Options Update: March 2019

March was another busy month for options trading. I collected nearly $2,500 in options income this month and I'm happy to report that I'm now ahead of pace as far as my options income goal for 2019 is concerned.

As usual, this article will cover options transactions I executed this month, and I'll summarize the options that will expire in April and May. I'll conclude with the usual running tally of options income received versus options income secured.

Recap

I made up lost ground in February by selling several covered calls and put options, and rolling some options forward as well. March was another busy options trading month, with one expiration, two covered calls, three secured puts, a few transactions in which I closed or rolled forward options.

Below is a snapshot showing these trades:

Assigned Options

When an options holder exercises an option, it is said to be assigned.

After no fewer than four assignments in February, I'm happy to say there were no assignments in March.

Expired Options

In March, the following option expired:

#283

2018-12-06

:

-1

×

VLO 15 Mar 2019 $90.00 C

$ 165.00

( $ -0.79 )

On 15 March, Valero Energy (VLO) closed at $85.08 per share, below the $90 strike price of the January calls I'd sold. So the calls expired and I no longer have the obligation to sell 100 VLO shares.

I secured options income of $164 with this trade.

Closed Options

When an out of the money option goes further out of the money, you can close the option early and secure most of the options income.

I closed the following option early:

#297

2019-01-16

:

-1

×

AAPL 18 Apr 2019 $155.00 P

$ 809.00

( $ -12.18 )

On 26 March, Apple (AAPL) traded around $186 per share. The $155 put I'd sold was deep out of the money and I decided to buy back the put. Closing the option early secured 98% of the available options income. The trade netted $796.82.

Rolled Options

Rolling forward options means buying back an option and selling another option with a later expiration date. You can do this to avoid options assignment for in the money options, or to collect more options income for out of the money options.

I rolled forward the following options this month:

#333	2019-03-27	:	-1	×	XOM 20 Sep 2019 $85.00 C	$ 151.00	( $   -0.64 )
#287	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	XOM 18 Apr 2019 $85.00 C	$ 126.00	( $   -7.73 )	→ #333
#332	2019-03-27	:	-2	×	PFE 20 Sep 2019 $45.00 C	$ 173.00	( $   -0.83 )
#272	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	PFE 21 Jun 2019 $50.00 C	$ 154.00	( $   -6.40 )	→ #332
#331	2019-03-27	:	-2	×	DGX 16 Aug 2019 $95.00 C	$ 341.00	( $   -1.67 )
#295	2018-12-28	:	-1	×	DGX 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$   62.00	( $ -16.09 )	→ #331
#260	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	DGX 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$ 135.00	( $ -16.17 )
#330	2019-03-27	:	-2	×	ABBV 16 Aug 2019 $90.00 C	$ 264.00	( $   -0.84 )
#257	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	ABBV 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$ 500.00	( $ -14.01 )	→ #330
#329	2019-03-27	:	-1	×	AAPL 16 Aug 2019 $170.00 P	$ 492.00	( $   -0.55 )
#321	2019-02-28	:	-1	×	AAPL 17 May 2019 $155.00 P	$ 170.00	( $ -68.73 )	→ #329

With Exxon Mobil (XOM) trading just above $80 on 27 March, the covered call I'd sold on XOM was out of the money. I decided to roll forward the option to September 2019 and earn extra income. Doing so secured $118 in options income and I collected another $150 for selling the September $80 call.

Also on 27 March, Pfizer (PFE) trade at around $42 per share, significantly below the $50 strike price of the June calls I'd sold. I decided to roll forward the covered call to September and simultaneously to lower the strike price to $45. This secured $148 in options income and I collected another $172 for selling the September calls. 

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) traded below $89 per share on 27 March, making the May $100 calls I'd sold deep out of the money. I decided to roll forward the options to August, simultaneously lowering the strike price to $95. I secured $165 in options income and collected another $339 for selling the August calls.

AbbVie (ABBV)'s share price dropped below $80 on 27 March, so I decided to roll forward my May $100 covered calls to August, simultaneously lowering the strike price to $90. Doing so secured $486 in options income and I added another $263 to DivGro's options income tally.

Finally, on 27 March, I decided to roll forward my put option on Apple (AAPL) and simultaneously to increase the strike price to $170. The trade netted $101 in secured options income and I received $491 for selling the $170 put expiring on 16 August 2019.

Covered Calls

Selling covered calls is a way to collect extra income on stocks you already own.

I sold the following covered calls in March:

#328	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	VLO 21 Jun 2019 $95.00 C	$ 114.00	( $ -0.79 )
#325	2019-03-25	:	-2	×	GILD 16 Aug 2019 $70.00 C	$ 314.00	( $ -0.99 )

---

#328 : 2019-03-25: Sold to Open 1 Contract of Option VLO Jun 21 2019 95.00 C

I own 100 shares of Valero Energy (VLO) at a cost basis of $63.54 per share. I'm willing to sell these shares for $95.00 on or before 21 June:

Open Date :  2019-03-25 Expiration Date :  2019-06-21     Number of Days in Trade :  88 Cost Basis :  $63.54 per share Gain at Strike Price :  49.51% Strike Price :  $95.00 per share Number of Contracts : 1 Number of Shares : 100 Call Premium :  $1.14 per share Options Income :  $114.00 Commission :  -$0.79 Net Premium :  $1.132 per share Net Options Income :  $113.21 Options Yield :  1.78% Annualized Options Yield :  7.40% ----------------------------   --------------------- -------------------------------   ----------- Commission if Exercised :  $0.00 Cost Basis if Exercised :  $62.39 Gain if Exercised :  52.26%

This covered call yields 1.78%, or 7.40% on an annualized basis. The yield on cost of my VLO position is 5.67%, so I'm boosting dividend income by a factor of 1.31. If the option is exercised, I'll sell 100 shares of VLO at a reduced cost basis of $62.39 per share, for capital gains of 52.26%.

