Trading Tips Blog

Investors are more than willing to place trades outside their comfort zone in a bull market. But in a slowing economy, they tend to gravitate towards the tried and true. That explains the relative outperformance of value stocks in a flat or sideways market. Investors do the same thing as consumers. They cut back on new products and services, and stick with what’s tried and true. That’s why there are so many brands out there – including those at a reasonable ...
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Walter Bettinger, CEO at Charles Schwab (SCHW), recently bought 50,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 8 percent, and came to a total cost of $2.965 million. He was joined by a number of other company officers and directors. The company’s CFO bought 5,000 shares, at a cost of just under $297,000. One director bought 10,000 shares, paying just under $568,000. The buys come just a few weeks after the last insider sales at the company. Overall, company insiders own ...
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Airliner United Airlines Holdings (UAL) has held up well over the past year, with a 12 percent gain amid the market’s overall 10 percent drop. One trader sees that outperformance continuing in the months ahead. That’s based on the January 2025 $45 calls. With 672 days until expiration, 5,497 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 143, for a 38-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $11.13 to make the bullish bet. United shares ...
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Market volatility is back. That means that companies can expect their share price to see sizeable swings by the day. As markets get turbulent, investors should look for companies that can continue to grow no matter what the economy does. Many gravitate towards income stocks. But a high payout along isn’t enough. Stability, rather than the potential for big growth, may win out in the market in the months ahead. That’s where a company like Honeywell International (HON) comes into play. As ...
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Christopher Blake, President and CEO at PacWest Bancorp (PACW), recently bought 6,660 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 3 percent, and came to a total cost just over $118,000. He was joined by the company’s COO, who bought 3,148 shares for the price of $48,000. And a company director bought 25,000 shares, at a cost of $383,250. Other company insiders have been buyers in the past week as well, as shares of the regional bank have taken a big dive. Overall, ...
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Office real estate investment trust SL Green Realty (SLG) has seen shares slide by nearly two-thirds in the past year. One trader sees a further decline in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the May $22.50 puts. With 64 days until expiration, 9,147 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 22, for a 41-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.45 to make the downside bet. Shares recently went for about $28, so the ...
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Market sentiment has turned on a dime, as fears about the solvency of several banks has surged. In this flight to quality, investors are moving into assets such as Treasury bonds and gold. However, some stocks could be a better option here. That’s because some companies will continue to grow their income. And that can be used to buy back shares, pay out a growing dividend, or otherwise reward those with the willingness to buy in a fearful market. One of the ...
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Richard Dreiling, CEO at Dollar Tree (DLTR), recently added 7,100 shares to his holdings. The buy increased his stake from just 18 shares, and came to a total cost of just over $1 million. This marks the first insider buy in nearly a year, when a director bought 425 shares at a cost of just over $66,000. Otherwise, there has been one insider sale over the past year, by the company’s chief strategy officer. Overall, insiders own 1.3 percent of the ...
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