Insider Trading Report: Oil-Dri Corp of America (ODC)

Allan Selig, a director at Oil-Dri Corp of America (ODC), recently added 1,000 shares to his holdings. The buy increased his stake by 2.2 percent, and came to a cost of just under $34,000. He was also the last company insider to buy shares in 2020, with a 1,000 share buy in October. Company insiders have been both buyers and sellers of shares in the past year, but the company Chairman has been a large net seller in that time. Overall, ...
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How Small Moves Can Leverage a Company to Higher Growth

The energy industry has changed rapidly over the past decade. The growth of alternatives, and their improving costs, have made them viable compared to the use of fossil fuels. Even oil is under distress thanks to the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles impacting demand. It’s clear that fossil fuel companies need to embrace this change, and many already have. But even those with a small stake at a giant company can push through smart changes that improve sustainability and profitability. That ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Ford (F)

Automaker Ford (F) has seen shares rally over 30 percent since the start of the year, from $8.50 to $11.50. One trader sees the move as too much, too quick. That’s based on the September 2021 $10 puts. Over 10,020 contracts traded, a 20-fold rise in volume from the prior open interest near 500. With shares at about $11.50, it implies a drop of nearly 15 percent for the trade to move in-the-money. The trader paid about $1.22 for the option. Shares ...
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Insider Trading Report: Phillips 66 Partners LP (PSXP)

Phillip Barrington, a director at Phillips 66 Partners LP (PSXP) recently increased his holdings by 3.4 percent with the addition of 1,445 shares. He paid just over $30,000 to do so. He was joined by director Mark Haney, who bought the same amount, paid nearly the same amount, and increased his holding by 4.6 percent. The similarity of these buys is likely a purchase related to their board duties, although Barrington did make several larger purchases last year on his own. Overall, ...
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Analysts Cool on Coffee — Here’s One Way to Play for Safe Profits

Restaurant stocks have fared relatively well the past few months on news of a Covid vaccine rollout. While that’s still an ongoing concern, the big move higher for restaurant stocks suggests a pause right now. That’s the case with MKM Partners, who has reiterated a neutral rating for coffee chain Starbucks (SBUX). Given that “sell” is a four-letter word on Wall Street, even a neutral rating suggests poor performance ahead. The rationale for the move is that same-store sales are likely ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Facebook (FB)

Shares of social media behemoth Facebook (FB) have rallied modestly in the past few days as the backlash against social media firms has started to recede. At least one trader sees shares heading fundamentally higher. That’s based on the June 2022 $320 calls. Over 9,400 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 193, for a 49-fold rise in volume. The option expires in 511 days. Shares trade near $272, and would need to rally about 17 percent for this trade ...
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Unusual Options Activity: Verizon (VZ)

Shares of telecom company Verizon (VZ) have been in a downtrend in recent weeks. However, one trader sees shares bouncing higher in the next month. That’s based on the February $57 calls. Over 21,050 contracts traded, a 152-fold rise in volume from the prior open interest of 138. With 29 days to expire, the trade is right at-the-money, as shares recently dipped under $57. The option buyer paid $1.24 on average. Shares of the telecom are down about 5 percent over ...
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Insider Trading Report: Owens & Minor (OMI)

Robert Henkel, a director at Owens & Minor (OMI), recently added 1,000 shares to his holdings. The buy increased his stake by 5 percent, and came to a cost just over $27,000. Over the past year, company directors have been buyers of shares, picking up over 100,000 shares by a number of directors. One company Vice President has been a seller of shares in the past year, at a lower price than where shares trade today. Overall, insiders own about 3 ...
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