Unusual Options Activity: Tesla Motors (TSLA)

Shares of electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors (TSLA) are down about 40 percent from their highs of last year. One trader sees shares rebounding in the next 11 months. That’s based on the September 2023 $360 calls. With 344 days until expiration, 8,553 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 506, for a 17-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $26.42 to make the bet. Shares last traded for just under $250 per share, ...
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This Consumer Brand Is Priced for a Growth Move Ahead

Consumers tend to find companies they like, and then stick with them. That allows successful consumer companies to build an ecosystem of products, including those that need to be upgraded every few years. Investors who target these companies in a market downturn can fare well thanks to lower prices. And they can also get in ahead of a new piece of consumer tech, which may give shares a quick lift higher. One consumer tech leader is Sony Group (SONY). The electronics conglomerate ...
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Insider Trading Report: United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI)

Douglas Alexander, CEO at United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI), recently added 2,932 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 5.4 percent, and came to a total cost of $99,600. This is the second buy form the CEO this year, after a 3,438 share buy back in March. Otherwise, company insiders have largely been sellers in the past three years, with the last insider buying window occurring back in early 2020. Overall, company insiders own about 1.1 percent of shares. The specialty food ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Block (SQ)

Shares of payment processing company Block (SQ) are down 75 percent from last year’s peak. One trader is betting on an oversold bounce higher for the stock from here. That’s based on the November $55 calls. With 44 days until expiration, 7,752 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 193, for a 40-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $7.13 to make the bullish bet. The stock last traded for about $62 so the ...
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Buy The World’s Best Brands at Multi-Year Lows

The economy is slowing. But it’s not ending. While some companies may have liquidity issues or lose market share in the coming months from a slowdown, great companies will build on their success to thrive in the next bull market ahead. Investors looking to go long today should consider industry-leading companies that have leading brands. These companies tend to get better pricing, and therefore better protection from inflation. And they tend to have higher profit margins. Those are the perfect trends to ...
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Insider Trading Report: Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE)

Joel Wilentz, a director at Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE), recently picked up 3,200 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 1.3 percent, and came to a total cost just under $30,000. He was joined by another director who bought 2,500 shares on the same day, paying just under $24,000. That director increased his holdings by 18 percent. Over the past three years, insider buys have been far greater than insider sales, but most of those buys occurred 2-3 years ago. Overall, Read More
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Unusual Options Activity: United Airlines Holdings (UAL)

Shares of United Airlines Holdings (UAL) have declined 36 percent in the past year amid a dropping market and higher energy costs. One trader sees further downside ahead. That’s based on the January 2025 $20 puts. With 836 days until expiration, 16,154 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 171, for a 94-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $3.11 to make the bearish bet. Shares of the airliner recently went for about ...
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Buy Companies on the Way to Getting Bought Out

There are few surefire ways to profitably invest in the short-term. But investors who target companies whose shares are being rapidly bought by institutional investors can likely see a big win in a short amount of time. That’s because some companies become known as acquisition candidates well before an official announcement. And those who buy early can own shares ahead of a buyout. The return from such a trade may not be huge, but it will likely be more consistent than ...
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