Unusual Options Activity: Citigroup (C)
Major Wall Street bank Citigroup (C) has lost nearly 20 percent over the past year. One trader sees the bank bucking its downtrend and moving higher in the months ahead. That’s based on the December $44 calls. With 122 days until expiration, 5,731 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 229, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $3.10 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently went for just over $44, making ...
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Keeping Customers Happy Tends to Pay Off Over Time
Companies that succeed over the long term continue to find new ways to offer value to their customers. Some of that value can come from providing new products and services that compliment existing ones. Other companies offer better value with a higher quality user experience, with better service and interest. No matter what the specifics are, companies that continue to find new ways to drive customer satisfaction will continue to see customers return time and again. Retailer Target (TGT) has been working ...
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Insider Activity Report: Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA)
William Sanders, a director at Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), recently bought 5,000 shares across two transactions. The purchases increased his holdings by 13 percent, and came to a total cost of about $740,000. These mark the first insider buys over the past two years. Otherwise, there have been regular and steady sales by company insiders, largely at the EVP level. Some sales have been in the $1,000,000 range. Overall, company insiders own 0.7 percent of shares. The owner and operator of apartment ...
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Unusual Options Activity: ConocoPhillips (COP)
Energy giant ConocoPhillips (COP) is up over 20 percent in the past year, nearly triple the return of the S&P 500. One trader sees shares trending higher in the months ahead. That’s based on the October $135 calls. With 70 days until expiration, 8,312 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 140, for a 59-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.65 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded around $116, so they ...
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This Former Market Darling Looks Ready to Turn Around
Some sectors of the market are cyclical, moving in and out of favor with investors. Typically, a stock that gets overbought will see a big correction. And stocks that get oversold will come roaring back. In today’s market, looking for oversold opportunities looks like a good way to buck a possible market pullback after a strong run this year. Investors who buy such companies may see some volatility, but could make big returns in a few months to a year. One oversold ...
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Insider Activity Report: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD)
William Montgomery, a director at Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), recently bought 50,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 77 percent, and came to a total cost of $1.33 million. This marks the first insider buy since March, when one of the company’s co-CEOs bought 15,835 shares for just under $401,000. There have been nearly two dozen insider buys over the past two years, with no insider sales. Overall, company insiders own 32.7 percent of shares. The oil and gas pipeline company ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Shopify (SHOP)
E-commerce platform company Shopify (SHOP) has soared nearly 60 percent in the past year. One trader sees a further rally ahead for shares in the next seven months. That’s based on the March 2024 $70 calls. With 217 days until expiration, 11,583 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 171, for a 68-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.90 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for about $56, so they ...
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Slow and Steady Earnings Growth Will Win the Investment Race
Investing is a marathon, although with all the day-to-day news and quarterly earnings report, it may not always feel like that. A handful of companies get their focus right, looking at the long haul versus short-term moves. Those companies may not always please investors during their quarterly earnings reports. But all companies will have a disappointing quarter from time to time. Great companies don’t let it faze them at all. Conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) is one such company. A mix of fully-owned ...
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