Publications

11/1/12 Trade Alert: Medical Technology Two-Timer

1. Sell Put Credit Spread on Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) “Buy to Open” February $34 Put and “Sell to Open” February $40 Put Option Symbols: MDT130216P34 and MDT130216P40 Limit Order Price: Net credit of $1.05 or more ($105 per spread) Directional View for Underlying Stock: Neutral to slightly bullish Options for Income Portfolio: Conservative Income Margin […]… Read More

10/25/12 Trade Alert: Testing, Testing

1. Sell Put Credit Spread on Laboratory Corp of America (NYSE: LH) “Buy to Open” February $77.50 Put and “Sell to Open” February $85 Put Option Symbols: LH130216P77.5 and LH130216P85 Limit Order Price: Net credit of $2.40 or more ($240 per spread) Directional View for Underlying Stock: Neutral to slightly bullish Options for Income Portfolio: […]… Read More

10/25/12 Trade Alert: Testing, Testing

Takeover rumors swirl around this medical testing company, but its stable cash flows and shareholder-friendly stock repurchases make the company a good investment regardless.
… Read More

10/24/12 Weekly Briefing: Comparing VIX Exchange-Traded Products

With stock market volatility rising off of five-year lows, betting on increased volatility is a wise move. Besides VIX options, several VIX ETFs and ETNs are available to get the job done…. Read More

10/19/12 Trade Alert: Two Gunslinger Meltdowns and Two Rolls

1. Roll Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) to January “Buy to Close” October $45 Put and “Sell to Open” January $45 Put Option Symbols: TAP121020P45 and TAP130119P45 Limit Order Price: Net credit of $1.60 or more ($160 per spread) Directional View for Underlying Stock: Bullish Options for Income Portfolio: Conservative Income Approximate margin requirement per contract: […]… Read More

10/18/12 Trade Alert: Feeding the World is Corny

1. Sell Put Credit Spread on Monsanto (NYSE: MON) “Buy to Open” January $77.50 Put and “Sell to Open” January $85 Put Option Symbols: MON130119P77.5 and MON130119P85 Limit Order Price: Net credit of $1.50 or more ($150 per spread) Directional View for Underlying Stock: Neutral to slightly bullish Options for Income Portfolio: Conservative Income Margin […]… Read More

10/11/12 Trade Alert: Permian Power Play

1. Sell Put Credit Spread on Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) “Buy to Open” February $70 Put and “Sell to Open” February $77.50 Put Option Symbols: OXY130216P70 and OXY130216P77.5 Limit Order Price: Net credit of $1.95 or more ($195 per spread) Directional View for Underlying Stock: Neutral to slightly bullish Options for Income Portfolio: Conservative Income […]… Read More

10/3/12 Trade Alert: Second Try

Seasonality remains positive, so here goes a second attempt at gaining exposure to this rock-solid money manager.
… Read More

10/3/12 Trade Alert: Second Try

Sell Put Credit Spread on BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) “Buy to Open” January $155 Put and “Sell to Open” January $165 Put Option Symbols: BLK130119P155 and BLK130119P165 Limit Order Price: Net credit of $2.05 or more ($205 per spread) Directional View for Underlying Stock: Neutral to slightly bullish Options for Income Portfolio: Conservative Income Margin requirement […]… Read More

9/27/12 Trade Alert: Is a Hike in the Cash Distribution Imminent?

This energy MLP may be on the verge of increasing its cash distribution for the first time since 2008. Time to get in before the announcement.
… Read More