Our Bank of America (BAC) and General Motors (GM) puts are deep in the money, and I know many of you have already been assigned shares. The stocks have traded lower with the broader market over the past three weeks, although both are down more than the S&P 500 during that time.
When factoring in our net debits on the trades, our cost basis is significantly above the current share price for both stocks. I know it’s never fun to see red on your brokerage screen. But we are sticking with these stocks as long-term positions.
BAC is seriously undervalued. I believe this is due in part to its lower dividend yield compared with its peers and to uncertainty about how Merrill Lynch’s trading operations will fare. I believe volatility in the bond market will lead to an upside surprise from Merrill when Bank of America announces earnings on Oct. 17. This, in turn, could offset reductions in revenue from the dramatic falloff in home mortgage refinancings.
GM has been trading based on short-term revenue and profit estimates, making it one of the cheapest — and admittedly contrarian — stocks in the S&P 500. By this time next year, I expect supply chain issues to be in the rearview mirror. And I think the company’s electric vehicle output could overtake that of Tesla (TSLA) by early 2024.
We will continue to trade these core stocks by selling calls against our shares next week.
BAC Sep Week Five (9/30) 34 Put
Current Stock Price: $30.58
Net Debit: $7.24
Action: Accept shares
Cost Basis: $41.24
Potential Rate of Return: I am targeting breakeven for this position
GM Sep Week Five (9/30) 39 Put
Current Stock Price: $32.88
Net Debit: $9.29
Action: Accept shares
Cost Basis: $48.29
Potential Rate of Return: I am targeting breakeven for this position