The Market Is Clear: When in Doubt, Buy Quality

Some stocks in the same industry may have a vastly different valuation than others. This is typically the market’s way of indicating which company is the industry leader. That may be higher profit margins, or a better product, or even more loyal customers. This notion recently appeared on the market when chipmaker Intel (INTC) reported earnings. As with its prior reports, the numbers were okay, but poor guidance and a sense that the company was treading water operationally led to a ...
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Insider Trading Report: Mueller Industries (MLI)

Gary Gladstein, a director at Mueller Industries (MLI), recently picked up 11,399 additional shares. The buy increased his stake by over 9 percent, and came to a total cost of just under $544,000. This is the first insider buy at the company since February. A number of company insiders have been regular sellers of shares, including both directors and the company CEO over the past three years, even as shares have trended higher. At present, company insiders own 2.8 percent of ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Devon Energy Corporation (DVN)

Shares of energy explorer and producer Devon Energy Corporation (DVN) are up nearly four-fold in the past year as energy prices, particularly natural gas, are on the rise. One trader sees shares moving even higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the December $46 calls. With 52 days until expiration, 6,145 options traded against a prior open interest of 217, for a 30-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the calls paid $0.94 to make the trade. With shares currently just ...
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Inflation-Resistant Pricing Power Makes this Company Likely to Keep Rallying

Investors are looking for how companies are navigating the worst environment for inflation in 25 years. Many companies are doing well, having found ways to cut costs, or raise prices without losing out on sales. Some of the best companies do a little bit of both. That’s the case with Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG). The company reported solid earnings, as higher costs were offset by higher menu prices, allowing the company to report earnings of $7.02 per share, beating estimates of ...
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Insider Trading Report: Lamb Weston Holdings (LW)

Robert Niblock, a director at Lamb Weston Holdings (LW), recently bought 2,500 shares. The buy increased his stake by 27.5 percent, and came to a total price of $141,000. The buy came just a few days after another director bought 5,000 shares, increasing his holdings by 32 percent and at a cost of just under $279,000. The buys come a few months after the company President and CEO made the last insider sale. Overall, insiders own just over 1 percent of ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Vodafone (VOD)

Shares of telecom giant Vodafone (VOD) have been trending down since May. However, one trader sees a potential rebound in shares ahead in the next six months. That’s based on the April $17 calls. With 171 days until expiration, 60,066 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 364, for a 165-fold explosion in volume. The buyer of the calls paid $0.50 to make the trade. The decline in company shares have led to a drop around $15.50, so a move to ...
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Wall Street’s Latest Rumor Creates a Buying Opportunity (But Not Where You Think)

Merger and acquisition activity is alive and well. More importantly, even rumors of a possible deal are capable of moving shares of companies large and small alike. That’s the case with Pinterest (PINS). News broke that the social media site might be acquired around $70 per share, at a valuation of nearly $39 billion. The potential buyer? Payment services company PayPal (PYPL). On its face, the deal doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. These are two very different companies ...
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Insider Trading Report: Truist Financial Corp (TFC)

William Rogers, CEO of Truist Financial Corp (TFC), recently picked up 67,000 shares. The buy increased his stake by nearly 7 percent, and came to a total price of just over $4.14 million. This marks the first insider buy at the bank since July 2020. Otherwise, company insiders have been regular sellers of shares, even as the bank’s price has risen in the past year. The last cluster of insider buying occurred in early-to-mid 2020, amid the covid bear market. Insiders own ...
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