Publications

PG, TJX: Fresh Looks, Literally

U.S. equities roll into the week of July 28 on the back of a five‑session record streak for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, yet breadth is thinning and overbought signals are flashing as the summer rally nears its typical inflection point. A dense catalyst gauntlet looms: the FOMC meeting (Jul 29‑30), June core‑PCE (Jul 31), July payrolls (Aug 1) and President Trump’s Aug 1 reciprocal‑tariff deadline, any of which could reset rate‑cut odds and sentiment in a single headline. Event risk is magnified by mega‑cap earnings—Microsoft and Meta on Wednesday; Apple and Amazon on Thursday—that will test the market’s AI‑driven leadership. Momentum remains positive, but valuations are stretched and catalysts are clustered…. Read More

Why does OFI trade put credit spreads?

Buying the lower-strike put reduces the net income only slightly, but offers two significant advantages over simply selling a single put “naked” (i.e., without any insurance): Provides insurance against a large downside move and limits risk of loss to five points per share ($500 per contract, assuming a five-point width on the put spread). In […]… Read More

What do I do with my expiring put credit spread?

My put credit spread trade is getting close to expiration. What should I be doing? If the put credit spread is out-of-the-money — both strike prices are below the stock price If your put credit spread trade remains out-of-the-money at expiration, do nothing. This is the happy ending! Both options will expire worthless, and you’ll […]… Read More

Where can I find more options tools?

As you gain expertise, you’ll naturally have more sophisticated questions about options trading. Here are useful resources to help you explore. Options Toolbox: Jim has compiled numerous types of calculators numerous calendars that augment his trading explanations analytical tools paper trading simulators and more, from sources as diverse as the Options Industry Council, University of […]… Read More

Which prices are used for performance tracking?

Which price does Jim Fink use to calculate returns of a trade? For the opening trade in a new position, Jim will use his recommended limit order price as stated in the Alert. However, he only includes that trade in his portfolio if at least one member posts to Stock Talk that they were able […]… Read More

When will you tell me to roll?

My put credit spread is in-the-money! What should I do? When will you tell me to roll it or close it? One of the best things about trading Options for Income spreads is that once the contract fills, you’ll almost always do nothing about it for weeks or months. Unlike with equity trades, credit spreads […]… Read More

Do I really need to do the rolls?

Rolling a trade just seems like doubling-down on a loser. Do I really need to do the rolls? Often when Jim rolls, he changes the spread width from 5 points to 10 points, which means it must be backed up by $1000 instead of $500 in your margin account. Yes, it may seem that widening […]… Read More

Does this roll Alert apply to me? What do I do?

I just received a Trade Alert to roll. What should I do? Note for new traders: if you didn’t place the initial trade back when Jim first recommended it, you can ignore any subsequent Trade Alerts to “roll” that trade. Note for experienced traders: if you didn’t place the initial trade, you may choose to […]… Read More

How Can I Receive Trade Alerts by SMS/TXT?

If you also want to receive trade alert notifications by text/SMS message to your mobile phone (normal message rates apply), go to your account Dashboard (located above in the menu bar of www.jimfinkinvesting.com). In the “Your Account” dropdown menu, click on “Manage My Account”. If prompted, login with your website credentials. In the top left, […]… Read More

FTNT: Playing it Safe

A too close for comfort roll…. Read More