---

#325 : 2019-03-25: Sold to Open 2 Contracts of Option GILD Aug 16 2019 70.00 C

I own 200 shares of Gilead Sciences (GILD) at a cost basis of $70.64 per share. I'm willing to sell these shares for $70.00 on or before 16 August:

Open Date :  2019-03-25 Expiration Date :  2019-08-16     Number of Days in Trade :  144 Cost Basis :  $70.64 per share Gain at Strike Price :  -0.91% Strike Price :  $70.00 per share Number of Contracts : 2 Number of Shares : 200 Call Premium :  $1.57 per share Options Income :  $314.00 Commission :  -$0.99 Net Premium :  $1.565 per share Net Options Income :  $313.01 Options Yield :  2.22% Annualized Options Yield :  5.62% ----------------------------   --------------------- -------------------------------   ----------- Commission if Exercised :  $0.00 Cost Basis if Exercised :  $69.07 Gain if Exercised :  1.35%

This covered call yields 2.22%, or 5.62% on an annualized basis. The yield on cost of my GILD position is 3.57%, so I'm boosting dividend income by a factor of 1.58. If the options are exercised, I'll sell 200 shares of GILD at a reduced cost basis of $69.07 per share, for capital gains of 1.35%.

---

For covered calls, I think an achievable goal is to earn double the dividend yield. Unfortunately, neither of these covered call trade achieves this goal. I'm satisfied that I'll collect capital gains should  these call options be exercised.

New Put Contracts

Selling put options allows me to set the price I'm willing to pay for a stock I want to buy. In effect, I get paid while waiting for the share price to drop!

I sold the following put contracts in March:

#327	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	VLO 17 May 2019 $80.00 P	$ 224.00	( $ -0.79 )
#326	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	TIF 17 May 2019 $100.00 P	$ 220.00	( $ -0.84 )
#324	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	DIS 21 Jun 2019 $105.00 P	$ 295.00	( $ -0.79 )

---

#327 : 2019-03-25: Sold to Open 1 Contract of Option VLO May 17 2019 80.00 P

I'm willing to buy 100 shares of Valero Energy (VLO) for $80.00 per share on or before 17 May. VLO closed at $85.48 per share on the date of my trade:

Open Date :  2019-03-25 Expiration Date :  2019-05-17     Number of Days in Trade :  53 Price at Close :  $85.48 per share Discount at Strike Price :  6.41% Strike Price :  $80.00 per share Number of Contracts : 1 Number of Shares : 100 Put Premium :  $2.24 per share Options Income :  $224.00 Commission :  -$0.79 Net Premium :  $2.232 per share Net Options Income :  $223.21 Options Yield :  2.61% Annualized Options Yield :  18.00% ----------------------------   --------------------- -------------------------------   ----------- Commission if Exercised :  $0.00 Cost Basis if Exercised :  $77.75 Discount if Exercised :  9.04%

This put option trade yields 2.61%, or 18.00% on an annualized basis. At $85.48 per share, VLO yields 4.21%, so I'm boosting dividend income by a factor of 4.27. If the option is exercised, I'll buy 100 shares at a cost basis of $77.75 per share, a discount of 9.04%.

---

#326 : 2019-03-25: Sold to Open 1 Contract of Option TIF May 17 2019 100.00 P

I'm willing to buy 100 shares of Tiffany (TIF) for $100.00 per share on or before 17 May. TIF closed at $102.80 per share on the date of my trade:

Open Date :  2019-03-25 Expiration Date :  2019-05-17     Number of Days in Trade :  53 Price at Close :  $102.80 per share Discount at Strike Price :  2.72% Strike Price :  $100.00 per share Number of Contracts : 1 Number of Shares : 100 Put Premium :  $2.20 per share Options Income :  $220.00 Commission :  -$0.84 Net Premium :  $2.192 per share Net Options Income :  $219.16 Options Yield :  2.13% Annualized Options Yield :  14.69% ----------------------------   --------------------- -------------------------------   ----------- Commission if Exercised :  $0.00 Cost Basis if Exercised :  $97.79 Discount if Exercised :  4.87%

This put option trade yields 2.13%, or 14.69% on an annualized basis. At $102.80 per share, TIF yields 2.14%, so I'm boosting dividend income by a factor of 6.87. If the option is exercised, I'll buy 100 shares at a cost basis of $97.79 per share, a discount of 4.87%.

---

#324 : 2019-03-25: Sold to Open 1 Contract of Option DIS Jun 21 2019 105.00 P

I'm willing to buy 100 shares of Walt Disney (DIS) for $105.00 per share on or before 21 June. DIS closed at $107.79 per share on the date of my trade:

Open Date :  2019-03-25 Expiration Date :  2019-06-21     Number of Days in Trade :  88 Price at Close :  $107.79 per share Discount at Strike Price :  2.59% Strike Price :  $105.00 per share Number of Contracts : 1 Number of Shares : 100 Put Premium :  $2.95 per share Options Income :  $295.00 Commission :  -$0.79 Net Premium :  $2.942 per share Net Options Income :  $294.21 Options Yield :  2.73% Annualized Options Yield :  11.33% ----------------------------   --------------------- -------------------------------   ----------- Commission if Exercised :  $0.00 Cost Basis if Exercised :  $102.04 Discount if Exercised :  5.33%

This put option trade yields 2.73%, or 11.33% on an annualized basis. At $107.79 per share, DIS yields 1.63%, so I'm boosting dividend income by a factor of 6.94. If the option is exercised, I'll buy 100 shares at a cost basis of $102.04 per share, a discount of 5.33%.

