KSS Analysis

Kohl’s Corp. (KSS)

Update 8/14/2017: KSS’s earnings came in at $1.24 per share, well below the $1.86 expected by the Street. Shares declined by by $4 the session after earnings were published and then immediately moved upward by $3.50 before slipping again to the downside. I exited about $1.20 above the low, at $38.71 per share.

Shares declined by 8.7% over my five-day holding period, or a -637% annual rate. The options position produced a -17.9% loss on debit for a -1,308% annual rate.

KSS had 2.82% score on the Zacks Investment Research earnings surprise predictor, providing before the fact evidence (perhaps) that the trade ought to have been passed.

I would have exited at a $3.35 debit had I done so the session after earnings were published. Continuing to hold added an additional 50 cents to the debit, and I exited at $3.85.


KSS publishes earnings on Thursday before the opening bell.

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

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

KSS’s IV stands in the 89th percentile of its annual range and at the peak of its most recent broad movement.

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M Analysis

Macy’s Inc. (M)

Update 8/10/2017: M whipsawed up then down after earnings were published, recovering a portion of the decline. I exited the roller coaster ride at 29.5% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net declined of -4.1% over my one-day holding period, or a -1,488% annual rate. The options position produced a +41.3% yield on debit for a +15,268% annual rate.


M publishes earnings on Thursday before the opening bell.

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

Implied volatility stands at 57%, which is 4.7 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

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

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TRIP Analysis

TripAdvisor Inc. (TRIP)

Update 8/9/2017: TRIP gapped up by $4 immediately after earnings were published, fell by $8 and then recovered by $4, ending up about where it had closed the day before earnings. I exited a bit below target, at $2.48, or 21.3% of maximum potential profit.

Shares showed a net decline of -8.25 over the day I held the position, or a -2,978% annual rate. The options position produced a 27.0% yield on debit for a +9,861% annual rate.


TRIP publishes earnings on Tuesday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 55%, which is 5.6 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

TRIP’s IV stands in the 96th percentile of its annual range and the 93rd percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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FOSL Analysis

Fossil Group Inc. (FOSL)

Update 8/14/2017: FOSL shares fell about $4.50 after reporting earnings at a $0.61 loss per share, below the Street expectation of a $0.39 loss. Shares traded sideways for two sessions, and the fell an additional 50 cents, then traded sideways for an additional two sessions. I exited with shares at $8.31.

Shares declined by 32.5% over my six-day holding period, or a -1,977% annual rate. The options position produced a -49.9% loss on debit for a -3,033% annual rate.

The Zacks Investment Research earnings surprise predictor showed a 200% negative earnings surprise coming. Had I used the ESP as a screen, I would have passed on the trade.

Had I exited the first session after earnings were published, the cost would have been a $3.23 debit, or $0.32 below the $3.55 I paid to get out. It was the decline in the third session after publication that made holding a losing tactic.


FOSL publishes earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 99%, which is 9.9 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

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

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HTZ Analysis

Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (HTZ)

Update 8/14/2017: HTZ missed earnings estimate by a large margin. The Street expected a 23 cent loss per share; it got a $1.90 loss. The stock price rose (yes, “rose” is correct) by nearly $3 in the session after publication, and continued to rise steadily for the three ensuing days. I exited with shares at $19.50.

Shares rose by 33.1% over my six-day holding period, or a +2,014% annual rate. The options position produced a -41.5% loss on debit for a -2,525% annual rate.

Zacks Investment Research gave HTZ a 1.32% earnings surprise predictor score, probably not enough to warn me off of the trade.

Had I exited in the first trading session after earnings were published, I would have paid a $3.40 premium to exit. As it is, the price of getting out was $4.12, a significant worsening of the loss. In hindsight, an immediate exit was the best strategy.


HTZ publishes earnings on Tuesday after the closing bell.

I shall use options that trade for the last time 10 days hence, on Aug. 18.

Implied volatility stands at 102%, which is 10.3 times the VIX, a measure of the volatility of the S&P 500 index.

HTZ’s IV stands in the 91st percentile of its annual range and the 88th percentile of its most recent broad movement.

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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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