Many investors struggle to comprehend the intricacies of options trading. Consequently, put and call trading patterns are often cited as explanations for stock market fluctuations. The more complex the stock market appears, the more true this sentiment becomes.
In recent times, market observers have highlighted a significant increase in bullish call volume. This surge supposedly indicates that institutional investors aggressively purchased stocks, thus implying the end of the S&P 500 index’s October slump. On the other hand, defensive put buying has also been prevalent, suggesting that amateur investors wrongly hedged their stocks instead of making purchases.
However, our analysis delves into a more nuanced interpretation. The surge in call buying signifies that the stock rally caught many bearish investors off guard. To protect themselves from potential losses resulting from a significant market shift, they opted to buy calls.
Conversely, the increase in put trading indicates that both large and small investors took advantage of the implied volatility collapse accompanying the stock rally. By hedging their positions, they acted prudently to safeguard against a temporary rally. Although the put buying occurred in small batches of contracts, this is a common practice implemented by trading desks to facilitate ease of execution.
Given the current global chaos, it is prudent for investors to adopt conservative strategies. It is unwise to pursue risky opportunities during a period when major conflicts could potentially erupt in the Middle East, Europe, and even Asia.
Drawing attention to the actions of Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most consistently successful investors, we find that he holds a significant amount of cash. This demonstrates his belief that there are limited worthwhile investment options available. While less sensationalist than options-trading analysis, this fact holds paramount importance.
While pundits engage in debates about whether or not the bull market has resumed, now is an opportune moment for you to minimize your tax liability.
The Internal Revenue Service offers investors an annual opportunity to employ a strategy that allows them to realize investment losses without relinquishing control of their stock positions. For individuals who purchased stocks at higher prices, resulting in losses, this strategy proves vital. By selling a losing stock position and waiting 31 days before repurchasing an equivalent number of shares, investors can utilize these losses to offset gains in other areas of their portfolio.
The Double-Up Strategy: A Twist for Investors
An Example with Bank of America (BAC)
Let’s take a closer look at Bank of America (BAC), a long-time favorite among investors. While the stock has experienced a 15% decline this year, the S&P 500 has seen a 15% gain.
Investors have concerns about the potential negative impact of higher interest rates on the bank’s profitability. Despite these risks, Bank of America is well managed and avoids taking significant risks. Notably, even Warren Buffett – an investor widely quoted but seldom imitated – holds a significant amount of BofA stock.
For investors who bought BofA at higher prices in the past, here’s an alternative approach. Instead of holding onto their shares, they can sell the stock and buy an equivalent number of call options to replace their position.
The Process and the Deadline
At present, BofA’s stock is priced at $28. To execute this strategy, investors can sell their stock and wait for the 30-day wash-sale period to elapse. It’s crucial to abide by this timeline because if you replace the BofA stock with more shares or calls within 30 days, the IRS won’t allow you to realize any tax loss. For this year, the deadline to implement this strategy is November 28.
The Advice from Oppenheimer
Michael Schwartz, Oppenheimer’s chief options strategist, offers guidance to his firm’s clients. He suggests purchasing BofA’s January $28 calls that expire in 2025 for approximately $3.75. If the stock reaches $38 by expiration, the call will be worth $10.
By opting for calls instead of stock, investors can save money that can then be allocated to a short-term U.S. Treasury bond fund with a yield of around 5% or possibly even more. Schwartz highlights the uniqueness of this opportunity, where investors can earn returns on their cash without missing out on a stock’s potential upside.
A Reminder: Endurance and Risk Management
This double-up strategy might not capture the attention of those seeking glamorous options wizardry, as it emphasizes enduring and effectively managing risks. Successful investing is not just about sounding clever, but also about staying resilient.
So, if you’re considering making a change to your stock positions, think outside the box and explore alternative strategies that align with your investment goals.