COST Analysis

Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST)

Update 5/26/2017: COST gapped to the outside after earnings were published and then retraced a portion of the rise. I exited a week before options expiration, at 24.9% of maximum potential profit.

Shares rose by 2.0% over one day, or a +746% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.2% yield on debit for a +12,102.63% annual rate.


COST publishes earnings on Thursday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time eight days hence, on June 2.

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

COST’s IV stands in the 52nd percentile of its annual range and the 94th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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MRVL Analysis

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (MRVL)

Update 5/30/2017: MRVL rose sharply after earnings were published, remaining high today despite an intra-day decline. I exited at 42.2% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net rise of 3.2% over five days, or a +235% annual rate. The options position produced a +73.1% yield on debit for a +5,339% annual rate.


MRVL publishes earnings on Thursday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time 22 days hence, on June 16.

Implied volatility stands at 39%, which is 3.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

MRVL’s IV stands in the 49th percentile of its annual range and the 88th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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BIG Analysis

Big Lots Inc. (BIG)

Update 5/26/2017: BIG rose sharply to the upside after earnings were published and then whipsawed, giving most of the gain back. I exited at 24.9% of maximum potential profit.

From entry the day before to exit, shares produced at net rise of 0.4%, or a +128% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.2% yield on debit for a +12,122% annual rate.


BIG publishes earnings on Friday before the opening bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time 22 days hence, on June 16.

Implied volatility stands at 43%, which is 4.3 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

BIG’s IV stands in the 67th percentile of its annual range and the 98th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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GME Analysis

GameStop Corp. (GME)

Update 5/26/2017: GME continued its downtrend after earnings were published, retracing a bit of the decline as the day wore on. I exited a week before options expiration at 24.9% of maximum potential profit.

Shares declined by 5.3% over one day, or a -1,946% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.1% yield on debit for a +12,088% annual rate.


GME publishes earnings on Thursday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of weekly options that trade for the last time eight days hence, on June 2.

Implied volatility stands at 55%, which is 5.5 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

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

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MDT Analysis

Medtronic plc. Ordinary Shares (MDT)

Update 5/25/2017: MDT whipsaws after earnings were published, rising and then falling, and then rising again to recover most of the decline. I exited at slightly below my entry price, at 40.1% of maximum potential profit.

From entry the day before to exit shares had a net declined by 0.5%, or a -176% annual rate. The optons position produced a 66.9% yeld on debit for a +24,417% annual rate.


MDT publishes earnings on Thursday before the opening bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on June 2.

Implied volatility stands at 20%, which is 1.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

MDT’s IV stands in the 37th percentile of its annual range and the 84th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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PVH Analysis

PVH Corp. (PVH)

Update 6/6/2017: PVH gapped sharply to the upside after earnings were published and then slow retraced about 60% of the rise. I exited at my target price, 25.0% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net rise of 3.0% over the 13-day lifespan of the position, or a +85% annual rate. The options position produced a 33.3% yield on debit for a +936% annual rate.


PVH publishes earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time 23 days hence, on June 16.

Implied volatility stands at 35%, which is 3.3 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

PVH’s IV stands in the 53rd percentile of its annual range and the 84th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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ANF Analysis

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF)

ANF publishes earnings on Thursday before the opening bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on June 2.

Implied volatility stands at 71%, which is 6.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

ANF’s IV stands in the 91st percentile of its annual range and the 97th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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DLTR Analysis

Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR)

Update 5/25/2017: DLTR declined sharply after earnings were published, and I exited a 42.1% of maximum potential profit. In the hour after my exit it rose sharply. Both the decline and the increase remained within the boundaries of my position’s wings.

Shares at exit had declined by 0.1% from when I entered the day before, or a -40% annual rate. The options position produced a +72.6% yield on debit for a +26,496% annual rate.


DLTR publishes earnings on Thursday before the opening bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on June 2.

Implied volatility stands at 34%, which is 3.3 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

DLTR’s IV stands in the 58th percentile of its annual range and the 86th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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NTAP Analysis

NetApp Inc. (NTAP)

Update 5/25/2017: NTAP rose after earnings were published, and I exited at 47.1% of maximum potential profit.

Shares rose by 0.4% over one day, or a +143% annual rate. The options position produced an 89.2% yield on debit for a +32,539% annual rate.


NTAP publishes earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

I shall use the series of monthly options that trade for the last time nine days hence, on June 2.

Implied volatility stands at 36%, which is 3.4 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

NTAP’s IV stands in the 53rd percentile of its annual range and the 79th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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