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VRT hit the ball out of the park and I bought back my 10 Puts for a 78% gain.
Closed: NLOP for a 100% gain and also closed CGTX for a small one.
I can't imagine having a taxable trading account without margin to avoid "trading violations", among other things.
Very well said Eric.
We need to find a livable planet in the next 100 years, to move to and then mass that one up also, probably.
We should be testing the 50dayMA in SPX, however I expect a few to many Bears to show up around 5130, if they fail in their try to push the prices down, we should hit new highs by June.
I do not have a Roth account, so I never followed those rules.
Very few people escaped the penalties of trading violations. I did not, actually 2 years ago I was in the penalty box for 90 days. I do not go on margin, but several stocks I hold are on a margin account.
As might be expected with the dysfunctional systems at Merrill Lynch, when I open their Margin Account Application
It shows my Trading Account which has margin approved, and my Roth account.
"Based on your login, you have no accounts eligible for margin." LOL
Merrill is little changed from when I first did business with them for 3 or 4 months when I was 16 years old. When I noted their defects my grandfather suggested Sutro & Co which was far more modern.
This is a simple explanation from SoFi brokerage of Limited Margin https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/ira-margin-account/
This is an unnecessarily complex explanation from Fidelity of Limited Margin https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/trading/limited-margin-trading-IRA
In addition to having at least $25k in equity in the retirement account, you have to specify your investment objective is "Most Aggressive", and you also cannot use an FDIC insured default sweep account for excess cash.
"Limited Margin" doesn't allow you to invest more money than you have in your Roth account.
Limited Margin allows Fidelity and Schwab to extend you "a courtesy" of avoiding SEC settlement rules. Limited Margin makes your retirement investments safer.
"Limited Margin", which requires a balance of at least $25k in your Roth account, allows you to trade ALL of the money in your Roth account, regardless of whether it is "T+2 Settled Money" or merely your retirement money which is not yet "settled", eliminating "Trading Violations" which is just brilliant.
Fidelity and Schwab can't charge me interest for using my unsettled money because margin, the way you think of it, is not allowed in retirement accounts. How did this manage this last year? I don't care.
Not a criticism, just a question. Should the average investor really leverage an account that is already highly leveraged due to it's tax avoidance? I've been funding both my kids Roth whenever they can't do it but both are invested in VOO. Nothing else. Don't think about it. Your careers and families are more important. I suspect when I'm gone and they retire they'll both be happy with that advice.
Mitch is a two-faced worm, but al least this indicates worms feel it's now safe to tell the truth.
Trump's influence must be on the wane
Mitch, like Bill Barr trying to reframe himself as less than a core member of the fascist right. We see you.
I just learned Fidelity allows you to add "Limited Margin" to Roth accounts as of sometime last year, which is well worth doing to avoid trading violations on selling securities bought with "unsettled funds".
Add Limited Margin to the account online, then call and have your holdings transferred from Cash to Margin.
Two ideas Nick. We have no serious intention of stopping global warming and the pain will grow slowly enough that almost everyone will simply get used to the "new normal". There is an earth caused tipping point but it's likely 100-200 years out. We're boiling a frog in a pot.
My best investing lesson came in the late '90s when I was sure the idiotic dot-com market would crash. It did of course but I missed some of the best investing years. I try not to do that any longer. Here's the basic thesis that's worked for me: Investors are human and algos are developed by humans. Most humans are not very smart. Let them play their hand.
We live in interesting times and it's going to get more interesting over time.
I've sold all of my cars but one and it's just a daily driver. It costs almost exactly 3X what I paid a decade ago. Part of it is living in a much busier area of the country but insurance companies are reacting to problems like hurricane Ian. Home insurance isn't much better. I raised tenant's lease rates 10% this year and between inflation and insurance costs I'll make less money. I'm not complaining, just observing, as it's the tenants who suffer the most. It's only going to get worse over time. Those of us with a long term view will be out of real estate investing before it isn't profitable. For my canari-in-the-coal-mine company I watch PLD only because they're the largest US investor. Before the profitability issue is obvious their chart will have been sliding for months or maybe years.
So odd to me. I worked for Chase for three years at 5 Wall in the late '90s. It was the center of the financial universe.
Finally other self-driving cars will be able to actually see like Google Waymos. I'm certain any "Tesla Taxi" will have to be retrofitted with a Luminar Halo or other Lidar.
Luminar, an American Lidar company based in Orlando, Florida starts shipping lidar for China-owned Volvo and their EX90 — while readying its next-gen sensor
https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/23/24138224/volvo-ex90-production-start-luminar-lidar-halo-sensor
Luminar has worked with Swiss Re to measure how lidar can reduce the severity of accidents and found that its tech resulted in about 27 percent reduction in accidents and about 40 percent reduction in severity compared to the top-performing vehicles with camera and radar-based systems (aka blind Teslas).
Luminar’s new Halo sensor, weighs under one kilogram, and only uses about 10 watts of power. This uses four of the next-generation chips from Luminar Semiconductor Inc., which it says will enable four times performance improvements, three times the reduction in size, and twice the thermal efficiency compared to Iris. Luminar is moving forward with 1550nm lidars, stating it wants to “avoid future performance and power consumption issues associated with 905nm.”
The order of lidar sensors to Volvo, which Luminar notes is worth $4 billion, comes after Volvo announced last year that it had to push production start of the EX90 to early 2024. The placement like a visor on the roof of the car allows the sensor to sort of blend into the roofline/
Luminar’s lidar tech sits on top of the vehicle like a visor and uses lasers to create a 3D environment around it. The placement allows the sensor to sort of blend into the roofline; however, the company’s current “Iris” sensors are still a bit obvious when looking at its partner vehicles like the EX90 and new Mercedes Benz racing vehicles.
