Oligopoly Stocks Set for Solid Returns on a Return to Pre-Pandemic Spending

Last week saw a large number of companies reporting earnings for the second quarter of the year, as well as a strong GDP report. The most important data? The fact that the US economy has now surpassed its pre-Covid levels. There’s still a long way to go, especially among lower-income workers. But the trend also points to more profits ahead in one key sector. That sector? Financial services, especially credit card spending. Mastercard (MA) reported solid numbers last week, hitting $4.5 billion ...
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Insider Trading Report: Brown & Brown (BRO)

Palmer Proctor, a director at Brown & Brown Inc (BRO), recently bought 2,000 shares. The buy increased his stake by over 5.5 percent, and came to a total purchase price of just under $110,000. This is the second insider buy of the year, following a 10,000 share buy from another director in January. That buy is already up 26 percent. Overall, company insiders in the c-suite have been net sellers over the past 3 years. Overall, company insiders own over 17 ...
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Unusual Options Activity: ExxonMobil (XOM)

Shares of energy giant ExxonMobil (XOM) have traded about in line with the energy sector in the past few months. First, shares saw a huge rise on rising oil prices, then were hit in recent weeks on the latest OPEC news. One trader sees the starting recovery in shares to continue. That’s based on the August $64 calls. Expiring in 18 days, over 18,720 contracts traded against an open interest of 143, for a 131-fold explosion in volume. The buyer of the ...
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Earnings Momentum in Industry Leaders Should Bode Well for Shareholders

With a large number of companies reporting this week, hundreds of firms have been updating their shareholders. A lot of attention has gone into mega-cap names, particularly in the tech space. But any company in any sector that’s a leader and showing earnings growth right now could be an attractive investment. That’s doubly true for any company that’s been growing over the past few quarters and has gotten some momentum going. One such non-tech name is McDonald’s (MCD). The company beat second ...
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Insider Trading Report: Golub Capital BDC (GBDC)

David Golub, CEO of Golub Capital BDC (GBDC) recently picked up 10,000 shares. The buy increased his stake by 0.24 percent, and came to ta total valuation of just under $160,000. He was joined by Lawrence Golub, company Chairman, who also bought 10,000 shares, paying about the same amount. The two have been active and steady buyers since 2019, and there have been no insider sales over the past 3 years. Overall, company insiders own just under 7 percent of company ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

Shares of semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) surged to new all-time highs following earnings this week one trader sees shares potentially moving even higher. That’s based on the November $85 calls. With 112 days until expiration, over 12,580 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 736, for a 17-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the calls paid about $16.15 to make the trade. With shares around $98 following their earnings bump, the option is about $13 in-the-money, leaving about ...
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Big Tech Wins on Earnings, But Poor Guidance Creates Buying Opportunities

Investors are looking for guidance right now, and many companies simply aren’t delivering. That’s a lingering effect of the pandemic that will eventually go away. Until then, even a company that reports great earnings for the prior quarter can see their shares sell off as traders look forward. That’s been the case just this week with major companies reporting such as Microsoft (MSFT) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Both companies saw an immediate drop in share price when they reported earnings ...
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Insider Trading Report: Anthem (ANTM)

Ryan Schneider, a director at Anthem (ANTM), recently picked up 1,300 shares. The buy increased his stake by 38 percent, and came to a total price of just under $500,000. Schneider was the last insider to buy at the company as well, picking up shares back in February. Overall, company insiders, including both C-suite executives and directors, have been big sellers of shares in the past three years. Overall, company insiders own just 0.2 percent of company shares. In the past year, ...
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