It’s been almost two months since that strange Q3 earnings gap-down, where a massive $16 billion one-time tax charge from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" made the profits look like they were in a freefall. Even though the actual business was firing on all cylinders, the market took the stock on a downward slide, leaving many to wonder if the recovery was ever coming. But like a slow-moving merry-go-round, the share price has spent the last eight weeks carving out a bottom and climbing its way back to that exact gap-down level. 

Watching this circular journey confirms why I prefer the steady rhythm of selling premium over the stress of the ride. While the stock price did a full lap just to end up where it started, the covered calls I’ve been selling against my underlying have been far more productive. Because the shares essentially went nowhere over the two-month round trip, those calls expired worthless, letting me pocket the premium as pure profit. It’s a great way to earn some extra "pocket money" while the market works through its drama, proving that you don't need a massive breakout to stay in the green.