The FinancialContent Network     SocialPicks Community   |   MarketMinute Monitor   |   MarketMinute Market Updates   |   MarketMinute Stock News
SocialPicks
   Sign Up   |   Log In   |   What is SocialPicks?     
6 pts

Opinion on  Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PARD)     Sector: Healthcare  >  Industry: Biotechnology & Drugs
Biotech Stocks - Beware of The Covered Call Trap

Nov 25, 2009 11:22 PM GMT


Years ago when I worked in retail brokerage, I knew a broker at another firm, who specialized in pitching covered call plays. He would explain to clients how with covered calls you take your profits upfront and the premium you just collected gives you a nice cushion to the downside. Say you buy stock ABC at $10 and sell the $10.00 strike calls for next month at $2.00. If the stock price at expiration is at or above $10, your calls are assigned at $10 - you break even on the stock, and you keep your $2 premium for each of the calls, for a 20% profit. Even if ABC is down a bit, say at $9.50 at expiration, you still make money. The calls expire worthless, you are down $.50 on your ABC, but you still have your $2.00 from the call you sold, so your profit is $1.50 and you get to sell the calls against your ABC again next month. The only way you can lose money is if the stock is down more than the $2.00 per share you collected for each call. My fellow broker would promise clients to minimize a potential loss by putting a stop loss order for ABC at $9.00 and buy the depreciated calls back if the stock ever dropped to that level.

Sounds like a good plan right ? I mean, how can you lose ? With the calls yielding 15% or 20% per month and minimum downside risk, this broker looked like a market genius signing up several new clients every day. Unfortunately, back then and to this day, there is no free lunch in the market and stocks that have high-yield calls are always the stocks with very high price volatility. The broker would pick the stocks with the most expensive calls, not bothering with what the companies actually did, because he "knew" he can always sell them if the price dropped 5-10%. By this method, his clients often ended up owning biotech stocks, which as an industry are not only some of the most volatile, but the absolute worse for selling covered calls against.

I know of no other industry, where a single announcement could literally make or break a company. An FDA decision or the results of a pivotal experimental drug study routinely cause 50% moves in either direction. And since these announcements are usually made pre-market or after the market close, your $9 stop loss order will kick in when the market opens the next day, and your stock is already down from $10 to $5. Of course, you have to buy the calls back first before you sell your ABC at $5, otherwise you'd have the calls naked. Hopefully by the time you close your call position, the stock ABC has not dropped further down to $4. Yes you still have $2 profit on the call, but you just lost $6 on the stock, so overall you're down $4 or 40%. Of course if you had bought ABC on margin, you just lost 80% of your investment.

Selling covered calls against biotech stocks was a recipe for disaster then and it remains so today. Below are 3 recent examples, that devastated the covered call sellers.

Take a look at Poniard (PARD) which was trading around $7.00 all day on October 27. The December $7.50 calls were selling at $2.50. The calls yielded 36% over less than 2 months !!!! However this supposed boon for covered call sellers, turned into a bust when PARD opened at $1.77 on November 16th (down from $7.58 at the close of the previous day). The $2.50 call premiums collected, were small consolation for the $5.23 ($7.00 - $1.77) loss on the stock.

Or let's say you bought Osiris (OSIR) at $14.50 on September 02, and sold the Sept $15 calls for $2.50. Wow, that's 17% yield in 2 weeks ! However, just 6 day later, on September 8, OSIR opened at $7.40....That's a $7.10 loss on the stock (less the $2.50 you made on the calls) a loss of $4.60 or 32%.

And here is another - GTX Inc (GTXI) traded around $12.50 on September 21. One of the bests calls to sell was the November $15.00 which was selling for $2.80. Just 10 days later, the stock opened at $5.80 on November 2nd, a $6.70 loss on the equity for those who bought the stock at $12.50 (less their profit of $2.80 on the call of course).

In the above examples I have quoted the opening prices the days the stocks collapsed as these were not gradual declines over several days giving investor a chance to get out, but overnight changes of value, that could not be avoided even if you had a stop loss order in place or were watching every tick in the price during market hours.

Covered calls is a conservative strategy and in fact is the only use of options allowed in IRA accounts, but could bring disaster when not used wisely. Limit your covered call selling only to blue chip companies, that you already own. These calls will yield 1-2%, but stock price declines tend to be small and gradual, giving you plenty of time to take a small loss and get out. Don't be tempted by the expensive calls of risky companies, and NEVER sell covered calls on Biotechs.

Disclosure: The author purchased $2.50 calls on PARD after it collapsed to its current levels.


