Trading Tips Blog

The market uncertainty this year over tariffs and trade has hit markets hard. It’s been especially hard to tech stocks, which have largely been leading markets higher over the past few years. While the rollout of AI is starting to look like it may slow down, rising tariffs and trade could mean that another key trend accelerates. That trend? Automation. From AI software to advances in robotics, automation trends could move higher to circumvent today’s uncertainty. That may be why shares of ...
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Ruth Porat, a director at Blackstone (BX) recently bought 296 shares. The buy increased her position by 1%, and came to a total cost of $40,342. She was the last insider to buy with a 276 share pickup back in February, paying $61,926 to do so, and similar quarterly buys going back for several years. Other company insiders have been a bit more mixed, with some moderate sales from a few directors, the company’s Chief Accounting Officer, and General Council. Overall, Read More About This

Retailer Target (TGT) has taken a 40% dive in the past year, amid rising consumer uncertainty and higher tariff rates on imported manufactured goods. One trader sees shares trending higher by the end of next year. That’s based on the January 2027 $85 calls. With 616 days until expiration, 9,500 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 340, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $23.00 to make the bullish bet. Target ...
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Investors can earn strong, market-beating returns by investing in stocks that are trending higher. This is known as momentum investing. Adding in a company with growing earnings, a growth momentum play is stronger than a weak company that’s rallying. Today, growth has been rampant, particularly in some tech sectors as AI systems have rolled out. While skepticism about AI is on the rise, some companies utilizing AI may still have considerable earnings growth ahead. One such play is Palantir Technologies (PLTR). The ...
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Gerald Johnson, a director at Caterpillar (CAT), recently bought 100 shares. The buy increased his stake by 3%, and came to a total cost of $31,848. Johnson was also a buyer in February of 100 shares, and last December. Otherwise, the company CFO sold about 20% of his stake for $3.8 million in January, and a group President sold 27% of his holdings in February for about $860,000, both at higher prices than where shares trade today. Overall, Caterpillar insiders own ...
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Telehealth platform Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) just reported a massive earnings beat, with shares up 20% on the news. One trader thinks that the stock has run too far, too fast. That’s based on the June $45 puts. With 43 days until expiration, 7,000 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 121, for a 58-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $5.15 to make the bearish bet. HIMS shares soared to about $50 ...
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Consumer spending makes up the bulk of the economy. Changing trading patterns are creating tremendous uncertainty, and there are signs that consumers are pulling back. While the extent of the pullback is unknown, it won’t last forever. And when consumer sentiment does improve, consumers will want to spend more to make up for the reduced spending during uncertain times. As that happens, many out-of-favor opportunities could soar higher. For instance, fears are mounting about a decline in travel and tourism spending. Airbnb ...
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Howard Coker, President and CEO of Sonoco Products (SON), recently bought 20,000 shares. The buy increased his stake by 4%, and came to a total cost of $823,472. He was joined by a company director, who paid $100,100 to pick up 2,246 shares a day later. Other company directors have been buyers over the past few months. Company insiders were more likely to be sellers of shares in 2024, at prices far higher than where Sonoco shares trade today. Overall, Sonoco ...
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