SchaeffersResearch.com Market Observations

The major market indexes finished lower, but are still maintaining technical support

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Stocks started the day on a negative note, after the latest quarterly earnings results from Dell (DELL) hit the Street with a resounding thud...(Read More)

Uncovering a potential long put ladder on the uptrending retailer

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

In last week's edition of Trading Tools, we analyzed financial firm Comerica Incorporated (CMA), thanks to a short put spread highlighted by the Schaeffer's Most Active Options filter...(Read More)

Put volume has ramped up on the oil major after a technical rejection

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:05:00 GMT

Puts are quickly becoming the options of choice on Chevron Corporation (CVX: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Examining strategies covered in previous columns

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:00 GMT

During the past several weeks, I've covered a number of options strategies, from the simple (strips and straps) to the more complex (broken wing butterfly)...(Read More)

Put volume is unusually high, even as the equity extends its intermediate-term uptrend

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:32:00 GMT

Warner Chilcott Plc (WCRX: sentiment, chart, options) has become a favorite target of put players...(Read More)

Sampling some hot option plays on Patriot Coal (PCX), E TRADE Financial (ETFC), and Suntech Power Holdings (STP)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Welcome to our new video series, Options Stew, where we take a look back at what's been cookin' in the option pits this week...(Read More)

The bank's biggest shareholders are up in arms about its rich employee bonus pool

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Today's column includes a bonus battle for Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS), job cuts at Nokia Corporation (NOK), a boosted notes offering for DryShips Inc...(Read More)

U.S. stock futures drop sharply after poorly received corporate earnings

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:00 GMT

The technology sector is in trouble this morning, as traders have reacted negatively to Dell Inc.'s (DELL) third-quarter earnings report...(Read More)

Crude futures snapped their winning streak as the greenback gained ground

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:17:00 GMT

The Chicago Board Options Exchange's (CBOE) Market Volatility Index (VIX) - best known as the broad-market "fear gauge" - epitomized the mood on the Street today, advancing almost 5%...(Read More)

Profiting from Black Friday with online retailers

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:30:00 GMT

The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, with the promise of yet another Black Friday looming next week following Thanksgiving...(Read More)

Examining a theoretical iron butterfly on Kirby Corporation (KEX)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:50:00 GMT

In Wednesday's edition of Advanced Options, we analyzed the iron butterfly, which allows accurate traders to profit from a stock's apathetic price action...(Read More)

Options trader bets on range-bound Dell shares prior to earnings

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:15:00 GMT

After the close of trading tonight, Dell Inc. (DELL: sentiment, chart, options) is expected to report a third-quarter profit of 28 cents per share, down from earnings of 37 cents per share for the same quarter last year...(Read More)

Strong price action and investor pessimism make Massey Energy calls quite attractive

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:00 GMT

This column is designed to introduce you to some of the valuable trading tools available on the SchaeffersResearch.com Web site...(Read More)

The stock is underperforming its Dow peers, but option players are downright bullish

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:38:00 GMT

It's been a pretty good year for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), with only five of the 30 blue chips currently resting in negative territory for 2009...(Read More)

The fertilizer firm continues to reject a buyout bid, despite apparent investor support

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Today's column includes the latest merger-and-acquisition developments from CF Industries Holdings, Inc...(Read More)

U.S. stock futures fall ahead of economic data

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:02:00 GMT

The bull rally is apparently beginning to wane on Wall Street, and traders appear ready to take some profits off the table...(Read More)

Gold futures tagged another record high on a weak dollar and inflationary fears

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:19:00 GMT

The tech sector led a broad-based retreat today, with stocks snapping their recent winning streak...(Read More)

Options trader places bet on declining time decay for this natural gas concern ahead of expiration

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:10:00 GMT

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK: sentiment, chart, options) has drawn considerable put volume today, as the shares follow the rest of the market lower...(Read More)

Without spot-on accuracy, this multi-tiered strategy can sting like a bee

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:40:00 GMT

In a recent edition of Advanced Options, we analyzed the short call butterfly spread, which allows traders to capitalize on a stock's sharp move higher or lower...(Read More)

With the stock soaring to new highs, investors appear to be seeking put protection

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:43:00 GMT

Put options have rarely been more popular on Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Retailer attracts heavy skepticism amid stellar uptrend

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:05:00 GMT

Retailers continue to line up for the earnings confessional, and one particular high-flyer is slated to release its quarterly report next week...(Read More)

This oil services concern offers a compelling reason to find a seat on the bullish bandwagon

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Rowan Companies Inc. (RDC: sentiment, chart, options) performs contract drilling of oil and gas wells...(Read More)

The credit card concern expands its Internet presence with a key acquisition

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Today's column includes merger-and-acquisition news from American Express Company (AXP), disappointing drug news from Genzyme Corporation (GENZ), a more cautiously bullish outlook for Baidu, Inc...(Read More)

U.S. stock futures flat to higher ahead of key economic data

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Wall Street appears to be headed for a relatively flat open this morning, as U.S. stock futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are up 19 points at 10,417, or about eight points above fair value...(Read More)

The SPX finished atop the 1,100 marker for the second straight session

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:22:00 GMT

Stocks flirted with breakeven for most of the session today, as the Street weighed muted inflationary measures against disappointing economic data and a batch of humdrum earnings reports...(Read More)