Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Unusually Active Tuesday Options Trading: A Deep Dive into NKE, GFS, BYND

Intriguing Movement in Nike (NKE) When scanning the underlying components of the Russell 3000 index, one cannot ignore the striking options trading activity surrounding Nike (NKE) on this particular Tuesday. A total of 50,853 contracts changed hands, reflecting roughly 5.1 million underlying shares. This remarkable figure accounts for about 47.1% of NKE’s average daily trading volume over the last month, standing at 10.8 million shares. Of special note was the heightened interest in the $90 strike put option expiring on October 18, 2024, with 2,648 contracts traded so far today, representing around 264,800 underlying shares of NKE. Is this a

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Exploring Trading Trends: ALKS, DKNG, VRT

Breaking Down ALKS Options Activity Alkermes plc (Symbol: ALKS) is under the investor spotlight today with a total of 15,015 contracts traded so far, equivalent to around 1.5 million shares. This volume makes up 68.6% of ALKS’s typical daily trading volume over the past month of 2.2 million shares. A surge in activity for the $30 strike put option expiring on April 19, 2024, has garnered significant attention, with 15,010 contracts exchanging hands, representing approximately 1.5 million shares of ALKS. The frenzy around this stock is palpable, with traders keeping a keen eye on developments. Decoding DKNG Options Movement The

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Phreesia (PHR) Surges Past 200 Day Moving Average, Skyrockets by 2.8%

A Positive Leap for Phreesia Inc Investors witnessed a momentous occasion on Tuesday as Phreesia Inc (PHR) shares soared beyond their 200-day moving average of $23.67, peaking at an impressive $23.72 per share. This marked a significant 2.8% increase in the trading day. The surge was a promising development for the company and its shareholders. A Beacon of Performance Over the past year, PHR shares have been a beacon of performance when compared to its 200-day moving average. The recent upward trend signals a robust financial health and strategic decision-making by the company. The journey from a low point of

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Market Rollercoaster Plunges: Durable Goods Orders Beat, Consumer Confidence Dives

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones took a steep nosedive following the release of disappointing consumer confidence data. However, a silver lining emerged as durable goods orders surpassed market expectations. While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also tumbled, the former suffered its third consecutive daily decline. In parallel, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), affectionately dubbed Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” secured its third consecutive victory. Let’s delve further into today’s market landscape, which includes: Exciting prospects for ConocoPhillips shares. Two cannabis stocks making waves amidst Germany’s legalization movement. Exciting upgrades for STX, promising trials for Viking Therapeutics, and a sweet new partnership

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Reality Behind the Rise and Fall of Magnificent 7

When 2023 dawned, the Magnificent 7 stocks, including the tech behemoths that shaped the S&P 500, dominated the financial landscape, propelling the index to a staggering 24% gain. Without these tech giants, the S&P 500 would have delivered a mere 8% return, underscoring their unparalleled influence. Thanks to the index’s market cap-weighted construction, every uptick in these seven companies sent ripples across the index, magnifying their effect. Last year, their collective weight in the S&P 500 surged to 29%, a historical high. If the index had been evenly weighted, it would have posted a modest 12% return, highlighting the dominance

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Unraveling the Oversold Tale of Goosehead Insurance (GSHD)

Warren Buffett’s Wise Words Legendary investor Warren Buffett famously advises to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful. In financial circles, one measure used to gauge the level of fear in a particular stock is the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which ranges from 0 to 100. Stocks are deemed oversold when their RSI dips below 30. On a tumultuous Tuesday trading session, shares of Goosehead Insurance Inc. (Symbol: GSHD) plunged into oversold territory with an RSI of 28.8, dipping as low as $62.7701 per share. For comparison, the current RSI of the S&P 500 ETF

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Rise of ‘AI For Good’ as an Essential Force in Society, According to Veritone CEO

Veritone IncVERI CEO Ryan Steelberg stresses the importance of guiding the rapid technological advancement in artificial intelligence, claiming, “Technology innovation is way ahead of the appropriate amount of controls and disciplines that governments and their regulators can devise and enforce.” He emphasizes the responsibility of AI development companies in ensuring safe and transparent deployment of innovations in the sector. Steelberg expressed these sentiments during a recent Benzinga webinar. He underlines the necessity for companies like Veritone, Amazon.com Inc AMZN, and Microsoft Corporation MSFT to uphold a culture of transparency in AI development. This, he believes, is crucial to ensure that

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Frenzied Tuesday Option Activity: VKTX, COIN, W

Outlandish Trading Volume Hits Viking Therapeutics Inc (VKTX) A whirlwind of option activity whipped through the trading floor today, leaving Viking Therapeutics Inc (VKTX) investors in a tailspin. A staggering 90,968 contracts swapped hands, equivalent to a whopping 9.1 million shares. This surge accounted for approximately 74.5% of VKTX’s typical daily trading volume over the past month, standing at 12.2 million shares. The $100 strike call option expiring March 28, 2024, emerged as a star player with 7,141 contracts changing hands, representing about 714,100 VKTX shares. Curiously eyeing the trading mayhem, one could visualize VKTX’s trailing twelve-month trading history with

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Unveiling the Upward Surge: A Glimpse into ELS’s 3% Yield Territory

As we scour the stock universe, Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc (Symbol: ELS) emerges triumphant, breaching the 3% yield threshold on Tuesday. Grounded in a quarterly dividend sitting pretty at $1.91 annualized, the stock juggled hands for as little as $63.47. Dividends, dear investors, are the unsung heroes of returns. Over time, they have handed investors a tidy sum of the stock market’s gains. Let’s delve deeper. Imagine, back on 5/31/2000, you forked out $78.27 for iShares Russell 3000 ETF (IWV) shares. Fast forward to 5/31/2012; each share waved a $77.79 tag, marking a $0.48 dive or a 0.6% loss in

March 26, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Resilience of Williams (WMB) in Yielding 5%

Analyzing Williams (WMB) Stock Performance When it comes to evaluating the performance of dividend stocks, Williams Cos Inc (Symbol: WMB) stands out as a company offering a yield above the coveted 5% mark—one that undoubtedly grabs the attention of investors seeking stable returns. Understanding the Significance of Dividends Dividends have historically been a vital component of stock market returns, providing a substantial portion of total gains. To put it into perspective, envision purchasing shares of the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) nearly two decades ago. While the price per share may have seen a slight decline over the years, the dividends