I just can’t seem to get my rhythm in my IRA like I can in my taxable account. I stopped selling covered calls only to see my stocks pull back. Then I started to sell again when I briefly thought the market wasn’t going to rally only to find I picked great stocks. I’m going to have to stop writing covered calls again in my IRA and rely on my stock picking skills to carry me. I’m still up more than 10% in my IRA, but could be up a whole lot more. It’s spilled milk at this point. All I can do is clean it up. The list below shows what it cost me in missed profits.
# of Calls Name Missed Gains to Date
-2 BAM Oct 35 Call ($880.00)
-1 NYX Oct 70 Call ($850.00)
-1 CSCO Oct 30 Call ($100)
-1 MON Oct 70 Call ($2,140)
-2 ADBE Nov 42.5 Call ($400)
-2 HAIN Nov 30 Call ($70)
# of Calls Name Paper Gains to Date
-1 BA Oct 95 Call $350
Looking back at my post when I wrote about not selling covered calls in my IRA, I said “I made the ill-timed (and possibly still wise) decision…” I’m not changing course on the positions I have right now, but will be very hesitant to get back in with covered calls in my IRA in the near future. I’ve missed profits in my taxable account too, but at least I can use margin to continue selling more naked put options and call options there.
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