Unusual Options Activity: Aflac (AFL)

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 ...
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This Infrastructure Play May Prove One of the Best Income Investments Today

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 ...
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Insider Trading Report: Dentsply Sirona (XRAY)

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 ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA)

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 ...
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Stick With Great Companies in Struggling Industries for a Rebounding Market

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 ...
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Insider Trading Report: B&G Foods (BGS)

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
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Unusual Options Activity: Las Vegas Sands (LVS)

Shares of casino operator Las Vegas Sands (LVS) are up nearly 12 percent over the past year, amid a general market decline. However, one trader sees a drop ahead for shares going into the end of the year. That’s based on the December 16th $44 puts. With 29 days until expiration, 7,035 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 258, for a 27-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.48. Shares recently traded for ...
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For Great Investment Returns, Follow the Greats

Many professional investors attract followers. And rightly so. Successful fund managers have to report their holdings to the SEC. That means their activity is updated every 90 days. So it’s easy to follow along someone who’s already shown the capacity to make a market-beating return, no matter what the market condition. And in a bear market, those who follow along can potentially get into a great company at an even better price. Right now, investors are following an investment in Taiwan Semiconductor ...
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