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Two Tech Giants Moving in Very Different Directions

Two Tech Giants Moving in Very Different Directions

Two tech giants are moving in two very different directions as we enter the home stretch for the third quarter. Apple (AAPL) has appreciated 22 percent since the end of June. That makes it the second-best performer in the SPDR Technology Fund (XLK), with only Advanced...

Big Caps on the Move: Scanning for Breakouts in the Dow

Big Caps on the Move: Scanning for Breakouts in the Dow

It's pretty quiet today as stocks drift aimlessly before Labor Day. Dog days of summer? More like the sloth days ... Still, some members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average are melting to new highs even as the broader market snoozes in the shade. Here's a quick tool...

Greek of the Week: Theta

Greek of the Week: Theta

This is the third installment of a four-part series about options Greeks on Market Insights concluding Labor Day week. So far, we've looked at delta and gamma. This week, we'll turn to theta. Theta: T is for "time decay." Theta measures how much time value an option...

Here’s How Much Money Someone Made in Apple on Friday

Here’s How Much Money Someone Made in Apple on Friday

There's a reason why people trade options in Apple (AAPL). Check out this massive call spread that took shape in the tech giant during Friday's session. Roughly 81,400 August 215 calls were purchased in thousands of small blocks. Buyers paid $1.03 on average. A...

Not All Tech is Rolling Over

Not All Tech is Rolling Over

Earlier today, Market Insights highlighted the general weakness in technology. But there's one huge exception to that statement: Apple (AAPL). Tim Cook's smart-phone behemoth made a new high this morning, and has set new records in nine of the 13 trading sessions this...

Greek of the Week: Delta

Greek of the Week: Delta

This is the first installment of a four-part series about options Greeks that will appear on Market Insights between now and Labor Day week. Some clients may be confused by options, especially their use of Greek letters. Delta, gamma, theta, and vega. How to remember...

Not Perfect but Big Names Come Through: Earnings This Week

Not Perfect but Big Names Come Through: Earnings This Week

It hasn't been a perfect week for earnings, but the big names came through. First and foremost, Apple (AAPL) shot to a new all-time high above $200. Not only did did the tech giant beat estimates, details of the income statement revealed a company that's evolving in a...

How Time Was Money on Tech Earnings: Winning Trade in Apple

How Time Was Money on Tech Earnings: Winning Trade in Apple

Earlier this week, we outlined a potential options trade on Apple (AAPL) before earnings. That strategy hit maximum profit this morning after strong results sent the tech giant to a new all-time high. Let's take a look with TradeStation's OptionStation Pro. The green...

Know Your Options: Diagonal Spread Targets Apple Volatility Crush

Know Your Options: Diagonal Spread Targets Apple Volatility Crush

One of the most predictable things in the market is time decay after a big event like earnings. Have you ever used a diagonal spread to capitalize on the change? Today we'll see how it's done. First, remember that option premiums attempt to factor in price swings. As...