Trading Tips Blog

Shares of hard drive manufacturer Seagate Technology (STX) have been cut in half over the past year amid slowing demand for computer and computer parts. One trader sees a further decline over the next two years. That’s based on the January 2025 $55 puts. With 758 days until expiration, 5,000 contracts traded compared to the prior open interest of 117, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $14.48 to make the trade. Shares recently ...
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The economy continues to slow. While that’s starting to show up in declining year-over-year inflation rates, the market is warning about a recession in several ways. Big businesses are one of the places where the alarm has been sounded. That’s because a few companies have announced layoffs, of anywhere from 5 to 30 percent of their workforces. Typically, a company that can do more with less can fare well over time, however. One of the most recent companies to announce layoffs is ...
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Bryant Riley, Chairman and Co-CEO of B. Riley Financial (RILY), recently added 63,527 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 1 percent, and came to a total purchase price of just over $2.6 million. The buy comes about 10 days after a $2.2 million buy for just over 51,500 shares. And other company insiders, including both executives and directors, have been sizeable buyers in recent months. The last insider sale, from a major holder, occurred back in May. Overall, insiders at the ...
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Shares of 3D printing hardware and software provider 3D Systems Corporation (DDD) has lost over 62 percent of its value in the past year. One trader sees a further drop ahead. That’s based on the February $8 puts. With 59 days until expiration, 3,473 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 128, for a 27-fold increase in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.75 to make the bearish bet. The stock recently traded around $8.20, making ...
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In any sector or trend, a few companies come to dominate. The headline names may attract considerable attention, but the real returns can often be in the companies providing the infrastructure behind it. These “pick and shovel” plays may lack for an exciting story, but when it comes to investing, a boring idea that’s profitable tends to have a better valuation than going after the exciting story. In the cloud services space, server processors make the most attractive story. Rather than focus ...
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George Maxwell, CEO at VAALCO Energy (EGY), recently bought 5,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 3.9 percent, and came to a total cost of $21,650. The CEO last bought shares in November, grabbing 20,000 shares for just over $111,000. The most recent buy comes about one month after the company CFO bought 4,250 shares as well. Overall, company insiders have been mixed over the past three years, with large holders making big sales while some insiders have been buyers. Read More About This

Shares of home improvement retailer The Home Depot (HD) are down about in-line with the market over the past year. One trader sees a further drop in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the February 2023 $290 put. With 60 days until expiration, 13,502 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 311 for a 41-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $4.03 to make the bearish bet. Home Depot shares recently traded just over ...
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Investors often see a trade-off between high growth opportunities and income. However, in a market selloff, growth names can go on sale. And when they do, any dividend that they may be paying can become much larger than average. Striking a balance between the two involves looking at where some of the best bargains lie under current market conditions. But investors looking for growth and income have a growing number of opportunities right now. One such opportunity is in Qualcomm (QCOM). The ...
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