A listener question started the great collar debate of 2012. Listen for yourself here.
Option Block 205: The Great Collar Debate
read more
Barclays (BCS) Shows Lending Momentum with IV Skew at a Multi-Year Low
After being down nearly 20% over the summer, Barclays shares have rallied steadily through the fall and are set to close the year with a 35% gain. In spite of recent performance, the bank is still trading at a 25% discount to its peers.
Playing Dell Options for a Dividend
One of the interesting stories coming out of the Fiscal Cliff is the juggling of cash positions that is occurring among many of the high market cap companies that produce a lot of cash.
Volatility Trading Digest – Strategy Selections
In this issue, we update our market indicators along with a short strategy comment about closing hedge positions followed by some interesting new Apple Inc. (AAPL) suggestions from an experienced well-known contributing author.
Volatility Trading Digest – Low Volume Profit Taking
For those of us attempting to understand market movements we propose yearend profit taking, before a likely capital gains tax rate increase next year, along with “fiscal cliff” uncertainty producing a wait and see attitude, are the two best explanations for the recent low volume up drift among others floating around.
12/10 Pre-Market
A pre-market snapshot for Monday, December 10
Option Block 204: Juicy AAPL Puts
Uncle Mike makes tentative steps towards getting back into AAPL.
Investing with Options
Today?s market activity feels a lot like it did the day before, and the day before, and so on. Without a resolution it is going to be tough for the market to get a breeze.
Selling AAPL Puts: Naked or as a Spread
One of the bullish strategies in the arsenal of an options trader is that of selling puts.
Trading the Volatility Spike in YUM! Brands
YUM! Brands has been regarded for some time as a play on discretionary spending in China ? as part of the shift from exports to domestic consumption.
Playing VIX Term Structure
Over the years, I have made the argument repeatedly that I think SPX puts do a better job of hedging than VIX calls, especially in low VIX environments.
12/5/12 Pre-Market
A pre-market snapshot for Wednesday, December 5, 2012