Insider Trading Report: Phillips 66 (PSX)

Gregory Hayes, a director at Phillips 66 (PSX), recently bought 10,250 shares. The buy came to a total cost just over $1.1 million, and increased the director’s stake by a massive 253 percent. This is the first purchase at the company in two years, following another buy from a director for 77 shares valued at just under $5,900. A number of company executives have been sellers of shares over the past two years, largely by exercising options. Overall, company insiders own ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Sketchers U.S.A (SKX)

Shares of footwear and accessory company Sketchers U.S.A. (SKX) are up about 11 percent over the past year. One trader sees a decline in the months ahead. That’s based on the April $39 put options. With 74 days until expiration, 2,003 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a 19-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.75 to make the downside bet. The stock last traded just under $45, so shares would ...
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Buy What the World Needs, Not What the World Wants

In a bull market, all sorts of investment ideas come into play. When there’s a bear market, investors can stay safe but also make money by focusing on companies that provide products and services that customers need. Defensive stocks don’t have to just be utilities and telecoms. There are a number of other sectors that fit the bill, such as industrial stocks. That space tends to get overlooked. One such player is conglomerate Honeywell (HON). The manufacturer of power units, avionics, and ...
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Insider Trading Report: LendingTree (TREE)

Douglas Lebda, CEO at LendingTree (TREE), recently added 18,268 shares. The buy increased his holdings by just over 1 percent, and came to a total cost just over $705,000. The purchase comes a week after the CEO bought 65,062 shares, paying just over $2.08 million. Going further back, some insiders have been sellers over the past year, and a company director has been a repeat buyer of LendingTree stock. Overall, insiders own 14.9 percent of the company. Shares of the lending platform ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Riot Platforms (RIOT)

Shares of cryptocurrency mining company Riot Platforms (RIOT) have been cut in half over the past year, even with shares more than double off their recent low. One trader sees the current rally continuing. That’s based on the September $8 calls. With 221 days until expiration, 7,034 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 195, for a 36-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.96 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently went for ...
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Growing Market Share Makes for Big Return Potential

There are many ways that a company’s stock can rise over time. Its earnings can grow over time, indicating a more valuable company. Or the multiple that investors are willing to pay for a company can rise as well. In today’s economic uncertainty, companies that can grab increased market share are capable seeing their multiples rise over time. And chances are when the economy recovers, so too will earnings and profit margins. One company that’s faring well on the market share front ...
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Insider Trading Report: Beacon Roofing Supply Inc (BECN)

CD&R Investment Associates, a major holder of Beacon Roofing Supply Inc (BECN), recently added 107,185 shares. The buy came to a total cost just under $6 million, and increased the fund’s sake by about 1 percent. The fund last made a buy, also for about $6 million, back in October. Since then, one company division president started a 9,009 share stake, paying about $500,000. And one company EVP was a seller of shares back in November. Overall, company insiders own 0.4 ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Wayfair (W)

Shares of internet retailer Wayfair (W) are down 60 percent over the past year. One trader sees that trend continuing over the next few months. That’s based on the May $50 puts. With 105 days until expiration, 14,221 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 416, for a 34-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $5.05 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $66, so they’d need to fall about 25 ...
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