I Just Made This “10% Trade” with Target (TGT)

[stextbox id=”info”]Please keep in mind that these “10% Trade” alerts are for information purposes only. We’re not registered financial advisors and these aren’t specific trade recommendations for you as an individual. Each of our readers have different financial situations, risk tolerance, goals, time frames, etc. The ideas we publish are simply ideas that we feel fit our specific needs and that we’re personally making in our own portfolios. You should also be aware that some of the trade details (specifically stock prices and options premiums) are certain to change from the time we make our trade to the time you’re alerted about it. So please don’t attempt to make this “10% Trade” yourself without first doing your own due diligence and research.[/stextbox]

A “10% Trade” can be a safe way to boost your income on some of the best companies in the world.

As a refresher, a “10% Trade” is a conservative income-oriented trade that involves selling either a covered call or a cash-secured put on a reasonably-priced, high-quality dividend growth stock.

Here’s where it gets neat…

[hana-code-insert name=’adsense-article’ /]When you sell a cash-secured put, you can collect income for simply agreeing to buy a stock you like at a discount to what it’s currently trading for.

And when you sell a covered call, you can collect income for simply agreeing to sell a stock you already own at a higher price than what you bought it for.

So this strategy can pay you instant income while helping you buy low and sell high.

If you’re working with a high-quality dividend growth stock that you think is trading at a reasonable price, you may be looking at a low-risk opportunity to generate above average income.

Consider the “10% Trade” I just made with Target (TGT), a Dividend Champion that’s pulled back roughly 17% over the past two months…

Opportunity to Capture a 22.9% to 25.8% Annualized Yield from Target
Yesterday I bought 100 shares of TGT for $67.72 per share and simultaneously “sold to open” one July 22, $68.00 covered call for $1.66 per share.

With this in mind, there are likely two ways this trade will work out — and they both spell at least double-digit annualized yields on my purchase price…

"10% Trade" with Target (TGT)

Scenario #1: Target stays under $68.00 by July 22
If Target stays under $68.00 by July 22, I’ll get to keep my 100 shares.

In the process I’ll also have received $166.00 in covered call income ($1.66 x 100 shares).

The covered call income — known as a “premium” in the options world — was collected instantly yesterday. It was deposited in the account where I made the trade, which is my 401(k) retirement account.

At the end of the day, if “Scenario 1” plays out I’ll be looking at $157.25 in profit after commissions and fees.

On a percentage basis, I received an instant 2.5% yield for selling the covered call ($1.66 / $67.72).

When I subtract out the commissions and fees I’m looking at a 2.3% yield in 37 days, which works out to a 22.9% annualized yield.

Scenario #2: Target climbs over $68.00 by July 22
If Target climbs over $68.00 by July 22 my 100 shares will get sold (“called away”) at $68.00 per share.

Like “Scenario 1”, I get to keep the $166 in covered call income ($1.66 x 100 shares)… but I’ll also generate $28 in capital gains ($0.28 X 100).

In this scenario, after commissions and fees I’ll be looking at a $177.06 profit.

From a percentage standpoint, this “10% Trade” will deliver an instant 2.5% yield for selling the covered call ($1.66 / $67.72) and a 0.4% return from capital gains ($0.28 / $67.72).

After subtracting out the commissions and fees, I’m looking at a 2.6% total return in 37 days.

That works out to a 25.8% annualized yield from Target. Not bad, considering the stock’s “regular” yield is 3.6%.

Greg Patrick
TradesOfTheDay.com

P.S. I realize the typical financial advisor may think it’s crazy to trade individual stocks in a retirement account… no matter how safe the stocks may appear. And in many cases they’re probably right — especially if you’re not properly diversified and you’re heavily dependent on the income from this account. So I urge you not to blindly follow my lead today without first speaking to a professional advisor or doing your own due diligence and research. In addition, I’m not a tax advisor and I don’t claim to be… so please consult a professional for any tax related questions you have.

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