---

For selling puts, I like to see a dividend boost factor of 5.00 or more unless I can buy shares at a discount of at least 10%.Two of these put options trades achieve my boost factor goal, while the third just misses the discount target with potential return of 9%.

Options Income Tally

ID	DATE	:	NO	×	TICKER OPTION	INCOME	( EXPENSES )	ROLLED	TOTAL	➤ SECURED
#333	2019-03-27	:	-1	×	XOM 20 Sep 2019 $85.00 C	$       151.00	( $          -0.64 )		$    48,848.15	➤ $    23,877.15
#332	2019-03-27	:	-2	×	PFE 20 Sep 2019 $45.00 C	$       173.00	( $          -0.83 )		$    48,697.79	➤ $    23,877.79
#331	2019-03-27	:	-2	×	DGX 16 Aug 2019 $95.00 C	$       341.00	( $          -1.67 )		$    48,525.62	➤ $    23,878.62
#330	2019-03-27	:	-2	×	ABBV 16 Aug 2019 $90.00 C	$       264.00	( $          -0.84 )		$    48,186.29	➤ $    23,880.29
#329	2019-03-27	:	-1	×	AAPL 16 Aug 2019 $170.00 P	$       492.00	( $          -0.55 )		$    47,923.13	➤ $    23,881.13
#328	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	VLO 21 Jun 2019 $95.00 C	$       114.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    47,431.68	➤ $    23,881.68
#327	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	VLO 17 May 2019 $80.00 P	$       224.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    47,318.47	➤ $    23,882.47
#326	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	TIF 17 May 2019 $100.00 P	$       220.00	( $          -0.84 )		$    47,095.26	➤ $    23,883.26
#325	2019-03-25	:	-2	×	GILD 16 Aug 2019 $70.00 C	$       314.00	( $          -0.99 )		$    46,876.10	➤ $    23,884.10
#324	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	DIS 21 Jun 2019 $105.00 P	$       295.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    46,563.09	➤ $    23,885.09
#323	2019-02-28	:	-1	×	MSFT 17 May 2019 $100.00 P	$       105.00	( $          -1.52 )		$    46,268.88	➤ $    23,885.88
#322	2019-02-28	:	-2	×	JPM 21 Jun 2019 $95.00 P	$       294.00	( $          -2.59 )		$    46,165.40	➤ $    23,887.40
#321	2019-02-28	:	-1	×	AAPL 17 May 2019 $155.00 P	$       170.00	( $        -68.73 )	→ #329	$    45,873.99	➤ $    23,889.99
#320	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	TROW 18 Oct 2019 $110.00 C	$       220.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    45,772.72	➤ $    23,788.72
#319	2019-02-22	:	-2	×	TJX 18 Oct 2019 $60.00 C	$       130.00	( $          -0.08 )		$    45,553.81	➤ $    23,789.81
#318	2019-02-22	:	-3	×	SKT 17 Jan 2020 $25.00 C	$       195.00	( $          -0.12 )		$    45,423.89	➤ $    23,789.89
#317	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	PM 17 Jan 2020 $105.00 C	$         95.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    45,229.01	➤ $    23,790.01
#316	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	MSFT 18 Oct 2019 $125.00 C	$       287.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    45,134.80	➤ $    23,790.80
#315	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	MO 17 Jan 2020 $50.00 P	$       448.00	( $          -1.10 )		$    44,848.89	➤ $    23,791.89
#314	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	MO 17 Jan 2020 $50.00 P	$       448.00	( $          -1.10 )		$    44,401.99	➤ $    23,792.99
#313	2019-02-22	:	2	×	KO 17 Jan 2020 $52.50 C	$         67.00	( $          -1.58 )		$    43,955.09	➤ $    23,794.09
#312	2019-02-22	:	-2	×	INTC 18 Oct 2019 $55.00 C	$       670.00	( $          -1.59 )		$    43,889.67	➤ $    23,795.67
#311	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	HSY 18 Apr 2019 $110.00 P	$       250.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    43,221.26	➤ $    23,797.26
#310	2019-02-20	:	-1	×	TROW 18 Oct 2019 $110.00 C	$       209.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    42,972.05	➤ $    23,798.05
#309	2019-02-20	:	-1	×	T 17 Jan 2020 $35.00 C	$         52.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    42,764.14	➤ $    23,799.14
#308	2019-02-20	:	-4	×	T 17 Jan 2020 $35.00 C	$       213.00	( $          -3.16 )		$    42,712.93	➤ $    23,799.93
#307	2019-02-20	:	-2	×	ADM 20 Sep 2019 $45.00 C	$       234.00	( $          -0.98 )		$    42,503.09	➤ $    23,803.09
#306	2019-02-07	:	-1	×	IP 17 Jan 2020 $47.50 C	$       337.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    42,270.07	➤ $    23,804.07
#305	2019-02-07	:	-1	×	INTC 14 Jan 2021 $50.00 C	$       679.00	( $          -1.10 )		$    41,934.16	➤ $    23,805.16
#304	2019-02-07	:	-1	×	AAPL 17 Jan 2020 $180.00 C	$    1,380.00	( $          -1.11 )		$    41,256.26	➤ $    23,806.26
#303	2019-01-24	:	-1	×	WSM 15 Feb 2019 $55.00 C	$         42.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    39,877.37	➤ $    23,807.37
#302	2019-01-24	:	-19	×	F 17 Jan 2020 $10.00 C	$       722.00	( $        -15.25 )		$    39,836.46	➤ $    23,766.46
