Key Takeaways
- Paul Pelosi acquired 200 call option contracts for both Intel and Uber during May 2026, representing investments valued as high as $6 million
- The options carry $50 strike prices with an expiration date of March 19, 2027
- Intel shares have surged more than 250% this year, currently hovering near $129
- The Pelosi investment portfolio exceeds $40 million in value and has consistently outperformed major market indices
- With Pelosi retiring from Congress, public trade disclosures will cease after January 2027
A recent congressional financial disclosure filed by Nancy Pelosi reveals that her spouse, Paul Pelosi, acquired substantial call option positions in Intel and Uber during late May 2026. The combined transaction value ranges from $1 million to $6 million.
The investment involved purchasing 200 call option contracts for each company. Since individual contracts represent 100 underlying shares, this provides exposure to 20,000 shares of Intel and an equal amount of Uber. The positions share identical terms: a $50 strike price with expiration on March 19, 2027.
Call options grant holders the privilege, without obligation, to acquire shares at a predetermined price. Traders frequently employ this approach to obtain leveraged market exposure while avoiding direct share purchases.
Intel’s Remarkable 2026 Performance
Intel stands among 2026’s most impressive equity performers. Year-to-date gains exceed 250%, with shares currently valued near $129.
This dramatic appreciation stems from improvements within Intel’s foundry operations under CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s leadership, who assumed control in March 2025. The semiconductor manufacturer has demonstrated enhanced production yields on cutting-edge chip designs.
Jim Cramer of CNBC recently designated Intel as his preferred AI chip investment. He highlighted evolving data center architecture that adjusts CPU-to-GPU ratios, a trend he believes favors Intel’s traditional strengths.
With Intel trading significantly above the $50 strike threshold, these options qualify as “in the money.” This positioning suggests Paul Pelosi likely paid elevated premiums upfront, though it substantially reduces the probability of the contracts expiring without value.
Uber Position and Portfolio Composition
Uber’s stock price currently trades slightly under $70, positioning the $50 strike price favorably in profitable territory.
The Pelosi family maintains investment holdings surpassing $40 million distributed among multiple equities, including Amazon, Alphabet, Nvidia, and Apple.
Throughout 2025, Pelosi incorporated nine additional stocks into her holdings. This expansion included three members of the Magnificent Seven: Amazon, Nvidia, and Alphabet.
Her aggregate stock and options activity for 2026 totals $8.88 million, representing a significant decline from 2025’s $48.6 million.
According to UnusualWhales analytics, Pelosi ranked 28th among congressional traders in 2025, achieving a 20.1% portfolio return that exceeded the S&P 500’s 16.6% benchmark.
Ongoing Debate Over Legislative Stock Trading
More than 400 congressional members maintain active stock trading activities. Academic studies indicate legislators frequently achieve above-market returns.
A New York Times analysis covering 2019 through 2021 discovered that over half of trading lawmakers served on committees with direct oversight of companies in their portfolios.
The HONEST Act, proposed legislation that would prohibit individual stock trading by lawmakers, has cleared Senate committee review but awaits final passage. Pelosi has publicly endorsed this reform.
The most recent financial disclosures bear a June 23 signature date, documenting transactions executed on May 29. Congressional rules mandate trade reporting within 45 days of execution.
Pelosi has announced her decision not to pursue re-election in 2026. Beginning January 2027, she will no longer face mandatory trade disclosure requirements.
