Calls, Puts & Options Trades

Drill for Upside in the Oil Fund

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Mar 1, 2012

Think oil prices will move higher or even hold steady into the spring? Consider a moderately bullish options strategy.

Crossing a ‘Bridge’ to Covered-Call Success?

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Mar 1, 2012

A steady uptrend and strong fundamentals make Chicago Bridge and Iron Company (CBI) a good choice for covered-call traders.

Targeting Instant Cash with Weekly GM Put Options

By Michael Shulman, Editor, Options Income Blueprint Feb 29, 2012

With lots of room to rise between now and potential resistance at $30, GM looks ripe for a put-selling strategy.

4 High-Risk, High-Return Covered Calls

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 29, 2012

A look at stocks you can buy that might not be a great idea to hold for the long term, but that you actually want to get called away after selling calls against them.

Goldman Sachs Looks Golden for Bullish Option Traders

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 29, 2012

Goldman Sachs (GS) bulls can capitalize on the stock's and the financial sector's strength with a short-term bull put spread.

Bears Shopping at Kroger Ahead of Earnings

By David Russell, optionMONSTER Feb 28, 2012

Options traders use April puts and March calls to target eventual downside in Kroger. The grocer reports earnings on Thursday.

2 Bullish Options Strategies for a Whole Foods Breakout

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 28, 2012

Option traders looking for Whole Foods to break out to the upside could consider one of two strategies using April-dated options.

Seek Profits in Google With Options

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 28, 2012

Google is too rich for most stock traders' blood, but you can use this bullish options spread to take advantage of a move higher in the shares.

A Short-Term Trade Idea for Netflix Bears

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 27, 2012

With more companies entering the streaming video business, can Netflix keep afloat? Long puts may help the bearish cause.

Microsoft Puts: A Little Bet on a Big Move

By Beth Gaston Moon, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 24, 2012

Microsoft put buyers dream big in the short term with a sizable (but cheap) bet.

Differing Put Strategies Hit Live Nation and BP

By Chris McKhann, optionMONSTER Feb 24, 2012

Live Nation puts are active in the option pits after earnings disappoint, and BP sees put sellers bet on support.

Big Blue Poised to Break Out

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 23, 2012

Traders confident that IBM will break out to another all-time high should consider making this call vertical spread play.

Bank of America (BAC) Call Buyers Jump Ship

By Beth Gaston Moon, InvestorPlace Contributor Feb 23, 2012

Options players continue their guessing games with high-volatility Bank of America (BAC).

The Gold Rise Is Back in Play

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 22, 2012

GLD looks poised to make another run. Bullish options investors can take advantage of gains with this play.

The Trouble With Trading Transport

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Feb 22, 2012

When oil prices rise, transportation stocks ... well, they do a lot of things. The oil-transport correlation is shaky, so keep your eye on the charts instead.