Trading Tips Blog

Payment technology company Global Payments Inc (GPN) is down 11% over the past year. One trader sees further downside in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the November 15 $85 puts. With 42 days until expiration, 6,093 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 190, for a 32-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.20 to make the bearish bet. Global Payments shares recently traded for about $97.50, so the stock would need to ...
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The goal of any company is to grow its products and services. However, sometimes a company is structurally prevented from growth. That could come from having a local or regional monopoly, like a railroad or utility. Sometimes, other government restrictions can hold back a stock. When those restrictions disappear, however, a company can suddenly get set to grow. And that could lead to a catch-up rally reflecting the opportunity for faster growth. For instance, regulators just cleared megabank Wells Fargo (WFC) from ...
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Stephen Mahoney, President and CEO of Viridian Therapeutics (VRDN), recently bought 21,400 shares. The buy is an initial stake for the CEO, and came to a total cost of $499,262. He was joined by the company COO, who bought 5,000 shares. That buy increased the COO’s stake by 500%, and cost $117,050. A major holder has also been a buyer earlier this year. Going further back, insider activity has been more mixed, with more insiders selling in 2022 and 2023 when ...
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Digital platform Sea Limited (SE) is up 121% over the past year, and is up nearly 50% alone since August. One trader sees shares pulling back over the coming months. That’s based on the December 20 $82.50 puts. With 78 days until expiration, 10,001 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 320, for a 31-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.70 to make the bearish bet. Sea Limited shares recently traded for ...
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Activist investors sometimes get a bad rap. But often times, they buy a significant stake in a company, at last 5%, and push for management to make changes. For a struggling company whose share price has lagged, that can be a good thing. Even the news of an activist investor getting in can be a sign that improvements are on the way. The only question is whether the activist pushes for them, or if management steps up. Shares of struggling pharmacy store ...
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Jose De Nigris, a director at Freightcar America (RAIL), recently bought 4,000 shares. The buy increased his position by 6%, and came to a total cost of $40,741. The director last bought shares in May 2023, picking up 10,000 shares for $30,000. Around the same time, a major holder also bought 85,412 shares, and the company’s President and CEO bought 32,578 shares for just over $93,000. Two company directors sold small positions earlier this year. Overall, Freightcar American insiders own 27.1% ...
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China-based EV manufacturer NIO (NIO) is down 25% over the past year, but shares have started to rally in recent weeks. One trader is betting that shares will continue to rally over the next month. That’s based on the November 1 $9 calls. With 30 days until expiration, 10,172 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 400, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.36 to make the bullish bet. NIO shares ...
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Over time, a company’s earnings can go a long way to determining the value of its share price. A company that can keep increasing earnings will likely see their share price trend higher. However, sometimes, the market will look at other factors besides earnings. One related issue is revenues, the raw cash that comes in the door before costs are factored in. A company with rising earnings but concerned over revenues may get punished by the markets, leading to a buying ...
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