Showing posts with label FIRE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIRE. Show all posts

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Weekly Income Report: Selling cash secured put and covered call

 

Hello everyone! As we approach the end of the year, I’m sticking to my core strategy: generating consistent weekly income through Covered Calls and Cash Secured Puts. By leveraging the volatility in the market, I was able to collect a total of $484.00 in premiums this past week alone.

With a total portfolio value of approximately $82,700, this week’s activity resulted in a 0.59% weekly return, which scales to an impressive 30.43% annualized yield.


The Week’s Top Performer: NIKE ($NKE)

The standout trade this week was $NKE. I sold a single Cash Secured Put with a $61.00 strike price and walked away with $60.00 in premium. Not only was this my highest single-contract earner, but it also netted a strong 0.98% weekly return on that specific position.

My strategy remains diversified across tech, retail, and crypto-adjacent ETFs. Here is a snapshot of how the week played out:

  • Heavy TQQQ Activity: I utilized several TQQQ Puts to take advantage of price fluctuations, with returns ranging from 0.50% to 1.17% per position.

  • High Yielders: Some of my most aggressive returns came from EOSE (1.42% weekly) and HIMS (1.00% weekly).

  • The Mix: I balanced my risk by selling 11 Puts (bullish/neutral bias) and 8 Calls (neutral/bearish bias), ensuring I was collecting premium regardless of which way the individual tickers moved.

                                                    
MetricWeekly Result
Total Premium Collected$484.00
Total Capital Utilized$82,700.00
Weekly Portfolio Return0.59%
Projected Yearly Return30.43%
Out of the Money (OTM)

        18 out of 19 of my positions ended - Out of the Money.

    For my Calls (like $SOFI, $ETHA, $ETHU): The stock price ended or is currently below my strike. This is great because I keep 100% of the premium and get to keep my shares to sell calls against them again next week.

    For my Puts (like $TQQQ, $UBER, $NFLX): The stock price is safely above my strike. These are already or on track to expire worthless, letting me pocket the premium without having to use my cash to buy the shares.         

In the Money (ITM):

     I have one position that is In the Money and I got assigned it on Friday:

$NKE (NIKE) Put – Strike $61.00: With the current price at $58.71, this put was ITM by $2.29.

My Game Plan for $NKE: I’m perfectly happy being assigned here! By taking the $60 premium I collected, my "effective" cost basis for the stock drops to **$60.40**. I’ll immediately pivot to the "Wheel Strategy" and start selling Covered Calls against them to continue generating income. 

   Having 95% of my positions OTM is a fantastic result for a weekly cycle. It shows that my strike price selection is providing a solid "margin of safety" while still allowing me to capture significant yield.           

    


My 2025 Options Income Growth:

I started this journey of selling Cash Secured Puts (CSP) and Covered Calls (CC) back in June 2025, and seeing the progress visualized in this chart is a powerful reminder of what consistency can do.

When I first began in June, my income was just a small "proof of concept" starting at less than $100.00. Since then, I’ve navigated different market cycles to scale this into a significant monthly revenue stream.

The chart highlights a clear growth trajectory as I refined my strategy and likely increased my capital allocation:

After a quiet start, July saw a jump to roughly $700.00, followed by another solid increase in August to approximately $1,600.00.
Things really heated up in the fall. September income climbed to about $2,300.00, and October marked my best month ever, breaking the $3,000.00 barrier because of 5 friday's in a month. Also in September and October I sold options on risky stocks like $ETHU, $MSTR, $BMNR, etc.

Income moderated toward the end of the year, with November bringing in roughly $2,000.00 and December (so far) sitting at approximately $1,200.00. After getting assigned multiple $BMNR and $ETHU, I learned my lessons. Now I am not chasing the yields. I am selling options on good quality stocks which are not so overpriced.
  

Sunday, June 29, 2025

In June, 36 companies increased and 3 companies cut its dividends. The list of companies with their increase, growth year, and 5 years dividend CAGR is as follows

In June, 36 companies increased and 3 companies cut its dividends. The list of companies with their increase, growth year, and 5 years dividend CAGR is as follows



Notable companies that increased their dividends in June.
1. Target Corporation (TGT)
  • Dividend Increase: Target announced a 1.8% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from $1.12 to $1.14 per share, effective for the dividend payable on September 10, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 20, 2025. This marks the 54th consecutive year of dividend growth, solidifying Target’s status as a Dividend King (a company with 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases).
  • Context: Target’s first-quarter fiscal 2025 dividend payout totaled $510 million, slightly up from $508 million the previous year, reflecting its commitment to consistent shareholder returns. The company has paid dividends every quarter since October 1967, totaling 232 consecutive payments.
  • Financial Health: The modest increase aligns with Target’s strong cash flow and focus on balancing shareholder returns with investments in its retail operations.

2. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)
  • Dividend Increase: Caterpillar raised its quarterly dividend by 7% in June 2025, from $1.41 to $1.51 per share, payable on August 20, 2025, to shareholders of record as of July 21, 2025. This marks 31 consecutive years of dividend increases, earning Caterpillar Dividend Aristocrat status (25+ years of increases).
  • Context: The company also added $20 billion to its stock buyback program, bringing the total to $21.8 billion, signaling confidence in its financial stability. Caterpillar has paid dividends without interruption since 1933. The annual dividend of $6.04 per share yields approximately 1.7%.
  • Financial Health: As the largest U.S. machinery stock by market cap, Caterpillar’s consistent dividend growth is supported by strong free cash flow, which it uses primarily for dividends and buybacks.

3. The Kroger Co. (KR)
  • Dividend Increase: Kroger approved a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from 32 cents to 35 cents per share, resulting in an annual dividend of $1.40 per share. The next quarterly dividend is payable on September 1, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2025. This marks the 19th consecutive year of dividend increases since reinstating dividends in 2006.
  • Context: Over the past 19 years, Kroger’s dividend has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 13%. The company expects adjusted free cash flow of $2.8 billion to $3 billion for fiscal 2025, supporting its capital allocation strategy focused on sustainable growth and shareholder returns.
  • Financial Health: Despite challenges like the blocked Albertsons merger, Kroger’s strong operating performance and cash flow generation underpin its ability to sustain dividend growth.

4. UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
  • Dividend Increase: No specific information is available from the provided sources regarding a recent dividend increase for UnitedHealth Group in 2025. However, UnitedHealth Group is known for consistent dividend growth, having increased its dividend annually for over a decade as a Dividend Aristocrat.
  • Context: UnitedHealth Group was mentioned in market updates, but no explicit mention of a 2025 dividend increase was found. Investors should check the company’s investor relations page or recent press releases for the latest dividend announcements.
  • Financial Health: As a leading health insurer, UnitedHealth Group generates robust cash flows, supporting its dividend policy, though specific 2025 data is unavailable here.

5. General Mills Inc. (GIS)
  • Dividend Increase: No specific 2025 dividend increase is detailed in the provided sources. However, historical data indicates General Mills has a strong dividend track record, with a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share noted in 2022, yielding approximately 2.85% at the time.
  • Context: General Mills has consistently paid dividends and raised them over time, supported by its stable consumer staples business. The company raised its fiscal 2023 guidance, reflecting solid pricing power and margins, which likely supports ongoing dividend growth.
  • Financial Health: General Mills’ ability to raise prices to offset inflation and its acquisition of Blue Buffalo pet food bolster its cash flow, but investors should verify recent dividend announcements for 2025.

6. Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI)
  • Dividend Increase: Darden Restaurants increased its quarterly dividend by 6.9%, from $1.31 to $1.40 per share, announced in 2024 and continuing into 2025.
  • Context: Darden, which operates chains like Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, also authorized a $1 billion stock buyback program in June 2025. Fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter results showed 11% year-over-year sales growth (partly due to the 2024 acquisition of Chuy’s Tex-Mex) and a 9% increase in non-GAAP net income to over $400 million. Same-restaurant sales rose nearly 5%.
  • Financial Health: Darden’s strong sales growth and profitability support its dividend increase and buyback program, with fiscal 2026 guidance projecting 7-8% total sales growth.

7. FedEx Corporation (FDX)
  • Dividend Increase: No specific information on a 2025 dividend increase is available from the provided sources. FedEx is noted as a tenant in Realty Income’s portfolio, indicating its operational stability, but no recent dividend announcements are cited.
  • Context: FedEx has a history of paying dividends, and its inclusion in stable REIT portfolios suggests financial reliability. Investors should check FedEx’s investor relations page for updates on dividend actions in 2025.
  • Financial Health: FedEx’s cash flow from logistics operations supports its dividend, but without specific data, no recent increase can be confirmed.

8. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)
  • Dividend Increase: No specific 2025 dividend increase is mentioned in the provided sources. Delta is one of only two U.S. passenger airlines with a market cap over $5 billion that pays a dividend, but no recent increase is detailed.
  • Context: Analysts are bullish on Delta, with a consensus price target implying over 30% upside, but dividend-specific updates are absent. Delta reinstated its dividend in 2023 after suspending it during the pandemic, and it has been paying dividends since.
  • Financial Health: Delta’s operational recovery and analyst optimism suggest potential for future dividend increases, but investors should verify recent announcements.

9. W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC)
  • Dividend Increase: No specific 2025 dividend increase is mentioned in the provided sources. W. P. Carey, a real estate investment trust (REIT), is known for consistent dividend payments, often with modest increases due to its REIT structure requiring high payout ratios.
  • Context: W. P. Carey’s diversified commercial real estate portfolio generates stable cash flows, supporting its dividend. However, no recent increase is documented in the provided data. Investors should check the company’s investor relations page for 2025 updates.
  • Financial Health: As a REIT, W. P. Carey prioritizes dividend payments, and its long-term lease structures provide predictable income, but specific 2025 dividend actions are unavailable here.