Trading Tips Blog

Companies that can pivot to new business lines can thrive. Those that don’t are likely to be poor performers at best, or go out of business. One European conglomerate, in business for over a century, is looking to expand into the cloud space, going toe-to-toe with big US tech giants. That’s resulting in strong operational performance, and a chance to move beyond industrial roots. That player? Siemens (SIEGY). The German company was founded in 1847, and is one of Europe’s largest companies ...
Read More

Edward Ludwig, a director at CVS Health Corp (CVS), recently picked up 3,000 shares. The buy increased his stake by nearly 12 percent, at a total value of around $240,000. This marks the first insider buy since last February, also from the same director. Company insiders have largely been sellers over the past three years, including both executives and directors. As with many large-cap companies, the sales appear tied to the exercise of stock options. Overall, company insiders own just 0.2 ...
Read More

Shares of oil and gas equipment company NOV (NOV) have been generally heading higher over the past year, with a number of healthy pullbacks along the way. However, one trader sees the possibility for another move higher in the next few months. That’s based on the November $14 calls. With 102 days until expiration, over 10,450 contracts traded against an open interest of 148, for a 71-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the calls paid about $1.13 to make the ...
Read More

The semiconductor shortage continues to wreak havoc on a number of industries. But other key tech components, and the companies that manufacture them, are also performing strongly right now. That includes everything from server components to hard drives. There’s been a tug of war between those two businesses over the years, based on falling, and now rising, PC sales. The Covid-driven boom in PC sales has been particularly good for hard drives. That’s where Western Digital (WDC) has been a winner. The ...
Read More

CD&R Investment Associates IX, a major holder at Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN), recently added 108,056 shares. The buy increased the fund’s stake by 0.75 percent, and came to a total price of just over $6 million. This marks the second buy from this fund this year, constituting the sole insider buys. Otherwise, company insiders, including directors and executives, have largely been sellers of shares, although their sales are far less than this fund’s purchases. Overall, company executives and directors own just ...
Read More

Shares of gambling and gaming company International Game Technology (IGT) have been trending down over the past few weeks as the threat of further economic lockdowns has risen. However, one trader sees the possibility for a rally higher. That’s based on the January $27 calls. With 168 days until expiration, over 10,055 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 101, a 99.5-fold jump in volume. The buyer of the calls paid about $0.48. Shares last traded around $18, so they’d need ...
Read More

Price is what you pay, value is what you get. For some companies, it’s hard to get an exceptional value. Consumer goods companies, which tend to have solid profit margins thanks to brand loyalties, tend to be expensive to buy into, although they may be worth it over time. With inflation fears picking off individual stocks right now, however, a few buying opportunities in this space are emerging with an eye for a rebound in the months ahead. For instance, Clorox (CLX) ...
Read More

Karole Lloyd, a director at Aflac Inc (AFL), recently bought another 1,000 shares. The buy increased her stake by just under 3 percent, and came to a total cost of just over $55,000. This marks the second buy from a company insider this year, following another director buy back in early June. However, company insiders, including directors and executives, have overall been large sellers of shares over the past 3 years. While robust sellers of shares, company insiders still own over ...
Read More