Options Trading

Facebook Stock: Almost Back to Square One!

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 31, 2013

Facebook stock has made a run near its IPO price thanks to a 40%-plus run in the past few trading days. What does that portend for the longs?

Rock Retail With These XRT Calls

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jul 31, 2013

The Retail SPDR (XRT) has outperformed the S&P 500 with nary a hiccup this year and is now building a base from which it could break out to the upside.

Traders Beware: Don’t Chase the Transports Higher

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 31, 2013

A break below lateral support in iShares Dow Jones Transportation Average (IYT) could accelerate the downward move.

Crude Pullback Spells Options Opportunity

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

Crude oil is at an ideal spot for dip-buyers to come out of the wordwork, which would help set up this high-probability play in USO for success.

Equifax in the Midst of a Notable Breakout — Buy Now

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 30, 2013

A break past lateral resistance saw strong follow-through buying.

Paint Your Pockets Green With SHW Options

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 29, 2013

While Sherwin-Williams is reeling from an earnings miss, it still has enough technical support to make this bullish options trade successful.

Yum! Brands Looks Appetizing From a Technical Perspective

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 29, 2013

The odds favor a breakout past resistance in Yum! Brands (YUM) sooner rather than later.

More Sorrow Ahead for Joy Global

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jul 26, 2013

Basic materials stocks have been dismal this year ... and the pain isn't over for Joy Global. Here's a conservative way to play for more downside.

Options: Back in the Straddle

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 26, 2013

Using a short straddle -- selling both calls and puts against a position -- can give you solid income and a solid hedge even if the options execute.

Panera Bread Done Rising?

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 26, 2013

Panera Bread Co. (PNRA) has broken below an uptrend line dating back to 2008.

GOOG Volatility Is Making Options Silly-Cheap

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jul 25, 2013

Even if you don't have a particularly strong stance on Google, its options are getting too cheap to ignore. Consider this straddle covering the next two months.

BB&T: A Simple Trade for a Simple Chart

By John Kmiecik, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 25, 2013

Regional financial stock BB&T (BBT) is showing a straightforward chart and is getting fuel from strong fundamental performance. Don't overthink this. Go long.

Amazon: Primed for a Post-Earnings Pop?

By Joseph Hargett, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 25, 2013

A controlled pullback from all-time highs indicates that Amazon has baked in warnings from GOOG and EBAY. That could help AMZN after earnings, fueling this options trade.

CAT’s Out of the Bag and It Doesn’t Look Good

By Serge Berger, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 25, 2013

Serge Berger is the head trader and investment strategist for The Steady Trader. Sign up for his free Weekly Market Outlook Video here. Caterpillar (CAT)…

Gold Likely Will Turn South at This Crossroads

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Jul 24, 2013

Bulls and bears alike will be watching gold's $1,350 zone with rapt attention. Those with a negative view could front-run a potential breakdown with this simple options play.

If You Want to Play Facebook Earnings, You’ll Need Guts

By Joseph Hargett, InvestorPlace Contributor Jul 24, 2013

The crossroads of Wall Street optimism for Facebook earnings and FB's history of disappointment is reason for caution, but aggressive traders might consider this contrarian play.