It’s a fledgling industry with a $6 billion dollar price tag. The question – is it time for a little weed in your portfolio? 

Perhaps related? another Big Fat Idea – Making Money From The Oldies

….or what to do with $15K Inheritance from Grandma

The specific idea:

1. A a creative conservative investment for those frustrated with low interest rates of 1-2%. An investment in the the BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF.

Why?

1. As of as of July 29th/2016 it has generated an annualized yield of 6.65%  

2. It delivers a tax-efficient monthly income from dividend paying telecommunications and pipeline dividend stocks.

3. The covered call strategy provides a partial hedge against market declines as well as while increasing income.

 4. Its simple. Covered call ETFs make the relatively sophisticated strategy available to individual investors. (the average person usually doesn’t have  the experience or know-how to execute option strategies on their own, and most advisers aren’t licensed to sell options).

How do they play it?

Contact your broker or bank and invest in BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF symbol ZWU (Zebra Whiskey Uniform)
  
Who is this appropriate for? 

This is a conservative investment that ideally should be held for an entire market cycle, which generally lasts 4 years. 

“covered call ETFs should, over a period of five years or longer, deliver returns that are 1.5 percentage points higher on average than comparable stock market ETFs. Call products will underperform in fast-rising market and outperform in sideways and down markets. Sometimes, the outperformance will come in the form of losing less money.” – Eden Rahim of Horizon Exchange Traded Funds

….related: Also using option strategies the following BMO ETF below is a more aggressive and unconventional alternative that sells puts against money in T-Bills aiming to gain an annualized  return of 8%. By selling out of the money puts the fund is intended to protect investors from a 10-`5% decline. That said a 20% decline in the stock market would affect the strategy negatively. 

….read more:  BMO ETF aims to profit from writing puts in a strategy designed to yield 8% annually. 

Also, Horizons Enhanced Income Gold Producers ETF uses the covered call strategy gain exposure to North American base gold mining and exploration companies while generating monthly distributions of dividend and call option income. An investment to consider in a developing bull market.