Weekly Options Review
Written by me — retireondividends
As we head into the week of May 22, 2026, my options dashboard is lining up for what could be one of the strongest income weeks of the month. All five open contracts — UNH, three RDDT positions, and ASTS — are currently profitable, and each one presents a different type of management decision depending on how price action behaves over the next few days.
This post focuses exclusively on the positions expiring next week, updated with current market prices and my exact cost basis. These are the setups that keep my weekly premium‑selling strategy consistent, controlled, and repeatable.
UNH — $400 Covered Call (Expiring 5/22)
Current Price: $393.85 (regular close) / $375.46 (after‑hours) My Cost Basis: $395.71 Position: 1 Sell Current Profit: +$546.00
UnitedHealth (UNH) continues to be one of the most reliable premium generators in my portfolio. With the stock trading below both my cost basis and the $400 strike, this covered call is positioned perfectly heading into expiration week.
Here’s the setup:
UNH is below my cost basis
UNH is below the $400 strike
The call is comfortably OTM
The contract is already up $546
This is exactly what I want from a weekly covered call: predictable decay, low assignment risk, and the ability to sell another call next week.
If UNH stays below $400, I’ll let it expire worthless and reload. If it rallies, I’ll consider:
Rolling up and out
Buying back early
Letting assignment happen only if the chart looks extended
UNH remains a premium machine — slow, steady, and consistent.
RDDT — $147 Cash‑Secured Put (Expiring 5/22)
Current Price: $158.17 Position: 1 Sell Current Profit: +$187.00
Reddit (RDDT) has been volatile, but the $147 put is holding up extremely well. With the stock trading more than $11 above the strike, this contract is safely OTM.
This is a textbook cash‑secured put:
Rich premium
Strong buffer
High IV decay
Low assignment risk
If RDDT stays above $147, the put expires worthless and I keep 100% of the premium. If the stock dips, I can still roll down/out for credit because IV remains elevated.
RDDT — $157.50 Cash‑Secured Put (Expiring 5/22)
Current Price: $158.17 Position: 1 Sell Current Profit: +$322.00 Status: ATM / Slightly OTM
This is the most interesting contract of the week. With RDDT trading at $158.17, the stock is hovering just above the $157.50 strike. This put has been flipping between ITM and OTM depending on intraday swings.
Because this contract is so close to the strike, I’m preparing for multiple scenarios:
1. Roll Down & Out (Most Likely Move)
If RDDT weakens, I’ll roll this put to a lower strike and later expiration. This improves break‑even and adds more premium.
2. Take Assignment
If RDDT stabilizes above $157.50, assignment becomes attractive — especially if I want to sell covered calls next.
3. Close Early
If RDDT rallies to $160+, the put will decay quickly and I can lock in profit.
This is the contract I’ll be watching most closely throughout the week.
RDDT — $187.50 Covered Call (Expiring 5/22)
Current Price: $158.17 My Cost Basis: $182.90 Position: 1 Sell Current Profit: +$51.00
With RDDT trading nearly $30 below the strike, this covered call is deep OTM and extremely low‑maintenance.
Here’s the math:
My cost basis: $182.90
Strike: $187.50
Current price: $158.17
This means:
Zero assignment risk
Full premium capture is likely
No threat to my cost basis
Shares remain available for next week’s call sale
This is the type of contract that quietly compounds income without requiring any active management.
ASTS — $89 Covered Call (Expiring 5/22)
Current Price: $83.67 (regular close) / $82.65 (after‑hours) My Cost Basis: $79.13 Position: 1 Sell Current Profit: +$181.00
ASTS has been trending upward, but the stock remains below the $89 strike, giving this covered call a comfortable buffer heading into expiration week.
Here’s the setup:
Current price: $83.67
Strike: $89
Cost basis: $79.13
Premium collected: strong
Assignment risk: moderate but manageable
Because ASTS is a high‑IV name, I’m prepared for volatility. But the after‑hours dip to $82.65 reduces assignment risk even further.
If ASTS rallies:
I can buy back early
Or roll up/out for more credit
If it stays below $89, I’ll let it expire and sell another call next week.
Learn more: High‑IV premium selling
Summary Table — With Current Prices & My Cost Basis
| Ticker | Strike | Type | Current Price | My Cost Basis | Status | Current Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNH | $400C | Covered Call | $393.85 | $395.71 | OTM | +$546 |
| RDDT | $147P | CSP | $158.17 | N/A | Safe OTM | +$187 |
| RDDT | $157.50P | CSP | $158.17 | N/A | ATM / Risk | +$322 |
| RDDT | $187.50C | Covered Call | $158.17 | $182.90 | Deep OTM | +$51 |
| ASTS | $89C | Covered Call | $83.67 | $79.13 | OTM | +$181 |
What I’ll Be Watching This Week
1. RDDT Price Action
Three of my five contracts are tied to RDDT. The $157.50 put is the one that requires the most attention.
2. UNH Stability
If UNH stays below $400, I’ll let it expire and reload.
3. ASTS Momentum
If ASTS pushes toward $89, I may buy back early.
4. Volatility Shifts
Any spike in IV could create rolling opportunities for additional credit.
5. Early Close Opportunities
If any contract hits 90–95% profit, I’ll likely close it early.
Learn more: When to close options early
Final Thoughts
This upcoming expiration week is shaping up to be another strong income week. All five positions are profitable, the strikes are well‑placed, and the mix of tickers gives me flexibility no matter how the market behaves.
Whether these contracts expire worthless, get rolled, or get assigned, the key remains the same:
Consistent, controlled premium selling that compounds over time.
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