Second November $RUT Credit Call spread adjustment

Well, another tough day for my November positions. I had to close the RUT 1180/1185 Credit Call spread as it reached the 30% probability of being in the money level.

Closed $RUT1180/1185 CCS for loss. Sold $SPX 2050/2060 for 1.05 credit. All Nov. options.
— The Lazy Trader (@lazytrading) October 30, 2014

Invest and retire before you die - RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (REI.UN.TO)

Have you ever wondered how an investment in a boring, blue chip company that pays dividends to share holders and periodically grows those dividends performs over long periods of time?

Welcome to the Invest and retire before you die series, where I explore the merits of long term investments in Canadian blue chip companies that pay and grow their dividends every year. I have seen these studies for American companies in the past and figured it would be nice for people to find something equivalent for Canadian ones. Notice that many Canadian blue chips companies are also listed in American exchanges and are therefore easily available to US investors.

If you are interested in other companies already discussed as part of this series, you can check out:
Invest and retire before you die - The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)
Invest and retire before you die - Emera Inc (EMA)

November 2014, RUT Credit Call Spread adjustment

Today I had to make an adjustment to my infamous RUT 1150/1160 Credit Call spread.

Closed $RUT 1150/1160 CCs for 3.30 debit (Initially received 1.00 credit). Sold 1180/1185 CCs for 0.55 credit
— The Lazy Trader (@lazytrading) October 28, 2014

Invest and retire before you die - Emera Inc (EMA)

Have you ever wondered how an investment in a boring, blue chip company that pays dividends to share holders and periodically grows those dividends performs over long periods of time?

Welcome to the Invest and retire before you die series, where I explore the merits of long term investments in Canadian blue chip companies that pay and grow their dividends every year. I have seen these studies for American companies in the past and figured it would be nice for people to find something equivalent for Canadian ones. Notice that many Canadian blue chips companies are also listed in American exchanges and are therefore easily available to US investors.

If you are interested in other companies already discussed as part of this series, you can check out:
Invest and retire before you die - The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

Weekend Portfolio Analysis (October 25, 2014)

We had an exceptionally strong week in the markets with SPX going from 1885.62 to 1964.58 for a +4.2% gain. I don't know how this week ranks in the entire history of the markets, but it is the strongest week I've ever reflected in my three years doing the Weekend Portfolio Analysis.

I made two trades in my options trading portfolio. First, on Tuesday I closed the RUT November 910/920 Credit Put spread for a profit. This trade was originated as an adjustment to an October Iron Condor. Closing the spread allowed me to remove downside exposure in the portfolio and it also turned the whole October Iron Condor into a profitable play, adjustment costs included. Then on Friday I entered an SPX December 1750/1760/2070/2080 Iron Condor in what should be a comfortable position for at least a couple of weeks.

December 2014 SPX Iron Condor

Today I entered the first trade of the December 2014 monthly options expiration cycle:

Time to start playing offense again. Sold $SPX 1750/1760/2070/2080 December Iron Condor. Collected 1.70 credit.
— The Lazy Trader (@lazytrading) October 24, 2014

Invest and retire before you die - The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

Have you ever wondered how an investment in a boring, blue chip company that pays dividends to share holders and periodically grows those dividends performs over long periods of time?

Welcome to the Invest and retire before you die series, where I explore the merits of long term investments in Canadian blue chip companies that pay and grow their dividends every year. I have seen these studies for American companies in the past and figured it would be nice for people to find something equivalent for Canadian ones. Notice that many Canadian blue chips companies are also listed in American exchanges and are therefore easily available to US investors.