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Energy
Energy Bears Chase Downside in Ocean Driller: Options Recap

Energy Bears Chase Downside in Ocean Driller: Options Recap

Someone seems to think the downside will continue in a debt-laden energy stock. McDermott (MDR), a provider of services like offshore drilling and engineering, has lost about two-thirds of its value in the last year. Today a large options transaction looked for the...

S&P 500 Isn’t the Only Chart Hitting New Highs for 2019

S&P 500 Isn’t the Only Chart Hitting New Highs for 2019

Stock indexes, along with crude oil, just closed at their highest levels of the year. Is it the top, or the start of another rally as fear leaves the market? Let's review some of the key points with equities in the midst of their third straight winning month. One big...

Good News Sneaks Out for Energy Sector

Good News Sneaks Out for Energy Sector

Everyone thought this week's big stories would be China or the Federal Reserve. But it might be all the good news in energy. Crude oil futures (@CL) are headed for their biggest gain in over a month after a government report showed inventories shrinking by 8.6 million...

WTI Crude Oil: Futures Contract of the Week

WTI Crude Oil: Futures Contract of the Week

When people think about "commodities," few items spring to mind faster than crude oil. Let's consider a major way to trade it: Nymex WTI crude oil futures. These contracts track the oil most commonly produced in the U.S. and fluctuate with global energy markets....

Energy Bulls Target Obscure Canadian Firm: Options Recap

Energy Bulls Target Obscure Canadian Firm: Options Recap

Energy stocks are rallying this week, and one big investor is targeting an obscure Canadian producer. Roughly 83,000 March 9 calls were bought this morning in Cenovus Energy (CVE), which extracts oil from Alberta's tar sands. The big blocks priced for $0.27 and...

Stocks Keep Climbing as Negativity Lifts

Stocks Keep Climbing as Negativity Lifts

Stocks keep rising as the fourth quarter's gloom continues to lift. The S&P 500 rose 1.6 percent between Friday, January 25, and Friday, February 1. It was the fifth gain in the last six weeks, with every major sector and index moving higher. Good economic news...

Big Trade Sees Bottom in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Big Trade Sees Bottom in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Energy stocks are bouncing from long-term lows this year, and one big investor has called a bottom in a key servicing name. Schlumberger (SLB) touched a 13-year low under $35 last month. Today, a large block of puts got sold at that level as a trader looked for the...

Bulls See More Bounce in Energy Space: Options Recap

Bulls See More Bounce in Energy Space: Options Recap

Energy stocks have gone from bad to good in the New Year, and one options trader is looking for the bounce to continue. Check out the activity yesterday in Oklahoma City-based driller Devon Energy (DVN): A block of 20,000 April 28 calls was bought for $1.48 in a new...

Bearishness Reigns in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Bearishness Reigns in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Energy's the weakest sector over the long run, and options traders are sticking with that trend. Check out this giant bearish trade in oil-field servicing company Halliburton (HAL): A block of 58,000 22-February 27.50 puts was bought for $1.45. A block of 58,000...