Insider Trading Report: Akamai Technologies (AKAM)

Thomson Leighton, CEO at Akamai Technologies (AKAM), recently added 282 shares. The buy increased the CEO’s holdings by less than 1 percent, and came to a total price just over $25,000. The buy comes a week after the CEO bought 850 shares, paying just over $75,000 to do so. This follows on a pattern of buys going back to December. Over the past year, company insiders have largely been sellers of shares, including both officers and directors. Overall, company insiders own ...
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Unusual Options Activity: PulteGroup (PHM)

Shares of residential construction company PulteGroup (PHM) are down 7 percent over the past year, about half as much as the S&P 500. One trader sees a further drop ahead for shares. That’s based on the April $50 puts. With 91 days until expiration, 8,437 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 182, for a 46-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.78 to make the downside bet. Shares recently traded for about $51, ...
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Focus on Companies Keeping Customers Content

Typically, a new industry will start dozens if not hundreds of companies before consolidating over time. Although many industries tend to consolidate into just a few companies, those remaining firms will then start to compete with each other based on how they keep customers happy in a fully developed market. Having a choice can ensure that quality doesn’t slip, and that businesses find ways to deliver better results at lower prices for their customers over time. For instance, the US airline industry ...
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Insider Trading Report: Midland States Bancorp (MSBI)

Richard Bingham, a director at Midland States Bancorp (MSBI), recently added 4,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 22 percent, and came to a total cost of $100,000. The company’s corporate council bought 2,000 shares, for just under $51,000, latest last year. Generally, Midland States Bancorp insiders have been regular and modest sellers of shares following option exercises over the past few years. Insiders at the regional bank still own about 5 percent of shares. The bank has traded flat over ...
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Unusual Options Activity: CVS Health Corporation (CVS)

Shares of drugstore and healthcare planning company CVS Health Corporation (CVS) are down about in-line with the overall market in the past year. One trader sees shares moving higher in the coming month. That’s based on the February $87.50 calls. With 31 days until expiration, 15,089 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 360, for a 42-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $3.95 to make the bullish bet. CVS shares trade close ...
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In Bear Markets, Follow Investors Looking to Unlock Value Now

While stocks have had a strong start to the year, corporate earnings show a slowdown. And interest rates are still on track to rise. Investors should generally be cautious about long-side ideas right now. One way to find the best opportunities is to look at where big-name players are going. Besides making large purchases of shares, which can help the price rise, some companies may attract interest from activist investors. These investors can help management make more profitable decisions. Currently, activist investors ...
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Insider Trading Report: Rent-A-Center (RCII)

Jeffrey Brown, a director at Rent-A-Center (RCII), recently bought 1,084 shares. The buy increased his holdings by just over 1 percent, and came to a total cost of $26,233. The director has been a quarterly buyer of shares going back to 2021. Other company insiders have been slight buyers, with a CEO buy of 40,000 shares for $1.08 million last March. The last insider sale occurred in December 2021. Overall, Rent-A-Center insiders own 11 percent of shares. The rental and leasing service ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Sabre Corporation (SABR)

Shares of travel services company Sabre Corporation (SABR) have shed about one-third of their price over the past year. One trader sees shares trending lower in the first half of this year. That’s based on the July $7.00 put. With 184 days until expiration, 42,714 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 110, for a 388-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.22 to make the bearish bet. Shares last traded for just under ...
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