#301	2019-01-24	:	-1	×	F 17 Jan 2020 $10.00 C	$         36.00	( $          -1.58 )		$    39,129.71	➤ $    23,781.71
#300	2019-01-24	:	-1	×	AFL 15 Jan 2021 $50.00 C	$       420.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    39,095.29	➤ $    23,783.29
#299	2019-01-24	:	-1	×	AAPL 18 Apr 2019 $170.00 C	$       244.00	( $      -812.18 )	→ #304	$    38,676.38	➤ $    23,784.38
#298	2019-01-16	:	-1	×	MO 17 Jan 2020 $47.50 P	$       515.00	( $      -336.18 )	→ #314	$    39,244.56	➤ $    24,352.56
#297	2019-01-16	:	-1	×	AAPL 18 Apr 2019 $155.00 P	$       809.00	( $        -12.18 )		$    39,065.74	➤ $    24,173.74
#296	2018-12-28	:	-1	×	JPM 15 Feb 2019 $105.00 C	$       154.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    38,268.92	➤ $    23,376.92
#295	2018-12-28	:	-1	×	DGX 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$         62.00	( $        -16.09 )	→ #331	$    38,116.01	➤ $    23,224.01
#294	2018-12-27	:	-1	×	WSM 15 Feb 2019 $55.00 C	$         75.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    38,070.10	➤ $    23,178.10
#293	2018-12-27	:	-1	×	JPM 15 Feb 2019 $105.00 C	$         98.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    37,995.44	➤ $    23,178.44
#292	2018-12-27	:	-1	×	IP 15 Feb 2019 $42.50 C	$       105.00	( $      -378.18 )	→ #306	$    37,898.53	➤ $    23,179.53
#291	2018-12-21	:	-2	×	ADM 15 Mar 2019 $45.00 P	$       851.00	( $          -1.58 )		$    38,171.71	➤ $    23,452.71
#290	2018-12-14	:	-2	×	MO 21 Jun 2019 $60.00 C	$       230.00	( $          -1.58 )		$    37,322.29	➤ $    22,603.29
#289	2018-12-14	:	-1	×	MO 18 Jan 2019 $52.50 P	$       181.00	( $      -517.87 )	→ #298	$    37,093.87	➤ $    22,604.87
#288	2018-12-14	:	-1	×	AAPL 18 Jan 2019 $160.00 P	$       375.00	( $      -507.87 )	→ #297	$    37,430.74	➤ $    22,941.74
#287	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	XOM 18 Apr 2019 $85.00 C	$       126.00	( $          -7.73 )	→ #333	$    37,563.61	➤ $    23,074.61
#286	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	WSM 15 Feb 2019 $60.00 C	$       300.00	( $        -71.57 )		$    37,445.34	➤ $    22,956.34
#285	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	WBA 15 Jan 2021 $85.00 C	$    2,074.00	( $          -2.20 )		$    37,216.91	➤ $    22,727.91
#284	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	VYM 18 Jan 2019 $85.00 C	$         80.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    35,145.11	➤ $    22,730.11
#283	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	VLO 15 Mar 2019 $90.00 C	$       165.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    35,065.45	➤ $    22,650.45
#282	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	TSM 19 Jul 2019 $45.00 C	$         60.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    34,901.24	➤ $    22,486.24
#281	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	TSM 19 Jul 2019 $45.00 C	$         64.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    34,841.58	➤ $    22,486.58
#280	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	TRV 18 Apr 2019 $140.00 C	$       100.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    34,778.67	➤ $    22,487.67
#279	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	TROW 18 Apr 2019 $110.00 C	$       115.00	( $        -17.43 )	→ #320	$    34,679.01	➤ $    22,488.01
#278	2018-12-06	:	-4	×	TJX 17 Jan 2020 $45.00 P	$    1,746.00	( $          -4.00 )		$    34,581.44	➤ $    22,390.44
#277	2018-12-06	:	-4	×	T 21 Jun 2019 $35.00 C	$       128.00	( $        -46.58 )	→ #308	$    32,839.44	➤ $    22,394.44
#276	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	SBUX 15 Feb 2019 $70.00 C	$       132.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    32,758.02	➤ $    22,313.02
#275	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	ROST 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$         85.00	( $          -1.94 )		$    32,626.81	➤ $    22,181.81
#274	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	PM 18 Jan 2019 $80.00 P	$       160.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    32,543.75	➤ $    22,183.75
#273	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	PG 15 Jan 2021 $95.00 C	$    1,560.00	( $          -1.59 )		$    32,384.54	➤ $    22,024.54
#272	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	PFE 21 Jun 2019 $50.00 C	$       154.00	( $          -6.40 )	→ #332	$    30,826.13	➤ $    22,026.13
#271	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	O 21 Jun 2019 $70.00 C	$       188.00	( $            0.00 )		$    30,678.53	➤ $    21,878.53
#270	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	MSFT 15 Mar 2019 $125.00 C	$       115.00	( $          -3.88 )	→ #316	$    30,490.53	➤ $    21,878.53
#269	2018-12-06	:	-5	×	MAIN 21 Jun 2019 $40.00 C	$       250.00	( $          -0.18 )		$    30,379.41	➤ $    21,767.41
