Profit With Winning Companies Providing “Slow and Steady” Returns

Many investors have made money by buying the dip and being greedy while others are fearful. In today’s fearful markets, there are plenty of bargains. But some companies may continue to struggle right now, leading their share price lower. Buying companies who have seen their stock price increase this year may be a better way to go. Those companies that can deliver now can likely continue higher no matter what market conditions develop. Playing to that momentum could fare well. For instance, ...
Read More
|

Insider Trading Report: Caesars Entertainment (CZR)

Michael Pegram, a director at Caesars Entertainment (CZR), recently added 25,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by about 31 percent, and came to a total cost just over $1.18 million. This is the first insider buy since June, when a number of directors also picked up shares. Over the past three years, insiders have mostly been active as sellers, with buying activity only picking up this year. Overall, insiders own 0.4 percent of the company. The casino operator has seen shares ...
Read More
|

Unusual Options Activity: Hanesbrands Inc (HBI)

Shares of apparel company Hanesbrands Inc (HBI) have lost 60 percent of their value in the past year. One trader sees a further decline in shares in the next few weeks. That’s based on the December 16 $5 put options. With 36 days until expiration, 8,489 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 101, for an 84-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of he puts paid $0.08 to make the bet. Shares recently traded for just over ...
Read More
|

Stick With Companies That Can Build Their Customer Base in Poor Markets

Some companies are cyclical, seeing customers appear in good times and disappear in bad. Those customers can be individuals, or entities like corporations or governments. Companies that are building out corporate or government contracts right now may not fully book that revenue for some time. But when they do, if markets are looking up, they’ll be rewarded for solid long-term decisions being made today. That’s why investors should find companies ramping up their customer base in the current challenging markets. One company ...
Read More
|

Insider Trading Report: Sealed Air Corp (SEE)

Sergio Pupkin, a senior vice president at Sealed Air Corp (SEE), recently picked up 1,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 2 percent, and came to a total cost of just over $44,000. He was joined by a director making a first-time buy of 1,200 shares, paying out about $50,000 for the stake. This marks the first insider activity at the company since November 2020. Over the past three years, insider buys have beaten out total insider sales. Overall, company insiders ...
Read More
|

Unusual Options Activity: Starbucks (SBUX)

Shares of coffee chain Starbucks (SBUX) have rebounded strongly off of earnings in the past few days. One trader sees a further rally in shares over the months ahead. That’s based on the March $115 calls. With 127 days until expiration, 86,914 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 330, for a staggering 263-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.89 to make the bet. Shares recently traded around $90, so they would ...
Read More
|

Companies that Can Smartly Cut Expenses Can Deliver Big Profits

During a boom, companies tend to need more employees or services immediately. So they pay market rates… and often end up overbuilding when the boom comes to an end. Many companies have already started laying off employees, or have held off on hiring new ones. If a company can find a way to do the same level of business (or more) with fewer employees, those lower expenses can lead to a bigger profit. That’s true even if the underlying business isn’t ...
Read More
|

Insider Trading Report: Newell Brands (NWL)

James Craigie, a director at Newell Brands (NWL), recently bought 10,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by nearly 46 percent, and came to a total cost of just over $133,000. This marks the first insider buy at the company since mid-2021. Company directors have been sellers of shares this year until this latest buy. Over the past three years, insider buying has far exceeded insider selling. Overall, company insiders own 0.5 percent of shares. Shares of the home goods manufacturer are ...
Read More
|