Continue Playing to Winning Retail Trends

Consumer spending may be slowing… but it’s also a huge chunk of the economy. And no matter how bad things slow down, there are still many goods that people will need to buy. That may be bad news for those who make higher-end goods. Ultra-wealthy consumer unaffected by the economy can only buy so much for themselves. That leaves companies that offer the best bargains for consumers as the top way to play current economic trends. For the apparel space, off-price retailers ...
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Insider Trading Report: Delta Air Lines (DAL)

David Taylor, a director at Delta Air Lines (DAL), recently bought 5,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 9 percent, and came to a total cost of $167,805. This marks the first insider buy since January, when another director bought 12,880 shares at a cost of just over $496,000. A few company executives have been sellers of shares so far this year, including the company’s President, on two separate occasions. Overall, insiders own 0.3 percent of the airline's shares. Delta shares ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX)

Document management company Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX) have been trading in a range for most of the past year. One trader sees shares continuing to trend toward the lower end of that range in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the May $14 puts. With 28 days until expiration, 4,247 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 119, for a 36-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.60 to make the bearish bet. Shares ...
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Look for Opportunities to Buy Two (Or More) Companies For the Price of One

There are many ways to earn a great return in the stock market. One way is to look at special situations, such as a merger announcement. There’s also a less-well-known way to profit by buying up a company about to split into multiple companies. Such moves happen with less fanfare than an acquisition. But it can be a way for a company to unlock the value of a line of business that may not fit into the stock market’s perception of ...
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Insider Trading Report: Tilly’s Inc (TLYS)

Fund 1 Investments LLC, a major holder at Tilly’s Inc (TLYS), recently added 177,930 shares. The buy increased the fund’s holdings by 3 percent, and came to a total cost of $1.36 million. The fund has been a steady buyer of shares over the past year. The fund also sold shares back in December, possibly for tax loss purposes. There have been a few small sales by company insiders over the past year. Overall, company insiders own about 2.3 percent of ...
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Unusual Options Activity: JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM)

Megabank JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) has been moving higher since the recent fears in the banking sector. One trader is betting that trend will continue. That’s based on the November $175 calls. With 211 days until expiration, 4,870 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 109, for a 45-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.06 to make the bullish bet. Shares last traded just over $140, so they would need to rise ...
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Cheap, Boring, and Hated Stocks Can Outperform In Slow Markets

Following the market’s big drop last year and bounce so far this year, it’s likely that markets will continue to bounce around as economic data points a mixed picture. That’s a good trading environment—and it can also be a good one for long-term investors. The way to take advantage is to look for stocks that are cheap, ignored or even hated by the market in general, and capable of moving higher thanks to strong financial performance. The life insurance industry is cheap ...
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Insider Trading Report: WD-40 Co (WDFC)

Steven Brass, President and CEO at WD 40 Co (WDFC), recently bought 558 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 3 percent, and came to a total purchase price just under $100,000. He was joined by several other company insiders. The company CFO bought 168 shares, increasing her stake by 12 percent at a cost just over $30,000. And two company vice presidents also bought the stock on the same day. Overall, insiders own 1.5 percent of the company. The specialty chemical ...
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