PARD:  This call was made on 11/25/09 @ $2.1
Rating:   Positive   $2.1 (11/25/09)
Gain/Loss:   n/a in 916 days


Comments (19)

Add Comment

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
lehua777   N/A     1 point   commented 748 days ago reply

Guess is an American name-brand clothing line. Nowadays, Guess also markets other fashion accessories besides clothes, such as Replica Watches are a relatively new brand in the watch industry and design watches specifically for men. It is a Fake Watches brand which is created by Italo Fontana who is also the man behind the iconic Rolex Watches which are highly renowned in the industry. With his reputation,the Rolex Watches are sured to be welcomed. Replica rolex watches have an original and unique design that completely separates them from other Hublot Watches. From a size perspective, the Italian made Fake rolex watches are significantly bigger with the sizes varying and ranging from the K25 being 45 mm up to the substantially largerK29 Breitling Watches which is 53 mm. What is also truly unique about Bvlgari Watches from an aesthetic angle is that they have a notable three dimensional deign with large and chunky styling, graphite detailing with layered effects that really adds depth to the Burberry Watches and makes a real statement on the wrist. The Longines Watches are noticed for being fashion conscience.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
tyl789   N/A     1 point   commented 711 days ago reply

ed hardy Women's jeans So viel aufzubauen“ und ?so viel zu helfen“ g?be es. Gleichzeitig schl?gt den Strategen bei ABC und im Weissen Haus das Herz ein wenig h?her. Ihre Rechnung ed hardy kids ist aufgegangen, denn die Ausstrahlung im November verspricht ein voller Erfolg für beide Seiten zu werden. Amerika darf noch einmal ein bags
ed hardy caps bisschen trauern, hoffen, staunen und danken. Das Gemeindezentrum in Biloxi wird in neuem Glanz erstrahlen cheap ed hardy belts und Laura Bush wahrscheinlich h?chstpers?nlich die Schlüsselübergabe durchführen. Niemand wird sich dann noch daran erinnern, dass die Regie unmittelbar vor der Aufzeichnung der Show das wartende Volk rüde ed hardy belts ermahnte, nicht einfach dumm herumzustehen,

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
brandofshoes   N/A     1 point   commented 699 days ago reply

.MBT Chapa Shoes very similar to push often wear shoes,the MBT Chapa could distribut the body weight.also the Puma Easy Rider is you choise,Puma Easy Rider is designed to athletes and sports.Puma Drift Cat improve the athlete and postal recycling core muscles and balance. Puma Drift Cat is good.And Puma Voltaic also increase the absorption of various styles,Puma Voltaic provide joint shapes and colors.what is the sport shoes you may want,the Puma Tennis Shoes is you first choise.I think Puma Tennis Shoes will give you a good impression.Does Nike 6.0 Shoes is most useful when you are working or wearing? Yes Nike 6.0 Shoes is a good choice.And Asics Mexico 66 usually be ignored. the Asics Mexico 66 is a good shoes.


the MBT Women's Shoes is also great for burning more calories than walking alone.we think the MBT Women's Shoes is great just like the The mbt sandals. People think the mbt sandals has significant effect on aspects of easing pains.The Nike 6.0 have good effects to us. This Nike 6.0 you maywant wear in every step of the way.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
utopia   N/A     1 point   commented 698 days ago reply

utopia
Cheap Gucci Shoes can protect people’s eyes during going out when the sun is very dazzling.They are an Nike Air Jordan classic, keeping the same exacting standards of craftsmanship since its founding. Cheap Cheap MBT Shoes Sunglasses would feature the nike dunk logo, style name, number and color inside the ear piece or the arms. The fashionistas are realizing the brand value of Michael Jordan Shoes that prides itself of offering fine Coach Handbags and detailed workmanship in all its creations including Nike Air Jordan.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
qq   N/A     1 point   commented 698 days ago reply

Don't be fooled by cheap street replica handbag. Ours have the look, touch and even the smell of the real deal !gucci has been a household name for ages and gained increased popularity following the wildly popular hit Sex and the City.
Get top quality fashion burberry eyeglasses that suit your mood.

***1

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
yuyan   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

cheap ed hardy Women's hoodies
ed hardy jeans
ed hardy Women's jeans
cheap ed hardy jeans
cheap ed hardy Womens jeans
ed hardy shoes
ed hardy womens shoes
cheap ed hardy shoes
cheap ed hardy womens shoes

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
haven123   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

Tom Penny and Antwian Dixon. Apart from a large fan base compromising skateboarders, supra vaider high tophas also aught the attention of the music industries big names such as Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Lil Wayne.supra vaider black high boots, it is the main creative recreation sneakers teal we push in our online shop these days.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
haven123   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

Check out our new models, you can have your own Timberland boots mailed right to your door a few seconds from now. What are you waiting for? timberland Shoes. Timberland Premium boots were created closely and carefully designed to provide its wearer with comfort and protection necessary for outdoor activities.they continuecheap
timberland shoes
to adjust how and with what materials boots are made.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
rone00   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

