In 2002 Investment Enhancing Systems, Inc. began publishing a Conservative "Stocks-to-Consider" list. Each month on expiration weekend (the third weekend of the month) we run the Covered Call Analyzer using our default parameters and publish a list of the first ten (10) stock/call buy/writes that are identified by the Analyzer.  In 2008 we increased the list to twenty (20) selections to give our subscribers a bigger choice to consider. We have done this with education in mind. Our objective is to help the investor understand how to use covered calls and what to do if the stock does not get called or tanks. We publish our results here. Many of our customers run the Analyzer, with their own parameters and make their own selections, or select stock/call combinations from our list.  We assumed that there is $5,000 for the purchase of each stock listed (purchased in lots of 100 shares).  In some cases we spend much less to purchase the stock. If the stock costs $35.00 we can only buy 100 shares and the cost is only $3500 plus commissions.

Our objective is to have the stock called in the next month, but that doesn't always happen.  It then becomes necessary to decide whether to sell more calls for the next month, hold or sell out.  We establish a get-out price at -15% and sell the stock if it drops 15% below our purchase price. Because the stock purchased is "covered" by the sold calls, we must buy back the call contracts before selling the stock at the get-out price. The buy-back of the calls is usually at a much lower price than what they were originally sold for, producing some premium against the drop in stock price. We strongly recommend establishing a get-out price and then sticking to it.  

Results for each month are determined by calculating:

         " Total Dollar Return when the Stock is Called" (call income [not at risk] plus stock price appreciation to strike price, including commission effects).

         " Change in Value of Stocks Still Held" (value of stocks not reaching strike price plus call income, including commission effects)

There are good months and bad months, but overall for the year, the Covered Call Analyzer produces good returns.  Results, shown in the above table, are updated each month on expiration weekend until all positions are closed out.  Click on a month to see the detail of how each "Stock-to-Consider" was handled. Remember, PATIENCE pays off. 

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