#268	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	LOW 21 Jun 2019 $120.00 C	$         67.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    30,129.59	➤ $    21,767.59
#267	2018-12-06	:	-4	×	KRG 17 May 2019 $20.00 C	$         60.00	( $        -36.00 )		$    30,063.38	➤ $    21,768.38
#266	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	KO 17 May 2019 $52.50 C	$       154.00	( $          -7.75 )	→ #313	$    30,039.38	➤ $    21,744.38
#265	2018-12-06	:	-3	×	KBH 19 Jul 2019 $26.00 C	$       309.00	( $      -279.81 )		$    29,893.13	➤ $    21,598.13
#264	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	JPM 18 Jan 2019 $110.00 C	$       146.00	( $        -10.17 )	→ #293	$    29,863.94	➤ $    21,568.94
#263	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	INTC 15 Feb 2019 $55.00 C	$       106.00	( $          -2.53 )		$    29,728.11	➤ $    21,433.11
#262	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	HRL 21 Jun 2019 $50.00 C	$       110.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    29,624.64	➤ $    21,329.64
#261	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	ES 19 Jul 2019 $70.00 C	$       270.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    29,514.98	➤ $    21,329.98
#260	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	DGX 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$       135.00	( $        -16.17 )	→ #331	$    29,245.32	➤ $    21,330.32
#259	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	D 19 Jul 2019 $80.00 C	$       130.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    29,126.49	➤ $    21,211.49
#258	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	AFL 17 May 2019 $45.00 C	$       160.00	( $      -371.87 )	→ #300	$    28,996.83	➤ $    21,211.83
#257	2018-12-06	:	-2	×	ABBV 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$       500.00	( $        -14.01 )	→ #330	$    29,208.70	➤ $    21,423.70
#256	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	AAPL 15 Feb 2019 $200.00 C	$       167.00	( $          -4.87 )	→ #299	$    28,722.71	➤ $    20,937.71
#255	2018-11-01	:	-3	×	GPS 21 Jun 2019 $27.00 P	$    1,004.00	( $          -1.47 )		$    28,560.58	➤ $    20,775.58
#254	2018-11-01	:	-2	×	FL 15 Feb 2019 $45.00 P	$       660.00	( $        -13.22 )		$    27,558.05	➤ $    20,777.05
#253	2018-11-01	:	-2	×	CMCSA 21 Jun 2019 $42.50 C	$       320.00	( $          -1.28 )		$    26,911.27	➤ $    20,130.27
#252	2018-10-29	:	-1	×	IP 21 Dec 2018 $42.50 P	$       162.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    26,592.55	➤ $    20,131.55
#251	2018-10-25	:	-3	×	GILD 18 Jan 2019 $80.00 C	$       304.00	( $        -63.51 )		$    26,431.34	➤ $    19,970.34
#250b	2018-10-24	:	-1	×	F 15 Mar 2019 $10.00 C	$         19.00	( $          -6.60 )	→ #301	$    26,190.85	➤ $    19,729.85
#250a	2018-10-24	:	-9	×	F 15 Mar 2019 $10.00 C	$       171.00	( $      -142.35 )		$    26,178.45	➤ $    19,717.45
#249	2018-10-23	:	-1	×	TSM 18 Jan 2019 $40.00 C	$       114.00	( $        -37.17 )	→ #282	$    26,149.80	➤ $    19,688.80
#248	2018-10-19	:	-2	×	PG 18 Jan 2019 $85.00 C	$       695.00	( $   -1,622.40 )	→ #273	$    26,072.97	➤ $    19,611.97
#247	2018-10-19	:	-3	×	NKE 18 Jan 2019 $70.00 P	$       558.00	( $          -3.84 )		$    27,000.37	➤ $    20,539.37
#246	2018-10-19	:	-10	×	F 15 Mar 2019 $10.00 C	$       160.00	( $      -160.61 )		$    26,446.21	➤ $    19,985.21
#245	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	WBA 18 Jan 2019 $72.50 C	$       615.00	( $   -2,046.00 )	→ #285	$    26,446.82	➤ $    19,985.82
#244	2018-10-12	:	-1	×	JNJ 17 Jan 2020 $150.00 C	$       518.00	( $          -0.64 )		$    27,877.82	➤ $    21,416.82
#243	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	ALK 18 Apr 2019 $62.50 P	$    1,106.00	( $      -521.75 )		$    27,360.46	➤ $    21,417.46
#242	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	XEL 21 Dec 2018 $45.00 P	$       120.00	( $        -18.00 )		$    26,776.21	➤ $    20,833.21
#241	2018-10-12	:	-1	×	VZ 16 Nov 2018 $52.50 P	$       115.00	( $        -10.87 )		$    26,674.21	➤ $    20,731.21
#240	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	TSM 16 Nov 2018 $36.00 P	$       100.00	( $          -1.57 )		$    26,570.08	➤ $    20,627.08
#239	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	SBUX 17 Jan 2020 $55.00 P	$       966.00	( $          -0.84 )		$    26,471.65	➤ $    20,528.65
#238	2018-10-12	:	2	×	SBUX 17 Jan 2020 $75.00 C	$           0.00	( $      -186.82 )		$    25,506.49	➤ $    20,529.49
#237	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	HRL 21 Dec 2018 $37.50 P	$       160.00	( $        -18.60 )		$    25,693.31	➤ $    20,716.31
#236	2018-10-12	:	-2	×	AFL 18 Jan 2019 $42.50 P	$       252.00	( $        -20.15 )		$    25,551.91	➤ $    20,574.91
