Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker and current Democratic congresswoman representing San Francisco, loves stock trading so much that it has inspired a number of attempts at legislation banning sitting lawmakers from trading and holding stocks. She seems to be especially good at it too, as she made a 65% return on her investment portfolio in 2023 — way ahead of the 24% of the S&P 500, according to the stock-trading data site Unusual Whales.
Her secret? Maybe insider info but definitely stock options.
Options trading has become increasingly prevalent among members of Congress, with other notable investors including Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), boasting a return of over 122%, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), up more than 25%.
According to the analysis, options trading on Capitol Hill surged to a record $160 million in 2023, a significant rise from $30 million in the previous year, despite an overall decline in the total number of congressional trades.
Notably, Pelosi’s 2023 returns is the opposite of her 2022 portfolio, which saw a 19.8% drop. This decline was attributed to the sale of Nvidia shares, which resulted in a loss of over $341,000.
Recent securities filings reveal that Pelosi and her husband are learning from their mistakes and are reinvesting in Nvidia, with Pelosi reportedly betting millions using call options in a move criticized for its timing, deliberately disclosed on the Friday before Christmas weekend to avoid media attention.
Information for this story was found via Unusual Whales, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
