1. Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLE) -- Rolled-Down-and-Out Covered Calls Position
The buy/write transaction today was as follows:
9/13/2022 Bought 300 Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF shares @ $80.31 per share
9/13/2022 Sold 3 XLE 9/30/2022 $76.00 Call options @ $4.91 per share
9/19/2022 Quarterly ex-distribution at $.8462 per share
9/30/2022 Bought-to-Close 3 XLE Sept 30th, 2022 $76.00 Call Options @ $.01 per share and simultaneously Sold-to-Open 3 XLE October 21st, 2022 $74.00 Calls @ $2.22 per share.

The overall performance results (including commissions) for this Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF Covered Call position if assigned on the October 21st options expiration date are as follows:
Covered Call Net Investment: $22,622.01
= ($80.31 - $4.91) * 300 shares + $2.01 commissions

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$2,130.99
= ($4.91+$2.22-$.01) * 300 shares - $5.01 commissions
(b) Dividend Income: +$240.00
= ($.8462 dividend per share x 300 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (If shares assigned at $74.00 strike price at options expiration): -$1,893.00
+($74.00 - $80.31) * 300 shares

Total Net Profit (If XLE shares assigned at $74.00 strike price at the October 21st, 2022 expiration): +$491.85
= (+$2,130.99 options income + $253.86.00 distribution income - $1,893.00 capital appreciation)
 
Absolute Return-on-Investment (If XLE shares assigned at $74.00 strike price on October 21st, 2022 expiration): +2.2%
= +$491.85/$22,622.01
Annualized Return-on-Investment (If XLE shares assigned at $74.00 at Oct. 21st, 2022 expiration): +20.9%
= (+$491.85/$22,622.01) *(365/38 days)

2. Medtronic PLC (MDT) -- Rolled-Down-and-Out Covered Calls Position
The buy/write transaction was:
09/19/2022 Bought 200 Medtronic PLC shares @ $88.19
09/19/2022 Sold 2 MDT 9/30/2022 $86.00 Call options @ $2.77
Note 1: the Implied Volatility of the Calls was 23.2 when this transaction executed.
Note 2: the Time Value (aka Extrinsic Value) in the Call options was $.58 per share = [$2.77 Call options premium - ($88.19 stock price - $86.00 strike price)]
09/22/2022 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.68 per share
9/30/2022 Bought-to-Close 2 MDT Sept 30th, 2022 $86.00 Call Options @ $.01 per share and simultaneously Sold-to-Open 2 MDT October 21st, 2022 $84.00 Calls @ $1.16 per share.

The overall performance results (including commissions) for this Medtronic Covered Calls position if assigned on the October 21st options expiration date are as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $17,085.34
= ($88.19 - $2.77) * 200 shares + $1.34 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$784.00
= ($2.77 + $1.16 - $.01) * 200 shares
(b) Dividend Income: +$0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation (If MDT shares assigned at $84.00 strike price at options expiration): -$838.00= +($84.00 - $88.19) * 200 shares

Total Net Profit (If Medtronic shares assigned at $84.00 strike price at Oct 21st, 2022 expiration): -$54.00
= (+$784.00 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$838.00 capital appreciation)
 
Absolute Return-on-Investment (If Medtronic shares assigned at $84.00 at Oct 21st, 2022 options expiration): -0.3%
= -$54.00/$17,085.34
Annualized Return-on-Investment (If MDT shares assigned at $84.00 at the Oct 21st, 2022 expiration): -3.6%
= (-$54.00/$17,085.34) * (365/32 days)

3. Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) -- Covered Calls Position Closed Out
The original $94.06 net debit buy/write limit order was transacted as follows:
08/24/2022 Bought 200 AMAT shares @ $100.76
08/24/2022 Sold 2 AMAT Sept. 2nd, 2022 $95.00 Call options @ $6.70 per share.
Note: as is often the case, these Call options were transacted slightly below the midpoint of the $6.65/$6.80 bid/ask spread.
9/2/2022 AMAT shares closed at $91.35, well below the $95.00 strike price, so the Calls expired and 200 AMAT shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
9/7/2022 Continued Applied Materials Covered Calls position by selling two Sept 16th, 2022 $92.50 Call options @ $2.30 per share.  The stock price was $91.42 when this transaction was executed.
9/16/2022 Two AMAT Call options expired out-of-the-money and 200 AMAT shares remain in the Covered Calls Advisor Portfolio.
9/19/2022 Continued Applied Materials Covered Calls position by selling two Sept 30th, 2022 $91.00 Call options @ $2.42 per share.
9/30/2022 Bought-to-Close 2 AMAT Sept 30th, 2022 $91.00 Call Options @ $.02 per share and simultaneously Sold-to-Close 200 Applied Materials shares @ $82.72 per share.

The overall performance result (including commissions) was as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $18,813.34
= ($100.76 - $6.70) * 200 shares + $1.34 commission

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$2,275.98
= ($6.70 + $2.30 + $2.42 - $.02) * 200 shares - $4.02 commission
(b) Dividend Income: $0.00
(c) Capital Appreciation: -$3,608.00
= ($82.72 -$100.76) * 200 shares

Total Net Profit (If stock assigned on the September 30th options expiration date): -$1,332.02
= (+$2,279.98 options income +$0.00 dividend income -$3,608.00 capital appreciation)

Absolute Return-on-Investment: -7.1%
= -$1,332.02/$18,813.34
Equivalent Annualized Return-on-Investment: -69.8%
= (-$1,332.02/$18,813.34) * (365/37 days)


4. Best Buy
Inc. (BBY) -- Covered Calls Position Closed Out
The buy/write transaction was:
9/13/2022 Bought 200 shares of Best Buy shares @ $74.90 per share 
9/13/2022 Sold 2 Best Buy September 30th, 2022 $71.00 Call options @ $4.64 per share
Note: this was a $70.26 net debit limit Buy/Write transaction
09/19/2022 Upcoming quarterly ex-dividend of $.88 per share
9/30/2022 Bought-to-Close 2 Best Buy Sept 30th, 2022 $71.00 Call Options @ $.02 per share and simultaneously Sold-to-Close 200 BBY shares @ $63.95 per share.

The overall performance results (including commissions) for this Best Buy Covered Calls position was as follows:
Covered Calls Net Investment: $14,053.34
= ($74.90 - $4.64) * 200 shares + $1.34 commissions

Net Profit Components:
(a) Options Income: +$922.66
= ($4.64 - $.02) x 200 shares - $1.34 commissions
(b) Dividend Income: +$176.00
= ($.88 dividend per share x 200 shares)
(c) Capital Appreciation (200 Best Buy shares sold at $63.95 per share): -$2,190.00
+($63.95 - $74.90) * 200 shares 

Total Net Profit: -$1,087.34
 = (+$926.66 options income +$176.00 dividend income - $2,190.00 capital appreciation)
 
Absolute Return-on-Investment: -7.7%
= -$1,087.34/$14,053.34
Annualized Return-on-Investment (If Best Buy stock assigned at $71.00 at the 9/30/2022 expiration): -156.9%
= (-$1,087.34/$14,053.34) *(365/18 days)
 

Jeff Partlow
Covered Calls Advisor
partlow@cox.net