#235	2018-10-02	:	-5	×	FLO 16 Nov 2018 $17.50 P	$       150.00	( $        -46.51 )		$    25,320.06	➤ $    20,343.06
#234	2018-10-02	:	-2	×	FL 16 Nov 2018 $50.00 P	$       620.00	( $      -599.68 )	→ #254	$    25,216.57	➤ $    20,239.57
#233	2018-10-02	:	-2	×	ALK 21 Dec 2018 $65.00 P	$       570.00	( $   -1,047.73 )	→ #243	$    25,196.25	➤ $    20,219.25
#232	2018-09-05	:	1	×	MGM 17 Jan 2020 $28.00 P	$       405.00	( $          -0.64 )		$    25,673.98	➤ $    20,696.98
#231	2018-09-05	:	-1	×	GILD 16 Nov 2018 $85.00 C	$         44.00	( $        -12.14 )	→ #251	$    25,269.62	➤ $    20,697.62
#230	2018-08-28	:	-4	×	TJX 18 Apr 2019 $50.00 P	$       499.00	( $   -1,829.58 )	→ #278	$    25,237.76	➤ $    20,665.76
#229	2018-08-28	:	-2	×	TJX 18 Apr 2019 $55.00 C	$       572.00	( $        -40.29 )		$    26,568.34	➤ $    21,996.34
#228	2018-08-28	:	-2	×	TGT 19 Oct 2018 $80.00 P	$       123.00	( $          -0.82 )		$    26,036.63	➤ $    21,464.63
#227	2018-08-28	:	-3	×	NKE 19 Oct 2018 $75.00 P	$       183.00	( $        -91.65 )	→ #247	$    25,914.45	➤ $    21,342.45
#226	2018-08-28	:	-10	×	F 18 Jan 2019 $11.00 C	$       216.00	( $        -81.06 )	→ #250	$    25,823.10	➤ $    21,251.10
#225	2018-08-17	:	-2	×	CMCSA 16 Nov 2018 $37.50 C	$       181.00	( $      -264.09 )	→ #253	$    25,688.16	➤ $    21,116.16
#224	2018-08-10	:	-10	×	F 18 Jan 2019 $11.00 C	$       210.00	( $        -65.61 )	→ #246	$    25,771.25	➤ $    21,199.25
#223	2018-08-06	:	-1	×	UNP 19 Oct 2018 $140.00 P	$       172.00	( $          -1.59 )		$    25,626.86	➤ $    21,054.86
#222	2018-08-06	:	-1	×	HON 21 Sep 2018 $145.00 P	$         75.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    25,456.45	➤ $    20,884.45
#221	2018-08-06	:	-1	×	HD 21 Sep 2018 $185.00 P	$       177.00	( $          -0.79 )		$    25,382.54	➤ $    20,810.54
#220	2018-08-06	:	-1	×	CVS 21 Sep 2018 $65.00 P	$       222.00	( $          -0.84 )		$    25,206.33	➤ $    20,634.33
#219	2018-08-06	:	-2	×	CSCO 19 Oct 2018 $40.00 P	$       124.00	( $          -2.57 )		$    24,985.17	➤ $    20,413.17
#218	2018-08-06	:	-2	×	BBY 21 Sep 2018 $70.00 P	$       324.00	( $          -0.98 )		$    24,863.74	➤ $    20,291.74
#217	2018-08-06	:	-2	×	ADM 21 Dec 2018 $45.00 P	$       124.00	( $      -671.30 )	→ #291	$    24,540.72	➤ $    19,968.72
#216	2018-07-30	:	-1	×	MGM 21 Sep 2018 $31.00 P	$       144.00	( $      -350.42 )	→ #232	$    25,088.02	➤ $    20,516.02
#215	2018-07-26	:	-1	×	MKC 21 Dec 2018 $115.00 P	$       353.00	( $        -20.45 )		$    25,294.44	➤ $    20,722.44
#214	2018-07-20	:	-2	×	WSM 16 Nov 2018 $60.00 P	$       717.00	( $            0.00 )		$    24,961.89	➤ $    20,389.89
#213	2018-07-18	:	-1	×	HSY 24 Aug 2018 $91.00 P	$       229.00	( $          -0.62 )		$    24,244.89	➤ $    19,672.89
#212	2018-06-20	:	-2	×	SBUX 17 Jan 2020 $50.00 P	$       915.00	( $      -153.55 )		$    24,016.51	➤ $    19,444.51
#211	2018-06-20	:	-1	×	HSY 20 Jul 2018 $92.00 P	$       194.00	( $        -65.41 )	→ #213	$    23,255.06	➤ $    18,683.06
#210	2018-06-20	:	-3	×	GIS 17 Jan 2020 $42.50 P	$    1,224.00	( $          -1.49 )		$    23,126.47	➤ $    18,554.47
#209	2018-06-20	:	3	×	GIS 17 Jan 2020 $60.00 C	$           0.00	( $      -235.46 )		$    21,903.96	➤ $    18,555.96
#208	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	TGT 19 Oct 2018 $70.00 P	$       355.00	( $        -20.43 )	→ #228	$    22,139.42	➤ $    18,791.42
#207	2018-06-14	:	-3	×	NKE 19 Oct 2018 $65.00 P	$       264.00	( $        -31.18 )	→ #227	$    21,804.85	➤ $    18,456.85
#206	2018-06-14	:	-20	×	F 18 Jan 2019 $12.00 C	$    1,383.00	( $      -306.09 )		$    21,572.03	➤ $    18,224.03
#205	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	WBA 19 Oct 2018 $70.00 C	$       288.00	( $      -413.80 )	→ #245	$    20,495.12	➤ $    17,147.12
#204	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	TSM 18 Jan 2019 $45.00 C	$         55.00	( $          -5.67 )		$    20,620.92	➤ $    17,272.92
#203	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	TRV 19 Oct 2018 $140.00 C	$       124.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    20,571.59	➤ $    17,223.59
#202	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	TJX 19 Oct 2018 $52.50 C	$         90.00	( $      -398.62 )	→ #229	$    20,448.68	➤ $    17,100.68
#201	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	T 19 Oct 2018 $36.00 C	$         94.00	( $          -1.58 )		$    20,757.30	➤ $    17,409.30
#200	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	RDS.B 18 Jan 2019 $80.00 C	$       115.00	( $        -30.67 )		$    20,664.88	➤ $    17,316.88
#199	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	PG 19 Oct 2018 $85.00 C	$         74.00	( $      -233.80 )	→ #248	$    20,580.55	➤ $    17,232.55
