Author: Jay Soloff

Trade of the Week: SPY

Trade of the Week: SPY

Using covered calls on index ETFs is a popular way to produce additional cash flow from holding stocks.  For instance, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is not only the most heavily traded ETF in the world, but it’s also commonly used for covered call trades.  A large block of covered calls seemingly traded last […]

Can You Use Stocks For Bond-Like Returns?

Can You Use Stocks For Bond-Like Returns?

One way to increase your cash flow from owning stocks is to write an in-the-money- covered call on a dividend stock.  Last week, a trader sold a call on AT&T (T) that was below the stock price and doesn’t expire until next January.  The purpose of the trade is to collect premium from the call […]

Trade of the Week: GLD

Trade of the Week: GLD

This week we are highlighting the most popular gold ETF which tracks the physical asset.  What we see here are multiple trades placed in the same week by different traders. Both of these trades are indicating very bullish expectations from traders.  Is this simple 4 letter code the secret to 100% gains in 72 hours? […]

Trade of the Week: Emerging Markets

Trade of the Week: Emerging Markets

 The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is a very popular stock ETF which tracks companies in emerging market countries. The ETF is commonly used for asset allocation purposes in portfolios to gain exposure to the emerging markets asset class.  Last week, a very large block trade occurred, which was likely a covered call trade. […]

Trade of the Week: Chewy

Trade of the Week: Chewy

Block trades can be useful in determining what smart money sentiment is on certain stocks. For example, a large put spread traded last week in Chewy (CHWY). The pet supplier site has seen its share price rebound off the lows in recent weeks. However, this recent put spread suggests there could be further downside ahead. […]

Is Bed, Bath & Beyond Going To Zero?

Is Bed, Bath & Beyond Going To Zero?

Once a popular meme stock, Bed, Bath & Beyond (BBBY) could be in trouble.  The stock price has recently shot higher on news that insiders are buying the shares.  However, a large purchase of put options that expire in January of 2024 suggests there could be significant downside in the stock. This put position will […]

Trade of the Week: The Energy Sector

Trade of the Week: The Energy Sector

There was quite a bit of unusual options action in the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) last week. Energy has been in the spotlight with the price of crude oil plunging in recent days.  However, a large ratio call spread in XLE suggests that energy stocks may have more room to rise this year.  […]

How Squeeze Extra Cash From Your Bond Funds With Options

How Squeeze Extra Cash From Your Bond Funds With Options

With interest rates moving higher, so are bond yields.  However, bond funds still aren’t that exciting from a yield perspective.  For instance, iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) has a dividend yield of only 1.5%. One way to boost the cash flow from popular bond funds like IEF is to sell calls against the […]

Trade of the Week: High Yield Bonds

Trade of the Week: High Yield Bonds

A massive options trade occurred last week in iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG).  HYG is a massively popular high yield bond fund that also has a very active options chain.  A put spread was recently sold on HYG with over 150,000 contracts per leg.  This trade is likely meant to boost “yield” […]