CBS Analysis

CBS Corp. (CBS)

Update 8/9/2017: CBS whipsawed across a $4 span in two days after earnings were published. I exited at 25.7% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net rise of 0.8% over my two-day holding period, or a +138% annual rate. The options position produced a 34.5% yield on debit for a +6,296% annual rate.


CBS publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 11 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 31%, which is triple the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

CBS’s IV stands in the 70th percentile of its annual range and the 80th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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KORS Analysis

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (KORS)

Update 8/14/2017: KORS shares by $8 after earnings came in at $0.80 per share, above the $0.63 Street number. The stock traded sideways for four subsequent days.

Shares rose by 21.3% over my seven-day holding period, or a +1,112% annual rate. The options position produced a -50.1% loss on debit for a -2,611% annual rate.

I would have paid a debit of  $5.23 had I exited the position the session after earnings were published. Waiting cost me an additional $0.84 as I exited for a $6.07 debit. In this case the waiting tactic did not mitigate the loss.


KORS publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 11 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 47%, which is 4.6 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

KORS’ IV stands in the 77th percentile of its annual range and the 96th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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CAR Analysis

Avis Budget Group Inc. (CAR)

Update 8/8/2017: CAR zig-zagged within a $4 span for two days after earnings were published, finally settling into a sideways pattern below the pre-earnings close. I exited at 25.9% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net decline in my holding period of -3.4% over two days, or a -617% annual rate. The options position produced a 35.05 yield on debit for a +6,301% annual rate.


CAR publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 11 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 68%, which is 6.7 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

CAR’s IV stands in the 88th percentile of its annual range and the 84th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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THC Analysis

Tenet Healthcare Corp. (THC)

Update 8/8/2017: THC fell by $2 after earnings were published, recovered about half in early trading and then fell back. I exited at 18% of maximum potential profit, less than my 25% target, in order to clear room in the account for another trade.

Shares declined by 6.4% over my one-day holding period, or a -2,339.5% annual rate. Tye options position produced a 22.05 yield on debit for a +8,035% annual rate.


THC publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 11 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 76%, which is 7.4 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

THC’s IV stands in the 97th percentile of its annual range and the peak of its most recent broad movement.

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CBI Analysis

Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.  (CBI)

Update 8/14/2017: CBI fell by $6 after coming in with earnings at $3.02 per share, well below the $0.30 Street consensus. It rose by $2 over the subsequent two trading days, when I exited at $3.35 for a loss, with shares at $12.45. 

Shares declined by a net $25.1% during my seven-day holding period, or a -1,306% annual rate. The options position produced a -35.9% loss on debit for a -1,868% annual rate.

Had I exited the day after earnings were published, I would have gotten out with the stock at the same level as today, and with the option going for a debit of about $3.68. Tactically, waiting until closer to expiration cut $0.33 from my loss, thanks to the workings of  time decay.


CBI publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 11 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 94%, which is 9.2 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

CBI’s IV stands in the the peak of both its annual range and its most recent broad movement.

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The Week Ahead: Prices

It’s inflation week in economic reporting, or deflation week, or some sort of ‘flation — no one can really figure it out at this point, as the Fed raises rates to calm nearly non-existent inflation while a non-existent deflation continues to threaten the economy. Fake ‘flation, anyone?

The producer price index final demand will be published on Thursday, to followed on Friday by the consumer price index, each at 8:30 a.m. New York time. And that is pretty much the high point of the week.

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Live: Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017

8/3 – 7:05 p.m. New York time

As I expected, the protective exit orders I placed on AAPL and STX expired unfilled while I was airborne over the Pacific. Both reach the mandatory exit date on Monday, so I shall be actively working to to manage the positions.

I have updated ADM with results. I exited the position on Aug. 2 but was unable to complete results calculation because of my travel schedule.

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