Please read all the Ed hardy shoes, try to ask sales staff for assistance. Often, a seller a question or comment that may be made for the selection of other wonderful Courtfallistic shoe. A Ed hardy sneakers for tennis shoes air max men called men 1.3 men. NuncaX Tire a tiptoe to support the idea of looking at how they have used for tennis shoes. The Ed hardy mens shoes are flat surfaces that are on the table, which is connected to a hard disk is a thin layer of plastic handle.A half inch and two inches in diameter. The Ed hardy shoes for men can also prevent problems of injuries to leg and knee with extra padding and support.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
rone00   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

Walking down any hood irrespective of the season, the number of abercrombie fitch jacket worn by the youthful American generation will state in no lean terms that abercrombie outerwear is king of the streets. With its appealing tattoo design the abercrombie and fitch mens line stands unique as the one brand every American youth can identify with; youths here referring to teenagers as well as the early forty's hot bloods. Buy the lowest price abercrombie and fitch jacket on our shop store online, The most profits you will get from here. Everything here is possible, whatever the largest inventory, the lasting quality, the best price, the enthusiastic sevice.I bet here will be the best place you choose.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
dg365   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

Dolce & Gabbana is another in a long line of famous fashion houses by way of Italy. For a country barely larger than the state of California, an overwhelmingly large percentage of the world's high-end fashion is a result of the boot-shaped land mass. The fashion conglomerate takes its name from the owners: dolce gabbana shoes online . The brand is relatively new in comparison to other fashion lines out there, getting their start in the 1980s and experiencing the height of their success only a few short years later. dolce gabbana sale have consistently earned high praise for being wholly original in a world overrun with imitation. Their dark colored animal prints and cutting-edge design style was said to be inspired by classical Italian movies. The success of their women's line quickly prompted the duo to create a men's wear line. Although the menswear doesn't receive the notoriety of the women's line, it's still one of the most popular names in terms of men's high fashion.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
johnmia   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

In this year,gucci shoes are hot sell,Special gucci mens shoes and gucci moccasins shoes, Gucci technology has been established as a market
leader in high end shoes are known.strange is that their gucci low top sneakers shoes are all sorts of measures for the consumer-choice’ve. Any brand may be more concerned about what kind of shoes is often the consumer appeal of leading brands in the market.maybe cheap gucci womens shoes, gucci sneakers collection and discount gucci boots are best for you!you can order new gucci man shoe,buy gucci sneakers and other style official gucci sneakers.There are many kinds of gucci sneaker,maybe you can new gucci footwear ,because it is hot sale in this year.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
johnmia   N/A     1 point   commented 697 days ago reply

In this year,Shox TL3 are hot sell,Special and Nike Shox R4, Nike technology has been established as a
market leader in high-end shoes are known.strange is that their Shox Sneakers shoes are all sorts of measures for the consumer-choice’ve. Any brand may be more concerned about what kind of shoes is often the consumer appeal of leading brands in the market.maybe buy air yeezy online,Red Air Yeezy and Air Force 1 are best for you!
you can order new cheap air
force 1 shoes
,Air Force One Shoes Release and other style Cheap Air Force 1.There are many kinds of Women Air Force One Shoes,maybe you can Nike Air Force 1 High,because it is hot sale in this year.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
ozipek   N/A     1 point   commented 417 days ago reply

biber hapı | Maurers | zayıflama | Lw6090 | altın çilek | Ozon Yağı | Red Pepper | fx15 | radian | Tengda Zayıflama Hapı | Tengda Kullanımı | Tengda Kullanıcı Yorumları | Tengda Sipariş | Tengda Hakkında | Tengda İçindekiler | Tengda Etkileri | Tengda Yan Etkileri | Maurers | Maurers Kullanımı | Maurers Kullanıcı Yorumları | Maurers Sipariş | Maurers Hakkında | Maurers Zayıflama Hapı | Maurers İçindekiler | Maurers Etkileri | Maurers Yan Etkileri |

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
kllkk   N/A     1 point   commented 309 days ago reply

chanel which are the new arrived in our website that seems to be extrem popular in this winter as well as these excellent design chanel purses. In most of the chanel online store and the chanel shoes that you can find the chanel bags. chanel handbags that also considered as luxury bag and come at high price. The high quality of these chanel products that always sold well in the market. Due to the fact that the chanel design the products with unique styles and products. However Chanel also famous for the Chanel Jewelry and discount chanel . Various chanel products that you can find in out website. So just come here and get the new design chanel watches .

