We have a number of positions to manage this week in Triple Play Income. Let’s start with ABBV that goes ex-dividend today.

TRADE: Buy/Write

AbbVie (ABBV):  167.00

AbbVie has been one of the few pharma companies trading higher this year hitting its 52-week high again last week. We were call out of the stock at a 2.30 profit last week and ABBV goes ex-dividend tomorrow (4/13) paying a 1.41 dividend.

The good news. The stock price has re-traced the last 2 days and we can get into ABBV at a lower price today at around $166.50.

We will do a buy/write on ABBV … buy the stock today and sell a covered call.

ACTION: Buy ABBV stock at market and sell the ABBV 29 Apr 170 call for a net debit 164.50

Buy ABBV stock today at around 166.50

Sell to open ABBV 29 Apr 170 call for a net credit of around 2.15 – 2.20

NOTE:  ABBV is now our most expensive stock position. We still believe that this stock will continue to be a strong dividend performer as well as a solid premium trade going forward.

However, we recognize this could be too large of a position for some members in their portfolio. We will be adding additional positions to our Triple Play Income portfolio over the next 30 days including a stock trading well under $100. Stay tuned.