When Markets Are Down, Buy the Boring Business

In a bull market, traders can profit by buying companies with an exciting story behind them. Those stocks tend to be runaway winners. But when the market is trading flat or down, the slow-and-steady, boring businesses can be the better winners. That’s because these companies can be more recession resistant. And they tend not to get as overvalued on the way up. That makes for a solid value play, and often one that pays out a solid source of growing income. One ...
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Insider Trading Report: Clearway Energy (CWEN)

Totalenergies Se, a major holder of Clearway Energy (CWEN), recently added 71,980 shares. The buy increased the fund’s position by  $2.42 million on top of its existing position. The fund last bought shares in mid-2021. Otherwise, trading has been relatively quiet, with 2 buys from a company director, and a sale from the company President and CEO back in November. Overall, insiders own about 1.1 percent of the renewable energy utility. Shares are down about in-line with the overall stock market in ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Delta Air Lines (DAL)

Airline carrier Delta Air Lines (DAL) has pulled back in recent weeks, as fears of a slowing economy may soften demand for air travel. One trader sees a further downside in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the May $29 puts. With 35 days until expiration, 5,772 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 114, for a 51-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.38 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded just ...
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Buy the Winner in a Consolidating Industry

When an industry starts out, there may be dozens, if not hundreds of competitors. But, much like the automotive industry, eventually the space will consolidate into a few big players. Sometimes, that consolidation will occur through acquisitions. Other times, an economic crisis or two will also help to shake out weaker competitors. And consumer tastes and preferences may make it easy for a big player to stay big, even if newer companies try and grab market share. The shakeout in the cryptocurrency broker ...
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Insider Trading Report: BRT Apartments Corp (BRT)

Jeffrey Gould, President and CEO at BRT Apartments Corp (BRT), recently added 4,858 shares. The buy increased his holdings by less than 1 percent, and came to a total cost of $90,721. He was joined by a senior vice president who bought the same quantity on the same day. Over the past year, members of the Gould family have been steady and consistent buyers, with one insider sale from the company COO this year. Overall, company insiders own 20.2 percent of ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Caterpillar (CAT)

Construction machinery manufacturer Caterpillar (CAT) has traded flat over the past year, following a sizeable drop and rally over the past few months. One trader sees shares moving higher into the summer. That’s based on the August $260 calls. With 127 days until expiration, 35,041 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 560, for a 63-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $3.83 to make the bullish bet. Share recently went for about ...
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Buy the Best Companies to Play a Hot Growth Trend

When a growth trend is underway, nearly every company that plays to that trend will rally. At least, at first. However, weaker companies will get squeezed out by competition, leading to only a few big players. Of those players, a few will win based on quality. Others will cater to a lower-end market. When a sector is still new, chances are the higher-end product will perform better than the lower-end one until a few iterations of the technology are worked out. Right ...
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Insider Trading Report: Business First Bancshares (BFST)

Edgar Smith, a director at Business First Bancshares (BFST), recently reported the purchase of 17,109 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 1 percent, and came to a total cost of $400,220. He was joined by another director who bought 3,664 shares, paying just over $80,100. Other company directors have been buyers of shares over the past two years, with just one insider sale from a director over the same time period. Overall, insiders at the regional bank own about 6.3 ...
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