Trading Tips Blog

Andrew Barker, a director at the Banc of California (BANC), recently bought 48,435 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 50 percent, and came to a total cost just over $800,800. This insider was also the most recent buyer with a 12,900 share pickup back in February 2022. The company President and CEO also picked up about $100,000 worth of BANC shares at the time as well. There have been no insider sales over the past three years. Overall, company insiders ...
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Shares of battery technology company QuantumScape (QS) have lost over 40 percent of their value in the past year, although shares have recently bounced more than 50 percent higher off their lows. One trader sees a further decline ahead. That’s based on the March $9 puts. With 44 days until expiration, 13,951 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 259, for a 54-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.42. Shares recently traded for ...
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Economies change over time. The U.S. economy is largely driven by consumer spending. Most of the goods that consumers spend money on are made overseas, where labor is cheaper. But that’s starting to change. A big reason why is automation. Rather than employ factory workers, technology allows for goods to be made with minimal human interaction. That’s making it easier for manufacturers to operate in the high-cost United States. Companies that play to that trend have years of growth ahead. In the ...
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John Donovan, a director at Lockheed Martin (LMT), recently added 556 shares to his holdings. That increased his stake by 31 percent, and came to a total cost just under $251,000. The director was responsible for the last insider activity, with a 568 share buy back in October. Over the past year, the director has made four purchases. And one company vice president has been a seller of shares. Overall, company insiders own 0.1 percent of shares. The defense contractor is up ...
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Gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti (AU) has fared well in the past year, with a 20 percent gain. One trader sees a pullback in the coming months. That’s based on the April $20 puts. With 80 days until expiration, 5,002 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 115, for a 44-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.90 to make the bearish bet. Shares currently trade just under $22, so they’d need to drop ...
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When markets are running scared, it may be prudent to look at companies making new highs. Chances are there’s something going on with the underlying business that explains why they’re bucking the trend. And chances are that trend will continue. There are always a few companies making new 52-week highs, even in a challenging market. The past few months have also seen a rotation towards more value-oriented and defensive stocks moving higher. One such play is telecom AT&T (T). The company hasn’t ...
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Michael Kennedy, a director at Old Republic Insurance (ORI), has been a buyer of 2,950 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 40 percent, and came to a total cost just under $68,500. Insiders have generally been buyers over the past year, with company directors picking up small sums of shares. One company executive sold 11,000 shares over the past year, receiving just over a quarter million dollars. Overall, company insiders own 7.6 percent of shares. The property and casualty insurance company ...
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Retail apparel company Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) have seen shares drop by over 20 percent in the past year. One trader is betting on more long-term pain for the company in the year ahead. That’s based on the January 2024 $15 put options. With 357 days until expiration, 5,000 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 112, for a 44-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.88 to bet on a further drop ...
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