#198	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	LOW 18 Jan 2019 $120.00 C	$       110.00	( $        -10.57 )		$    20,740.35	➤ $    17,392.35
#197	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	JNJ 21 Dec 2018 $135.00 C	$       150.00	( $      -407.72 )	→ #244	$    20,640.92	➤ $    17,292.92
#196	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	GILD 16 Nov 2018 $85.00 C	$       166.00	( $        -23.68 )	→ #251	$    20,898.64	➤ $    17,550.64
#195	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	DIS 19 Oct 2018 $125.00 C	$       116.00	( $          -1.58 )		$    20,756.32	➤ $    17,408.32
#194	2018-06-14	:	-2	×	CMCSA 17 Aug 2018 $35.00 C	$       164.00	( $        -85.40 )	→ #225	$    20,641.90	➤ $    17,293.90
#193	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	BUD 21 Dec 2018 $115.00 C	$         85.00	( $        -12.57 )		$    20,563.30	➤ $    17,215.30
#192	2018-06-14	:	-1	×	AAPL 20 Jul 2018 $200.00 C	$       122.00	( $          -1.09 )		$    20,490.87	➤ $    17,142.87
#191	2018-06-12	:	-2	×	TPR 20 Jul 2018 $45.00 P	$       140.00	( $          -8.76 )		$    20,369.96	➤ $    17,021.96
#190	2018-06-12	:	-1	×	MKC 21 Sep 2018 $100.00 P	$       185.00	( $        -18.36 )	→ #215	$    20,238.72	➤ $    16,890.72
#189	2018-06-12	:	-2	×	AEO 17 Aug 2018 $24.00 P	$       180.00	( $          -9.17 )		$    20,072.08	➤ $    16,724.08
#188	2018-05-24	:	-2	×	WSM 17 Aug 2018 $47.50 P	$       240.00	( $        -12.08 )	→ #214	$    19,901.25	➤ $    16,553.25
#187	2018-05-24	:	-4	×	TJX 19 Oct 2018 $41.25 P	$       380.00	( $        -17.28 )	→ #230	$    19,673.33	➤ $    16,325.33
#186	2018-05-24	:	-2	×	TGT 20 Jul 2018 $67.50 P	$       224.00	( $        -32.79 )	→ #208	$    19,310.61	➤ $    15,962.61
#185	2018-05-24	:	-2	×	HSY 15 Jun 2018 $91.00 P	$       236.00	( $          -0.74 )		$    19,119.40	➤ $    15,771.40
#184	2018-05-11	:	-1	×	WMT 21 Jun 2019 $82.50 P	$       667.00	( $        -93.42 )		$    18,884.14	➤ $    15,536.14
#183	2018-05-11	:	-1	×	VLO 17 Jan 2020 $90.00 C	$    2,935.00	( $      -701.77 )		$    18,310.56	➤ $    14,962.56
#182	2018-05-11	:	-1	×	PG 17 Jan 2020 $72.50 P	$       633.00	( $      -179.71 )		$    16,077.33	➤ $    12,729.33
#181	2018-05-11	:	-1	×	MO 21 Jun 2019 $55.00 P	$       579.00	( $      -562.72 )	→ #315	$    15,624.04	➤ $    12,276.04
#180	2018-05-11	:	-3	×	GPS 21 Dec 2018 $29.00 P	$       912.00	( $      -886.90 )	→ #255	$    15,607.76	➤ $    12,259.76
#179	2018-05-11	:	-2	×	DIS 17 Jan 2020 $100.00 P	$    1,845.00	( $          -1.15 )		$    15,582.66	➤ $    12,234.66
#178	2018-05-11	:	2	×	DIS 17 Jan 2020 $130.00 C	$           0.00	( $      -712.11 )		$    13,738.81	➤ $    12,235.81
#177	2018-04-20	:	-3	×	GLW 18 Jan 2019 $27.00 P	$       618.00	( $      -102.32 )		$    14,450.92	➤ $    12,947.92
#176	2018-04-20	:	-1	×	PG 18 Jan 2019 $77.50 P	$       627.00	( $      -672.25 )	→ #182	$    13,935.24	➤ $    12,432.24
#175	2018-04-20	:	-1	×	MO 20 Jul 2018 $60.00 P	$       438.00	( $      -505.25 )	→ #181	$    13,980.49	➤ $    12,477.49
#174	2018-04-20	:	-3	×	KBH 18 Jan 2019 $30.00 P	$    1,494.00	( $          -1.46 )		$    14,047.74	➤ $    12,544.74
#173	2018-04-06	:	-1	×	WMT 18 May 2018 $87.50 P	$       304.00	( $      -508.25 )	→ #184	$    12,555.20	➤ $    11,052.20
#172	2018-04-06	:	-2	×	DIS 18 May 2018 $110.00 C	$       116.00	( $          -1.38 )		$    12,759.45	➤ $    11,256.45
#171	2018-03-23	:	-3	×	XLRE 18 May 2018 $29.00 P	$       120.00	( $          -0.18 )		$    12,644.83	➤ $    11,141.83
#170	2018-03-23	:	-2	×	APC 18 May 2018 $57.50 P	$       290.00	( $          -0.99 )		$    12,525.01	➤ $    11,022.01
#169	2018-03-22	:	-3	×	PFE 18 May 2018 $34.00 P	$       141.00	( $          -1.47 )		$    12,236.00	➤ $    10,733.00
#168	2018-03-22	:	-3	×	GPS 18 May 2018 $31.00 P	$       447.00	( $      -551.90 )	→ #180	$    12,096.47	➤ $    10,593.47
#167	2018-03-14	:	-6	×	WEN 18 May 2018 $16.00 P	$       270.00	( $          -0.25 )		$    12,201.37	➤ $    10,698.37
#166	2018-03-14	:	-2	×	STLD 18 May 2018 $46.00 P	$       410.00	( $          -0.69 )		$    11,931.62	➤ $    10,428.62
#165	2018-03-14	:	-1	×	RS 20 Apr 2018 $87.50 P	$       170.00	( $          -0.34 )		$    11,522.31	➤ $    10,019.31
#164	2018-03-14	:	-3	×	PFE 15 Jun 2018 $34.00 P	$       150.00	( $          -1.47 )		$    11,352.65	➤ $      9,849.65
#163	2018-03-14	:	10	×	NEE 20 Apr 2018 $150.00 P	$           0.00	( $   -1,055.63 )		$    11,204.12	➤ $      9,701.12
#162	2018-03-14	:	-10	×	NEE 20 Apr 2018 $155.00 P	$    2,153.00	( $          -5.70 )		$    12,259.75	➤ $    10,756.75
#161	2018-03-14	:	-2	×	KMB 17 Jan 2020 $100.00 P	$    1,503.00	( $          -0.11 )		$    10,112.45	➤ $      8,609.45
#160	2018-03-14	:	2	×	KMB 17 Jan 2020 $135.00 C	$           0.00	( $      -783.14 )		$      8,609.56	➤ $      8,609.56