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
treetony98   N/A     1 point   commented 227 days ago reply

The favourite highlights for brown hair provided by method of the attractiveness clip on hair extensions is tresses extension which is often actually defined as a surgical procedure of adding weave hair to natural tresses to improve the tresses count as well as give a natural look to it. The human hair extensions have been demonstrated to final for just one or 2 months and hence really wants to be re-done carrying out a stipulated time.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
sd   N/A     1 point   commented 206 days ago reply

New jordans coming to jordan basketball tory burch shoes style every year so that they can be satisfited by most of michael jordan shoes fans. The pattern oakley sunglasses outlet is stated to become empowered by the WW2 Mustang fighter plane along with cheap puma shoes the most obvious elements that features this are the shark teeth patterns on the midsole. The jordan shoes being released was plain and sturdy and was the first guess outlet Nike Jordan Shoes model that Michael did not wear in coach outlet factory NBA seasonal game.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
sd   N/A     1 point   commented 144 days ago reply

For the Jordan online 2011, Micheal Jordan called upon Jason Mayden, Jordan Brands Senior Air Jordan 11 puma shoes Designer, to work with him in order to create a stylish and eco-friendly basketball Air Jordans Outlet sneaker which incorporated the newest technological advancements of the time.The Air Jordan 2009 Running shoe coach online is the first Air Jordans to employ these high quality design elements. Air Jordan cheap prada shoes is actually not Michael Jordan TEAM collection, through the starting point design gucci shoes sale to the particular closing birth and labor destined.

Arrow_up
Arrow_down
nic3moody   N/A     1 point   commented 74 days ago reply

مشاهدة مباراة
مباراة
مباشر
بث مباشر
اونلاين
اليوم
مجاني
بدون مقابل
سريع
تقطيع
بدون
online
watch
match
بv.s
ريال مدريد
برشلونة
مانشستر يونايتد
مانشستر سيتي
تشيلسي
ليفربول
توتنهام
فولهام
بايرن ميونخ
ارسنال
بروسيا دورتموند
الاهلي
الزمالك
الاسماعيلي
المصري
غزل المحلة
اهداف
ملخصات
تحميل
ملخصات مباريات
تحميل اهداف
فيديو ملخصات
منتخب مصر
منتخب السودان
منتخب الجزائر
منتخب السعودية
منتخب المغرب
منتخب تونس
منتخب سوريا
منتخب الامارات
منتخب لبنان
منتخب فلسطين
منتخب اسبانيا
منتخب انجلترا
منتخب المانيا
منتخب ايطاليا
منتخب فرنسا
منتخب صربيا
منتخب البرازيل
منتخب الارجنتين
منتخب كولومبيا
الدوري المصري
الدوري السعودي
الدوري الاسباني
الدوري التونسي
الدوري الانجليزي
الدوري السوداني
الدوري الالماني
يبث اليوم
الدوري الايطالي
الدوري الفرنسي
الدوري المغربي
الدوري السعودي
الدوري الاوروبي
دوري ابطال اوروبا
دوري ابطال العرب
دوري ابطال افريقيا
مباراه ودية
المباريات
مباراة اليوم
مباراة برشلونة
مباراة ريال مدريد
مباراة مانشستر
الان
تنزيل
اخبار
مقالات
خبر
الهلال
الاتحاد السعودي
الاهلي السعودي
اسي ميلان
ميلان
يوفنتوس
نابولي
انتر ميلان
انتر ناسيونالي
قناة الجزيرة الرياضية +2
مشاهدة الجزيره
قنوات ابو ظبي
ابو ظبي الرياضية
مشاهدة القنوات المشفرة
تصفيات كاس الامم الافريقية
تصفيات كاس العالم
كاس الامم الاوروبية


Your Comment



ROCK-STAR INVESTORS
Rank Name Sharpe Ratio Avg Return Followers
1 21.10 +34.36% 531
2 18.14 +36.28% 286
3 17.66 +23.07% 83
4 13.47 +13.37% 69
5 12.13 +132.16% 102


POPULAR STOCKS
Symbol Company Name Sentiment

TODAY'S HEADLINES

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

 
Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PARD)
   SocialPicks Sentiment:   

   This Quarter's Sentiment:
All:
71.0%
Top:
100.0%




Latest Picks by Ivan Mutaftchiev
Symbol SP Sentiment Rating Return Since
WFC Negative -17.17% 06/29/10
AAPL Negative -107.59% 06/29/10
GLD Positive +34.45% 12/08/09

View All >
   
Ivan Mutaftchiev previously rated PARD
Positive -4.55% PARD - Azimuth Opportunity Bets on Poniard's Survival. Should you ?
11/25/2009
6





IN THE PRESS
Press_forbes Press_washingtonpost Press_wsj Press_npr Press_techcrunch