KSS Analysis

Kohl’s Corp. (KSS)

Update 5/11/2017: KSS zig-zagged sharply after earnings were published, ending up at my exit down 2.5%, or an annual rate of 925%. The options position produced a 45.7% yield on debit for a +16,686% annual rate.

The exit price was a $2.10 debit, or 31.4% of maximum potential profit.


KSS publishes earnings on Thursday before the opening bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 48%, which is 4.8 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

KSS’s IV stands in the 78th percentile of its annual range and the 90th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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WFM Analysis

Whole Food Market Inc. (WFM)

WFM publishes earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 37%, which is 3.4 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

WFM’s IV stands in the 62nd percentile of its annual range and at the 87th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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JWN Analysis

Nordstrom Inc. (JWN)

Update 5/15/2017: JWN declined sharply after earnings were published and gapped down further after earnings were published. I exited the position for a $7.11 debit.

Shares declined by 15.3% over five days, or a -1,116% annual rate. The options position produced a -51.6% loss on debit for a -3,768% annual rate.


JWN publishes earnings on Thursday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 46%, which is 4.6 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

JWN’s IV stands in the 63rd percentile of its annual range and the 97th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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WIX Analysis

Wix.com (WIX)

WIX publishes earnings on Wednesday before the opening bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 89%, which is 9.1 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

WIX’s IV stands in the 94th percentile of its annual range and the 93rd percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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YELP Analysis

Yelp Inc. (YELP)

Update 5/20/2017: YELP gapped sharply to the downside after earnings were published, and the short puts were assigned on May 10. I exited the resulting shares the next day, along with  the long puts and the short calls, leaving only nearly worthless long calls in the position. They expired without value on May 20.

Shares showed a net decline of 18.6% over 11 days, or a -619% annual rate. The options and shares from the assignment produced a -4.4% los son debit for a -146% annual rate.


YELP publishes earnings on Tuesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 70%, which is seven times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

YELP’s IV stands in the 87th percentile of its annual range and the peak of its most recent broad movement.

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NVDA Analysis

NVIDA Corp. (NVDA)

Update 5/15/2017: NVDA gapped sharply to the upside immediately after earnings were published and continued the rise for four trading days. I exited for a loss for a $15.14 debit.

Shares rose by 27.1% over six days, or a +1,650% annual rate. The options position produced a -1,149% annual rate.


NVDA publishes earnings on Tuesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 49%, which is 4.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

NVDA’s IV stands in the 66th percentile of its annual range and the 98th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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DIS Analysis

The Walt Disney Co. (DIS)

Update 5/11/2017: DIS fell after earnings were published and then moved into a sideways correction. I exited at 18.7% of maximum potential profit.

Shares declined by 1.9% over two days, or a -339% annual rate. The options position produced a 23.1% yield ond ebit for a +4,206% annual rate.


DIS publishes earnings on Tuesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 19%, which is 1.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

DIS’s IV stands in the 52nd percentile of its annual range and the 76th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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Live: Tuesday, May 9, 2017

5/9 – 3:30 p.m. New York time

I entered three new positions, all timed to coincide with earnings announcements. They are DIS, NVDA and YELP. Also, I exited P for a profit.

I analyzed WIX but declined to take the trade.

My exit order on OAS at $0.65 has yet to be filled and appears unlikely to be. However, I shall leave the order live until the closing bell and update if it should be filled.

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PAA Analysis

Plains All American Pipeline LP (PAA)

PAA publishes earnings on Monday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time 11 days hence, on May 19.

Implied volatility stands at 28%, which is 2.8 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

PAA’s IV stands in the 28th percentile of its annual range and the 76th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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