Option Trade

    An investor can receive cash flow from the markets in 3 ways which are option premiums, dividends and interest.  REITs, funds, and ETFs pay distributions that can be comprised of  a combination of interest, dividends, and return of capital.  Return of capital is money returned to the investor tax-free until the security is sold.  Return of capital reduces the adjusted cost basis, which therefore increases your gains or decreases your losses.

    I own 900 shares of IAMGOLD (IMG), that were purchased on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Currently, my adjusted cost base on my position is $4691.80 or $5.21/share.  The stock has traded between $4.26 and $5.89 over the past 3 months, which can be seen in the chart.

3 Month Chart

       IMG does not pay a dividend. The price of gold has been volatile as of late, which is likely due to the election of Donald Trump and what investors think of possible interest rate hike in the US.  I am looking to unload this position, but the price does not seem to go much above my adjusted cost base per share.

        I perused the option table for IMG, and decided to sell covered calls to collect some income. But, as per the chart above, IMG has been trading closer to $5 and under per share for the past 3 months.  So, I decided to sell cover calls with a strike price of $5 instead of $6.  The expiration date is December 16, 2016. 

Summary:

Option premium received minus commissions : $242.05
Days to expiration : 8
Option Assignment Fee :  $24.95
Adjusted Cost Base = $4691.80

Scenario #1: Option not assigned

Return = Option premium received /
            = $242.05 / $4500
            = 5.38 %

This return of 5.38 % is the return for only 8 days.  The interest rate on my high interest savings account is currently 0.80% per year, which is actually laughable.

Annualized return = ($242.05/$4500) *(365/8)
                               = 245.41%

Scenario #2:  Option is assigned

Return=   Profit/ Intial cost
           = { (9*100*$5.00 + $242.05 - $24.95) - $4691.80} / $4691.80
           = 0.539%

If the option is assigned, the return is still positive.

DISCLAIMER

I am not a financial planner, financial advisor, accountant or tax attorney. The information on this blog represents my own thoughts and opinions and should NOT be taken as investment or business advice.

Every individual should do their due diligence to make their own financial decisions based on their financial situation and tolerance for risk.