Strong Earnings Will Continue to Beat a Weak Economy

Investors remain concerned as inflation is running at its hottest since 1981, and as commodity prices have spiked higher, weighing on the overall economy. But no matter how good or bad the economy has been, individual companies that have been able to grow their earnings can thrive in any market. That’s especially true when a company is in a space where poor performance in a weak economy is expected. One such example is American Airlines (AAL). The company reported that its Read More
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Insider Trading Report: Invesco (IVZ)

Trian Fund Management, a major holder at Invesco (IVZ), recently picked up 3,724,600 shares. The buy increased the fund’s stake by just over 7 percent, and came to a total price of just over $86 million. The buy comes as the fund bought nearly 10 million shares back in March, paying more than $210 million for that stake in total. Going further back, company insiders have been regular sellers of shares. Overall, company insiders at the asset management firm own a ...
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Unusual Options Activity: PulteGroup (PHM)

Shares of homebuilder PulteGroup (PHM) have been sliding in recent months. But one investor sees the possibility for a rally in the coming months. That’s based on the July $45 calls. With 92 days until expiration, 27,149 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 119, for a 228-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $2.18 to get into the trade. Shares recently traded for just under $42, so shares would need to rally ...
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Downgrades For Top Companies Offer a Counter-Intuitive Buying Opportunity

Wall Street analysts tend to be quick to upgrade stocks that are rallying, and quick to downgrade a stock after it’s fallen. Traders who take the opposite tack tend to cash out during a rally, and tend to end up buying in when shares are at a bargain price. With many companies already down heavily, it’s no surprise that downgrades continue to trickle in, even though the worst may have passed for the stock market for some time. Case in point? Nvidia ...
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Insider Trading Report: Confluent (CFLT)

Brad Gerstner, a major owner at Confluent (CFLT), recently added 439,200 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 8.3 percent, and came to a total price of just over $17.1 million. That follows up on two buys he also made in the last month, one for 175,000 shares just over $6.7 million, and one for 201,700 shares for just over $7 million. Going back further, company insiders have been more prone to sell shares. Insiders own just under 0.4 percent of ...
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Unusual Options Activity: General Motors (GM)

Shares of General Motors (GM) are near a 52-week low thanks to high inflation, supply chain shortages impacting auto production, and the view of a slowing economy. One trader is betting on a rebound in the coming weeks. That’s based on the June $42 calls. With 65 days until expiration, 24,263 contracts traded hands, a 144-fold surge in volume compared to the prior open interest of 169. The buyer of the calls paid $2.32 to get into the trade. Shares recently traded ...
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The Best Market Defense Is… A Good Defense Stock

Historically, defense stocks haven’t necessarily related to the defense and aerospace industry. However, in today’s economic and geopolitical climate, it’s not a bad place to look. The space has tended to consistently outperform the overall stock market, and even with a spike in recent weeks, shares of many big names haven’t reached an overvalued level right now. That points to further moves higher, even if geopolitical tensions calm down. One such name in the space is General Dynamics (GD). The defense company ...
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Insider Trading Report: Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY)

Kevin Sheehan, Interim CEO at Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY), recently added 10,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 6.5 percent, and came to a total purchase price of $405,800. This marks the first insider buy of the year. The CEO was the last buyer of 2021 as well. However, other companies insiders, all C-suite executives, have all been regular sellers of shares going back to 2019. Overall, insiders own about 2.2 percent of the company. Shares of the entertainment company ...
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