Calls, Puts & Options Trades

Insurance ETF Earnings Trade

The insurance sector has been red hot, and a good run of earnings reports this week should keep that momentum intact.

USG Corp-USG Options Active

USG Corp. (USG) is up on strong volume and very unusual options trading volume.

Go Long Retailers, Short Real Estate With These ETFs

Use options on retail and real estate ETFs to amplify your returns while playing the current trends in these sectors.

Regional Bank Stocks – 2 Ways to Short Bank Stocks

While the big investment banks may be OK, regional banks are in for a rough third quarter.

Office Depot-ODP Earnings Trade

Office Depot (ODP) looks to be setting up for a strong move following next week's earnings report, making the ODP May 8 Calls attractive here.

6 Option Trades on ETFs for the Global Recovery

With the United States and other world economies rebounding, it's time to focus on the market segments that will benefit most from an economic recovery.

Citi Options Most Actively Traded

Citigroup (C) has the most actively traded options, leading some to conclude that traders are bullish on the stock, but there may be less here than meets the eye.

AT&T Earnings Trade

With shaky fundamentals, a weak chart and unreasonably high sentiment is, there isn't much to like about AT&T (T) at this point.

Straddle Apple-AAPL to Profit from the Stock’s Wild Ride

Apple (AAPL,) seems to set a new 52-week high every few days. A straddle play gives you the opportunity to cash in if the ride continues or win big if the bottom falls out under AAPL shares.

Option Alert – The Best Way to Play Goldman Sachs (GS) Now

If you're looking for an outlier trade on Goldman Sachs (GS), these puts offer a blend of the highest reward versus premiums paid.

Trade Options on Currency ETFs to Profit From the Eurocrisis

Despite what the news headlines say, the Greek debt issue is not resolved. Find out how to trade the longer-term demise of the euro and pound.

Google-GOOG Earnings Trade

Google (GOOG) makes for an interesting earnings trade, because it typically reports the night before expiration day. Find out how to play it.

VIX Bottom – Bottom-Fishing Cheap Options is an Expensive Game

Options are so cheap right now it's hard not to buy them in hopes that volatility will spike from its incredibly low levels. But trying to time a volatility bottom can be costly.

Intuitive Surgical-ISRG Earnings Trade

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) tends to move sharply after earnings, and usually in a positive direction. Find out why we anticipate another surge this week.

Taxes on Option Trades

Tax day is just around the corner. Do you know how to treat options on your tax return?

Target-TGT Earnings Trade

The crowd is bearish on Target (TGT), but we think the stock will head higher into its earnings reports, forcing the bears to cover and giving us a nice profit in these call options.

GS Recommends MCD Options, But There May be a Better Option Trade

Two Goldman Sachs analysts recently recommended some McDonald's (MCD) call options, but there are a few issues with their argument, and perhaps even a better trade.

Kick Off Earnings Season With This Retail Trade

Target (TGT) is beginning to outperform, yet the bears continue to bet against it. Find out which call options to buy ahead of its earnings report.

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund VEVFX Unimpressive Out of the Box

The Vanguard Explorer Value Fund (VEVFX) just opened to investors with a subscription period beginning in March. With the money held in cash, the fund began investing in equities at month-end. As I told you in December, when Vanguard first filed papers to open the fund, Explorer Value will focus on small- to mid-sized value companies, which Vanguard sees as an open niche in their actively managed fund lineup.