Author: Jay Soloff

What Do Bank Earnings Say About the Recession?

What Do Bank Earnings Say About the Recession?

The market has settled down to some extent after one of the most volatile months on record. However, the reprieve may be short-lived as we head into what is likely to be an interesting earnings period. We all know that most companies are suffering due to the pandemic; the question is, just how much damage […]

Trade of the Week: Small Caps

Trade of the Week: Small Caps

Options trading continues to be very active in this market, even though daily volatility of stocks moves has dropped in recent weeks. Index and ETF options remain popular methods for trading market direction. They are also very useful instruments for hedging long stock portfolios. For instance, iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) can be used as […]

How To Generate Income While Owning Stocks

How To Generate Income While Owning Stocks

Although the market has been extremely volatile, it doesn’t mean investors are only looking at directional trades in which they try to make money on big market moves. There are plenty who are still want to generate a regular income from their investments. Of course, dividend stocks are the primary form of income generation through […]

Trade of the Week: Zoom

Trade of the Week: Zoom

It probably comes as no surprise, but there has been heavy options activity in Zoom Video Communications (ZM). The popular video communication platform has seen its usage skyrocket as people are forced to work from home. Everyone from school teachers to business executives are using ZM extensively for online meetings, lectures, and discussions. Traders seem […]

Is This Volatility Trade Crazy Or Brilliant?

Is This Volatility Trade Crazy Or Brilliant?

As the reality of COVID-19 sets in, many nations around the globe are digging in for a prolonged battle against the virus. Of course, this isn’t a traditional fight: it involves quarantines, social distancing, and significant disruptions to our usual way of life. Even as many companies and schools temporarily close, it’s been business as […]

Trade of the Week: Crude Oil

Trade of the Week: Crude Oil

One of the secondary reasons for the market crash (after COVID-19) has been the extreme selloff in the price of oil. Crude oil has dropped to around $20 a barrel for the first time since 2002 due to a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. One popular method for trading crude oil is United […]

Is It Finally Time For Gold To Shine?

Is It Finally Time For Gold To Shine?

Investors are on the hunt for bargain stocks with Congress reaching a deal on a $2 trillion stimulus package to fight the economic damage done by COVID-19. For instance, on the day the stimulus package seemed likely to pass, the S&P 500 index shot up over 9%. That same day, gold futures soared, up nearly […]

One Way To Trade Ultra-High Volatility

One Way To Trade Ultra-High Volatility

It’s not hyperbole to say that this is as crazy as the financial markets ever get. There may have been more shocking news items in 2008 (Lehman going bankrupt), but the huge daily swings we have seen in stocks and other asset classes are unprecedented. A market that has frequent, huge swings in prices is […]

Trade of the Week: Financial Sector Stocks

Trade of the Week: Financial Sector Stocks

With stocks in a bear market and potentially more selling ahead, the Fed has cut interest rates to 0% and started a new $700 billion quantitative easing program. This could cause a substantial amount of volatility in the market, but especially in rate sensitive sectors like financials. In fact, a trader just bought a large […]