Trading Tips Blog

Consumer spending makes up about 70 percent of the US economy. Currently, sales remain strong, but there are some signs that consumers may be increasing their credit card usage to do so. If that continues, it’s likely that spending will start to come down in some parts of the economy. However, some retailers could benefit from that trend. Discount stores tend to hold up well no matter what the economy is doing for groceries or other basic supplies. In the clothing space, ...
Read More About This

Jacinto Hernandez, a director at Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), recently picked up 588 shares. The buy increased the director’s stake by over 37 percent, and came to a total cost just over $148,000. This marks the first insider buy at the energy exploration and production company in nearly a year. Otherwise, company insiders, including both executives and directors, have been regular and consistent sellers of the stock over the past three years. Overall, insiders own 0.6 percent of shares. Shares are up ...
Read More About This

Shares of supplemental insurance company Aflac (AFL) are up 27 percent in the past year, fueled in part by a strong rally in recent weeks. One trader sees a pullback in the coming weeks. That’s based on the December $70 put. With 24 days until expiration, 2,539 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 101, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.33 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded ...
Read More About This

With the stock market down so heavily, traders may feel hit hard. But looking at the market objectively, a big down year leads to lower valuations. And for income-generating investments like dividend stocks, it can mean higher starting yields. Investors who can buy growing companies with reasonable dividends can likely see both a higher share price and a higher dividend payout when things turn around. One area where investors can get both is in beaten-down infrastructure plays. While the term can be ...
Read More About This

Gregory Lucier, a director at Dentsply Sirona (XRAY), recently added 6,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by nearly 20 percent, and came to a total cost just under $189,000. This marks the first insider buy at the company in nearly a year. This year has seen one other insider transaction, with the sale of shares from a director. Over the past three years, insiders, mostly company directors, have been inclined to be sellers rather than buyers of shares. Overall, insiders at ...
Read More About This

Shares of Chinese internet retailer Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) are down over 45 percent in the past year. One trader sees a further decline in shares by mid-2024. That’s based on the June 2024 $60 puts. With 577 days until expiration, 3,147 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 126, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $8.48 to make the bet. Shares recently traded for about $85, so they would ...
Read More About This

Investors are forward-looking. So while the market may be performing poorly this year, those who look further ahead can find bargains today that should be more valuable down the line. One area where this is playing out is in the tech space. A number of companies are providing lower guidance going forward. But given the selloff in the sector so far this year, shares may be oversold and could move higher on the first sign of a turnaround next year. That may ...
Read More About This

David Wenner, a director at B&G Foods (BGS), recently added 20,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by nearly 2.7 percent, and came to a total cost just over $280,000. Insiders aren’t particularly active at the company. This marks the first insider buy at B&G Foods since March 2020. Otherwise, one company director and one executive were modest sellers of shares in the past two years until this latest buy. The sales were made at a far higher price. Overall, company Read More About This