Trading Tips Blog

Shares of big data analysis company Palantir Technologies (PLTR) have soared over 50 percent in the past month. One trader is betting that shares will give up some of that gain in the coming weeks. That’s based on the June 16th $12.50 puts. With 21 days until expiration, 3,924 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 122, for a 32-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.77 to make the bearish bet. Palantir last ...
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It’s easy to say that there’s a lot of market uncertainty right now. But no matter what happens, there will always be uncertainty. And investors who wait for a clearer picture on how things develop don’t get great prices when buying assets. That’s why value investors start to buy during market panics, even if it’s not near the bottom. Today, investors can find companies that are making big investments now, even amid all the uncertainties facing markets today. While the economy looks ...
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Francis Saul, CEO and major holder at Saul Centers Inc (BFS), recently added 750 shares. The buy increased his stake by less than 1 percent, and came to a total cost of $26,384. The buy came less than two weeks after the CEO bought 10,000 shares, at a cost just under $334,000. And the company President and COO also picked up 3,500 shares at a cost of $115,500 earlier this month. Overall, company insiders own 46.2 percent of shares. The mixed-use retail-oriented ...
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Casino operator Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has had a great year, with shares up over 80 percent. One trader is betting the good times will continue to roll. That’s based on the September $45 calls. With 114 days until expiration, 76,065 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 363, for a staggering 210-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $16.15. Shares recently traded for just under $60, meaning the options are about $15 in-the-money, ...
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Sometimes a company makes a misstep that can cost it customers in the short term. Other times, a misstep can be more permanent in nature. The question is how each specific opportunity plays out. Since each situation is different, it helps to look at the strength of the market reaction. And how competitors are faring as well. If a company faces trouble in a bear market, it may get overlooked. But it may also shine a favorable light on a competitor. Recently, ...
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Vikram Atal, President and CEO at PRA Group (PRAA), recently bought 40,000 shares. The buy increased his holdings by 60 percent, and came to a total cost just under $753,000. He was joined by two directors. One bought 12,000 shares, paying about $229,000. Another bought 7,500 shares, paying just under $142,000. Insiders have otherwise been sellers of shares over the past two years, at price more than double where shares trade today. Overall, company insiders own about 1.9 percent of shares. The ...
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Ride share service Uber Technologies (UBER) has had a strong rally, with shares up 68 percent over the past year. One trader is betting that the rally has stalled out. That’s based on the December 15 $40 puts. With 205 days until expiration, 3,004 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 107, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $4.80 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded just over $39, so ...
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The economic data in the past week shows a slowdown in consumer spending. As a major part of the economy, that’s a big deal. Yet retailers are reporting better-than-expected numbers. That suggests there may have been too much pessimism in the short term. It also suggests retailers with a cost advantage can likely fare well in today’s environment. That bodes well for most big box players. But one is king of them all. That winner is Walmart (WMT). Their earnings not only ...
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