Use Short-Term Fear to Build a Lasting Legacy with Long-Term Winners

2023 has been a banner year for AI stocks. However, as with anything tech related, it’s a sector prone to big swings. The secret to succeeding with such investments is to look at the fundamentals. If a company can still deliver – and in the tech space, new competitors create obsolete ideas all the time – it could be a winner when shares are hit hard. Buying or adding to such positions when they’re down can make for big profit opportunities ...
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Insider Activity Report: Advance Auto Parts (AAP)

Kristen Soler, EVP at Advance Auto Parts (AAP), recently bought 1,000 shares. The buy increased her stake by 9 percent, and came to a total cost just under $53,000. This marks the first insider activity since September, when a company director bought 8,670 shares for just under $500,000. And other company directors made a cluster of buys back in June, when AAP traded about $13 per share higher than today’s prices. In total, Advance Auto Parts insiders own 1.1 percent of ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Marvell Technology (MRVL)

Semiconductor developer Marvell Technology (MRVL) is up 21 percent over the past year, beating the S&P 500 by about 6 points. One trader sees further outperformance in the months ahead. That’s based on the March $52.50 calls. With 95 days until expiration, 9,396 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 166, for a 57-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.50 to make the bullish bet. Marvell recently traded for about $52, so shares ...
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For Volatile Sectors, Look for Companies with Strong Cash Flows

Some sectors are secular, which offer a long-term growth trend. That’s where growth stocks such as those playing to the AI trend have seen great results this year. Other sectors are cyclical, leading to some years with great returns, followed by poor ones. However, knowing how to play the cycle can lead to great returns for those looking to buy and hold for a few months to a few years. Investing in beaten-down leaders with strong cash flows is the key. In ...
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Insider Activity Report: Big Lots (BIG)

Christopher McCormick, a director at Big Lots (BIG), recently bought 12,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 31 percent, and came to a total cost of $75,480. This marks the first insider activity since June, when two company EVPs and a director bought a combined 23,000 shares. Going further back, the company’s President and CEO was a buyer in May for 51,000 shares. And the last insider sales occurred in April 2022. In total, Big Lots insiders own 3.5 percent ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Truist Financial Corporation (TFC)

Regional bank Truist Financial Corporation (TFC) has lost 20 percent of its value over the past year as interest rates have continued to rise. One trader is betting on a move higher in the coming months. That’s based on the February 16, 2024 $35 calls. With 70 days until expiration, 10,205 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 176, for a 58-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.15 to make the bullish ...
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Earnings Matter More than Short-Term Market Fears

The stock market is always in a mood. Usually, it’s upbeat, reflecting the fact that stocks rise over time. Sometimes, however, it’s dour. And that mood goes from the overall market to specific sectors, and even down to individual stocks. As long as individual companies can grow, they can overcome any short-term market fear in time. Even when that fear seems overwhelming, or a potential existential threat to a business. For instance, J.M. Smucker (SJM) has had a tough year. The food and ...
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Insider Activity Report: Vital Energy (VTLE)

Lori Lancaster, a director at Vital Energy (VTLE), recently picked up 1,000 shares. The buy increased her stake by 134 percent, and came to a total cost just over $45,000. This marks the first insider buy at the company in the past two years. Company insiders have been sellers of shares over the past two years. That includes the exercise of stock options. Insiders have generally been sellers with shares at prices from $50-89, far higher than where Vital currently trades. Overall, ...
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