Calls, Puts & Options Trades

How to Ride Mylan’s Steady Rise

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 7, 2013

A covered call strategy is perfect for this tortoise of a stock. The generic-drug maker is creeping to new highs without much overhead resistance.

3 Companies to Profit From the Coming Manufacturing Boom

By Traders Reserve Feb 6, 2013

The U.S. is once again leading the way in "making things", and the way to play for profit is to get ahead of the curve in gas and steel plays

Print Profits with 3-D Systems

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 5, 2013

These red-hot names have come back to earth a bit, but implied volatility is still high. The options world opens up plenty of possibilities -- here's what I'm looking at.

Options for a Housing Recovery

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 5, 2013

It's hard to guess how much the homebuilding sector is recovering, and how much gas is left in the tank. If you want to play the sector, use options.

Game the Dollar’s Demise With Oil Puts

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 5, 2013

The chart for the U.S. dollar is looking gloomier, but rather than play the currency, try this options play on oil instead.

Valero Should Keep Gushing Higher

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 4, 2013

Refiner Valero Energy expectedly gapped up after its blowout earnings report last week. Those bullish about a continued push upward should consider this options trade.

All-Time Highs for Google — And a Fire Sale on Options

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 4, 2013

The implied volatility for Google is cheap relative both to its historical range and even its recent vol. Here are a couple options plays that look good as a result.

A One-Week Winner in AAPL

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 31, 2013

Who knows where AAPL stock will be in a year ... and who cares? This weekly options trade will profit if Apple shows a little sturdiness through next Friday.

GDP Sinks, Gold Soars, and Opportunity Knocks

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jan 30, 2013

'Safe-haven' investments are soaring today on a poor Q4 GDP figure. Here are two options spreads that offer positional plays on the yellow metal.

A Cautious Trade for PulteGroup’s Earnings

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jan 30, 2013

PulteGroup could follow in the footsteps of D.R. Horton and other homebuilders by rocketing after earnings. Cautious bulls should consider this options spread.

Options for the Precious Metals Conundrum

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 30, 2013

Trading the precious metals can be a dangerous game. So, is there a way to profit? Well, you could start by giving these options a try.

Score with Soaring Yields

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jan 29, 2013

If you think bond prices will continue falling (thus pushing yields higher), then consider selling puts on the Proshares Ultrashort 20+ Year Treasury Fund.

Why I Bought Puts on Hewlett-Packard

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 28, 2013

Hewlett-Packard has surged since November, but the stock looks set to underperform no matter which direction the market goes from here. Find out how to trade the next downleg in HPQ.

Starbucks Still a Hot Commodity

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 28, 2013

Starbucks' most recent earnings once again showed how its coffees still are a "must" despite the expense. Play continued bullishness through call options.

Use Options to Play RIM’s BB10 Launch

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 24, 2013

RIMM stock is in a crucible ahead of its make-or-break release next week -- here are a couple of options spreads that limit risk while still getting you directional exposure.

Options for 3 Overvalued Fad Stocks

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 24, 2013

These three stocks are destined to crater some day -- but since we don't know when, long-term puts provide a way to play these possible apocalyptic scenarios.