key:  expired  •  closed  •  rolled  •  assigned  •  open 

Options Expiring Soon

Below I'm listing options expiring in the next two months. On expiration day, in the money options will result in options assignment, which I'd like to avoid in some cases, if possible.

April 2019:

#311	2019-02-22	:	-1	×	HSY 18 Apr 2019 $110.00 P	$ 250.00	( $ -0.79 )	→ Out of the money with a  4% safety margin
#280	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	TRV 18 Apr 2019 $140.00 C	$ 100.00	( $ -0.34 )	→ Out of the money with a  2% safety margin

May 2019:

#327	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	VLO 17 May 2019 $80.00 P	$ 224.00	( $ -0.79 )  → Out of the money with a  5% safety margin
#326	2019-03-25	:	-1	×	TIF 17 May 2019 $100.00 P	$ 220.00	( $ -0.84 )   → Out of the money with a  7% safety margin
#323	2019-02-28	:	-1	×	MSFT 17 May 2019 $100.00 P	$ 105.00	( $ -1.52 )  → Out of the money with a  20% safety margin
#275	2018-12-06	:	-1	×	ROST 17 May 2019 $100.00 C	$   85.00	( $ -1.94 )  → Out of the money with a  5% safety margin

A few options are out of the money with small margins of safety, so I'll have to monitor these carefully as the options expiration dates approach.

Concluding Remarks

My options goal in 2019 is to collect a total of $21,000 or an average of $1,750 per month.

	Total Options Income		Secured Options Income
This Month:	$  48,847		$  23,741
Last Month:	$  46,403		$  21,899
Difference:	$    2,444		$    1,842

I collected options income of $2,444 in March, for a year to date total of $6,055. This averages over $2,000 per month, so I'm now ahead of pace for 2019! 

While my options income does not yet match DivGro's dividend income, I'm hoping that will happen in the future.

After 75 months of dividend growth investment, DivGro's all-time total dividend income stands at $72,170, whereas my all-time total options income is $48,847 after less than three years of options trading.

My income goals for 2019 are to collect $25,200 in dividend income and $21,000 in options income.

Quarter-ending months (like March) are huge dividend income months, so my year to date dividend income got a nice boost this month.

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