Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is a wildly popular ETF that tracks the Nasdaq-100. It’s a tech-heavy index that has been in a sideways pattern for much of the last year. When a stock is moving sideways, a covered call can be a good way to optimize returns while holding the shares. In this case, […]
Silvergate Capital (SI) is a crypto-friendly bank that is down over 60% in a week (at the time of this writing). The regional bank is getting hit hard after admitting the company has concerns about its operational viability after the collapse of the crypto market in recent months. Several short-term options block trades suggest that […]
A popular method of trading the energy sector is by using the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE), which tracks the energy stocks of the S&P 500. A strategist placed a call ratio spread last week that likely signals bullish expectations in energy stocks through April. A ratio spread is a way to reduce the […]
Interest rates have been the focus on 2023 so far (to the surprise of no one). One way to trade interest rates is by using ProShares Ultrashort 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TBT). TBT moves with the direction of rates (yields) and opposite the direction of bond prices. With rates the highest they’ve been in […]
One of the most active ETFs in terms of options trading is the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG). The most popular high yield bond ETF, HYG trades over 400,000 options contracts per day on average. A trader recently placed 7,000 of what appear to be HYG covered calls. The position could […]
Electric vehicle companies have come back to earth over the last year or so, with several high fliers taking it on the chin. Lucid (LCID) is an electric car company that may have a bright future but has seen its stock dive in recent months. However, lately, options traders appear to be selling puts in […]
Software company Fastly (FSLY) had a rough 2022, but things are looking up for the company so far in 2023. Analysts have recently upgraded the stock, which also posted better than expected earnings last week. At least one trader believes the positive momentum may continue. The trader purchased a 10,000-lot call spread tied to stock […]
Natural gas has been on the decline for several weeks and it has taken natural gas producers down with it. One producer, Antero Resources (AR), may be set for a rebound, according to the options market. A trader purchased 6,000 of what appear to be bullish call spreads in AR that expire in March. It […]
Oil giant BP (BP) posted strong earnings last week, accompanied by a dividend hike and share buyback. The stock price jumped from $34 to over $38 in just two days. Judging by a block trade in BP options, the stock could remain elevated into March. A trader purchased 10,000 covered calls which collect about 1% […]
Embattled gym equipment company Peloton (PTON) has reversed course in 2023. The stock is up a whopping 114% for the year. A recent block of PTON options suggest there could be another 30% of upside in the next month or so. An out-of-the-money calendar spread traded last week that is maximized if PTON ends up […]
