Trading Tips Blog

Shares of 3D world-building company Roblox (RBLX) are down about 75 percent in the past year. One trader sees a further decline in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 13th $30 puts. With 32 days until expiration, 5,037 contracts traded compared to a prior interest of 238, for a 21-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.19 to make the downside bet. Shares recently traded for about $32, so the stock would need to ...
Read More About This

A company generating cash flow has a number of ways to put that money to work. They can expand the business, whether through internal growth or acquisitions. When a company gets large enough, it may also make sense to reward shareholders with cash dividends. But a company can also buy back its shares. That also rewards existing shareholders, as it reduces shares outstanding and increases earnings per share without growing the underlying business. In today’s market, beaten down stocks embracing bigger buybacks ...
Read More About This

Amal Johnson, a director at Essex Property Trust (ESS), recently added 1,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 67 percent, and came to a total cost of just over $218,000. This marks the first insider buy at the company in at least four years. Otherwise, company insiders have largely been sellers of shares following the exercise of stock options. That includes both directors and company executives. Overall, insiders own 1.2 percent of the company. Shares of the residential REIT have dropped ...
Read More About This

Shares of money center Bank of America (BAC) are down about 25 percent in the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by about 9 points. One trader sees a rebound in the first half of 2023. That’s based on the June $49 calls. With 188 days until expiration, 3,021 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 147, for a 21-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.11 to make the bullish bet. The stock ...
Read More About This

Typically, the stock market doesn’t mind when a company announces layoffs. In a bull market, it can be a sign that a company is finding ways to do the same (or more) work with fewer people. But in a bear market, it’s often treated as bad news, even as it lowers costs. That’s particularly true in financial markets, where companies can be quick to hire and quick to right-size when the market changes. Right now, the market has sold off shares of ...
Read More About This

Robert Dixon, a director at Generac Holdings (GNRC), recently added 2,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 13 percent, and came to a total cost of just over $194,000. This marks the first insider buy at the company in the past two years. Otherwise, company insiders have been likely to sell shares. The company CEO in particular has been a seller of shares on a regular basis. Overall, company insiders own 2.7 percent of shares. The manufacturer of power generation equipment ...
Read More About This

Shares of Chinese entertainment company iQIYI (IQ) are down over 40 percent in the past year. One trader sees rebound ahead for shares. That’s based on the June 2023 $3.50 calls. With 189 days until expiration, 15,088 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 204, for a 74-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.89 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded just near $3.50, making this an at-the-money trade. The stock has ...
Read More About This

Stocks had a pretty strong rally on reports that the Federal Reserve would lower the rate at which it increases interest rates. But that rally ended as traders realized that rates would still rise—and a slower pace would allow the increases to continue for longer. However, we’re likely closer to the end of the rate hike cycle than the beginning. And for investors looking for year-end buys, it could be time to pick up some beaten-down names, particularly in big tech. That ...
Read More About This