eBay Inc. (EBAY)

Update 4/20/2017: EBAY gapped to the downside after earnings were published but remained within the profit zone. I exited at 25% of maximum potential profit.

Shares declined by 4.1% over one day, or a -1,500% annual rate. The options position produced a +33.3% yield on debit for a +12,167% annual rate.

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EBAY publishes earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the APR monthlies options, which trades for the last time two days hence, on April 21.

Implied volatility stands at 36%, which is 2.5 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

EBAY’s IV stands in the 75th percentile of its annual range and the 71st percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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Qualcom Inc. (QCOM)

Update 4/20/2017: QCOM declined after earnings were published but remained well within the zone of profitability. I exited at 45.6% of maximum potential profit.

Shares declined by 1.8% over one day, or a -640% annual rate. The options position produced an 84.0% yield on debit for a +30,649% annual rate.

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QCOM publishes earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the APR monthlies options, which trades for the last time two days hence, on April 21.

Implied volatility stands at 34%, which is 2.4 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

QCOM’s IV stands in the 85th percentile of its annual range and at the top of its most recent broad movement.

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4/19 – 2:30 p.m. New York time

I have entered three new positions today: CSX, EBAY and QCOM. The last symbol, QCOM, was added as a prospect shortly before the analysis; the new tactic I’m trying, described below, allowed the use of a better options grid.

I also exited three symbols, below my target of 25% of maximum potential earnings but still with good returns, in order to free up cash in my account for the trades remaining this week.

The exits were C, EWZ and WFC.

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International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)

Update 5/15/2017: IBM gapped down sharply immediately after earnings were published and did it again 12 trading days later, placing the position squarely in the loss territory. As expiration approached I exited for a $14.93 debit.

Shares declined by 11.4% over 27 days, or a -154% annual rate. The options position produced a 52.2% loss on debit for a -706% annual rate.

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IBM publishes earnings on Tuesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the MAY series of options, which trades for the last time 31 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 21%, which is 1.5 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

IBM’s IV stands in the 46th percentile of its annual range and the 96th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

Update 5/1/2017: ABT rose over four days after earnings were published and then, in retracing the decline, reached my target price. I exited at 25.2% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net rise of 0.08% over 13 days, or a +2.3% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.6% yield on debit for a +944% annual rate. 

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ABT publishes earnings on Wednesday before the opening bell.

I shall use the MAY series of options, which trades for the last time 31 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 21%, which is 1.4 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

ABT’s IV stands in the 38th percentile of its annual range and the 72nd percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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4/18 – 3:25 p.m. New York time

I entered ew positions on ABT and IBM. My attempt to exit HOG has not been filled and seems unlikely to be filled before the closing bell. I shall leave it alive for the rest of the trading day and update if it goes through.

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Regions Financial Corp. (RF)

Update 4/25/2017: RF whipsawed for a slight decline after earnings were published and then declined the day thereafter, then reversed to the upside, allowing at exit at my target of 25% of maximum potential profit. 

Shares rose by 0.7% over eight days, or a +31% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.3% yield on debit for a +1,521% annual rate.

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RF publishes earnings on Tuesday before the opening bell.

I shall use the MAY series of options, which trades for the last time 32 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 36%, which is 2.4 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

RF’s IV stands in the 35th percentile of its annual range and the 96th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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Netflix Inc. (NFLX)

NFLX publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use the MAY series of options, which trades for the last time 32 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 43%, which is 2.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

NFLX’s IV stands in the 48th percentile of its annual range and the 95th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL)

Update 4/25/2017: UAL whipsawed with a decline after earnings were published, and then rose to profitability. I exited at my target, 25% of maximum potential profit.

Shares rose by 1.6% over eight days, or a +71% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.4% yield on debit for a +1,525% annual rate.

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UAL publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use the MAY series of options, which trades for the last time 32 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 35%, which is 2.3 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

UAL’s IV stands in the 23rd percentile of its annual range and the 67th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG)

Update 4/26/2017:

HOG declined sharply after earnings were published and then retained sufficient ground to the upside that, along with declining implied volatility and time decay, allowed it to become profitable. I exited at my target price of 25% of maximum potential profit.

Shares declined by 4.5% over nine days, or a -184% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.1% yield on debit for a +1,344% annual rate

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HOG publishes earnings on Tuesday before the opening bell.

I shall use the MAY series of options, which trades for the last time 32 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 40%, which is 2.6 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

HOG’s IV stands in the 46th percentile of its annual range and the 95th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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