SchaeffersResearch.com Market Observations

The equities market spiraled lower in an unfortunately extended trading session

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:40:00 GMT

Trading volume was notably light today, with many market participants taking a pass ahead of the long holiday weekend...(Read More)

Call traders bet AEP can charge through potential challenges on the charts

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:45:00 GMT

In last week's edition of Trading Tools, we examined Legg Mason, Inc. (LM), after the Zacks Unusually High Option Volume screener revealed an escalating demand for front-month positions...(Read More)

Traders are flocking to buy bearish bets on the languishing credit card concern

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:44:00 GMT

Puts were the option of choice Wednesday on MasterCard Incorporated (MA: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Call trading soars on drug maker amid sharp pullback

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:00 GMT

The shares of Sepracor Inc. (SEPR: sentiment, chart, options) have dropped sharply this afternoon following Wednesday's late-breaking news that its experimental depression medicine failed a clinical trial, putting the drug's future in doubt...(Read More)

Examining a sudden spike in buy-to-open put volume for this beverage issue

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Die-hard patriots took it personally last year when Anheuser-Busch was acquired by Belgian beverage giant InBev...(Read More)

A weaker-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report sends shares tumbling

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:02:00 GMT

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has dropped more than 2% in late-morning trading following a dismal nonfarm payrolls report...(Read More)

The airline issue is trying to cut labor costs to combat rising fuel prices

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:29:00 GMT

Today's column includes a bullish note for Continental Airlines, Inc. (CAL), an aggressive takeover offer for NRG Energy, Inc...(Read More)

Bulls worried that steady decline in job losses may have come to an end in June

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:54:00 GMT

Wall Street is worried this morning, and U.S. stock futures are headed sharply lower as a result...(Read More)

The dollar drops on news that China may debate proposals for a new global currency

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:18:00 GMT

After yesterday's glut of gloomy economic data, investors were somewhat reassured by today's slew of reports...(Read More)

Match your mood with the appropriate bullish option strategy

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:29:00 GMT

So, you want to trade options, do you? Luckily, you've come to the right place -- here at Schaeffer's, we're all options, all the time...(Read More)

Weighing the pros and cons of this options-trading strategy

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:15:00 GMT

In a recent edition of Advanced Options, we dissected short call spreads, a strategy bearish option bettors use to capitalize on a stock's decline...(Read More)

Options players bet on a big move for the oil and gas concern

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Valero Energy Corp. (VLO: sentiment, chart, options) has become quite popular with put traders in recent weeks...(Read More)

Examining the pros and cons of the short butterfly position

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:15:00 GMT

Welcome back to another in a series of articles that examines the thought processes behind a variety of option strategies using stock, index and/or exchange-traded fund (ETF) options...(Read More)

As the stock approaches potential resistance, speculators are rushing to buy puts

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:20:00 GMT

Put volume has been heavy lately on Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (CY: sentiment, chart, options), as noted by my colleague Nick Perry earlier this morning...(Read More)

Network specialist could benefit from an unwinding of bearish investor sentiment

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:42:00 GMT

The basis for today's Tool Box filter is the Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR)...(Read More)

Bears bet against this solar power concern as it gets squeezed between support and resistance

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:13:00 GMT

SunPower Corp. (SPWRA: sentiment, chart, options) makes solar cells and panels for governmental, residential, and commercial customers, according to Hoover's...(Read More)

The blue-chip banking issue might have some trouble selling its investment management unit

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:14:00 GMT

Today's column includes slim bids for a Bank of America Corporation (BAC) unit, a major disappointment for Force Protection, Inc...(Read More)

Stocks point toward positive open ahead of economic data

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:03:00 GMT

The major market indices came roaring back in the second quarter, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gaining 11%, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) soaring 15%...(Read More)

The greenback's newfound strength weighed on crude and gold prices

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:23:00 GMT

Stocks' stay in positive territory was short-lived today, as early gains were quickly erased on the heels of the latest economic data...(Read More)

Examining a theoretical collar on shares of an uptrending footwear firm

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:01:00 GMT

In yesterday's edition of Options 101, we analyzed collars, which are a relatively cheap way to insure against steep declines in a stock you already own...(Read More)

Options volume reveals unusual put activity for this banking concern

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Optimism has remained pretty steady toward BB&T Corp. (BBT: sentiment, chart, options) recently, with call traders dominating the stock's near-term options activity...(Read More)

Short sellers and option traders are adopting a pessimistic tone with the blue chip

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:33:00 GMT

Option players are feeling rather skeptical of American Express Company (AXP: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Buy-to-open put volume has outpaced call volume by a wide margin in recent weeks

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:55:00 GMT

Put buying is starting to dominate the options pits for Hartford Financial Services (HIG: sentiment, chart, options)...(Read More)

Examining the pros and cons of an iron butterfly position

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to another in a series of articles that examines the thought process behind a variety of option strategies using stock, index, and/or exchange-traded fund (ETF) options...(Read More)

The airline issue is selling debt in order to fund the purchase of new Boeing jets

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:27:00 GMT

Today's column includes fundraising plans from AMR Corporation (AMR), a high-profile partnership for Geron Corporation (GERN), great expectations from Ford Motor Company (F), and a bullish commentary on Amazon.com, Inc...(Read More)