Cheap calls for this week

Here are is a sample list of cheap calls for next week.

I use my own model to arrive at "cheapness" versus the dominant BSM model which is used in the industry. The "rank" is my own high level grouping of the mispricing. For example, my model shows that the VZ 39.5 call should be priced around 40 cents, so it has a rank of 2. MCD 310 should be priced around 2.4 so it has a rank 1.

People have asked me how I trade these, and here are some of my own guidelines:

1. Trade small, and if you want to trade even smaller, then buy a vertical call spread.
2. Never double down – if the trade does not work, close it or roll it, and do not throw good money after bad
3. If the stock drops before you enter the trade, move down a strike, or do not trade the option at all
4. Take quick profits at your profit target, as we all have different risk/return profiles and appetites

the data is as of midday on Friday so some of them have already moved in either direction. Do your own research and formulate your own trades.

Date, Symbol $Strike, Exp Date, Bid/Ask, Rank: Value Price

01/16/2026, V $330, 01/23/2026, 2.19/2.29, Rank: 1

01/16/2026, MCD $310, 01/23/2026, 1.48/1.67, Rank: 1

01/16/2026, VZ $39.5, 01/23/2026, 0.17/0.18, Rank: 2

01/16/2026, MRK $110, 01/23/2026, 0.91/1.05, Rank: 1

01/16/2026, UBER $84, 01/23/2026, 1.25/1.33, Rank: 1

01/16/2026, IBM $307.5, 01/23/2026, 2.86/3.6, Rank: 1

Good luck, cheers!