In 2022 Innoviz Lidar based in Israel signed a similar $4 billion contract for Lidars with VW and BMW.
The last few days I have been mostly trying to get over by that freight train called earnings. I still hold a few teck stocks ahead of those reports, so we shall see.
What Analysts Are Saying About PepsiCo's Q1 Earnings?
BENZINGA 2:39 PM ET 4/23/2024
Symbol Last Price Change
PEP 172.43up -4.03 (-2.2838%)
QUOTES AS OF 02:51:10 PM ET 04/23/2024
On Tuesday, PepsiCo Inc(PEP) reported first-quarter FY24 sales growth of 2.3% year-on-year to $18.25 billion, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $18.079 billion.
Adjusted EPS of $1.61 beat the consensus estimate of $1.52.
Below are comments from analysts, along with current ratings and price targets.
BofA Securities – Reiterates Buy, $210 price target
Analyst Bryan D. Spillane said the 5% year-on-year increase in pricing helped drive 40 basis points of gross margin expansion to 55.7%.
Organic sales growth of +2.7% was in line with the analyst’s +2.6% estimate.
Softer volume by -100bps each in PBNA and Latam was offset by better volume in QFNA, AMESA, and APAC, with FLNA and Europe volumes in line, opined the analyst.
The analyst noted that first-quarter is PEP’s smallest, accounting for only 20% of full-year revenue. The price target reflects a P/E multiple of approximately 24x CY25 EPS estimate.
The analyst noted that PEP’s premium to nonalcoholic beverage peer average of 23x is warranted by its strengthened position and pricing power to manage the ongoing inflationary environment.
Goldman Sachs – Reiterates Buy, $200 price target
Analyst Bonnie Herzog said PEP reported stronger-than-expected topline growth and sequential volume improvement despite ongoing headwinds from the QFNA recall.
Healthy organic topline growth helped drive core f/x neutral EPS up 7% to $1.61 and gross margin expansion, said the analyst.
Since investor expectations were lower, today’s better-than-feared results could be enough to drive the stock higher, asserted the analyst.
Given the challenging operating environment, the analyst expected the management to maintain its FY24 guidance.
According to the analyst, volume pressures will likely continue to be a concern until trends moderate further, which could weigh on the stock in the near term.
The analyst noted PEP remains very well positioned given its strong brand portfolio and long-term growth opportunities in Beverages, given its revenue growth management capabilities.
Price Action: PEP shares are trading lower by 2.36% at $172.30 at the last check Tuesday.
Photo by ja-san-miguel for Unspalsh
AI boom to fuel natural gas demand in coming years, report says
REUTERS 2:24 PM ET 4/23/2024
Symbol Last Price Change
KMI 18.8down -0.02 (-0.1063%)
ET 15.89down +0.06 (+0.379%)
CHK 88.75down +0.34 (+0.3846%)
QUOTES AS OF 02:28:19 PM ET 04/23/2024
April 23 (Reuters) - A spike in power usage from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers could significantly boost natural gas demand in the second half of the decade, analysts at investment banker Tudor Pickering Holt & Co said in a report on Tuesday.
As much as 8.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas could be required additionally to match the rise in demand, the report added.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
U.S. power and technology companies have expressed concerns that the country's electrical systems are not expanding fast enough to meet the rapidly growing power needs of technology such as Generative AI, prompting data center businesses to sometimes bypass utilities and strike deals directly with power producers or build their own supply.
The uptick in overall demand has added to a nationwide queue of requests for power generation and energy storage projects to connect to the grid, which swelled to 2,600 gigawatts in 2023 from 2,000 gigawatts in 2022, according to the latest data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
CONTEXT
According to the report, natural gas prices could average $4 per million British thermal units during the second half of the decade.
Natural gas prices touched a three-and-a-half-year low in February to $1.61 per mmbtu largely due to mild winter weather, forcing many producers to curtail their production.
The analysts expect pipeline operators such as Kinder Morgan(KMI) , Williams and Energy Transfer(ET) to be in the best position to take advantage of the growing gas demand, while gas producers such EQT and Chesapeake Energy(CHK) would also benefit.
BY THE NUMBERS
The report estimates current power demand from data centers at 11 gigawatts (GW), which, in the base case, is expected to grow to 42 GW by 2030.
The report added that, at its base case, around 2.7 bcfd of incremental natural gas would be required by 2030.
(Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Ravi Prakash Kumar)
I look at the markets with an open mind and do not care where I find a company that can make me money. I got 6 powerful computers that are running 24/7 and mostly looking for this information. When they find a company that possibly fits the mold then I start the long research into that one. If it fits that type of company then I look at the technicals for a good entry point.
Looking back over the last 75 years, it shows that election years are choppy until June and then they rally. Be careful in a trendless market. Jesse Livermore knew when to buy or sell or just go fishing.
You find some interesting companies
CRM is reminding me of Oracle - Larry Ellison met people from the CIA who wanted something called a relational database and Larry used government funding to create on called Oracle, which the Fortune 500 found uses for once it existed.
Most of Larry's input since that early time has been a mistake. ORCL works best when he's otherwise occupied.
I wish I knew better what to do with Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) 272
Investors appear to be back in the mode where no one trusts CEO-founder Marc Benioff again after his recent leaked contemplation of buying Informatica, which fortunately did not like the price he offered. https://qz.com/salesforce-informatica-no-deal-1851425746 It would have taken something like 5 years to integrate the two companies.
CRM is still in an uptrend, but it's not responding to the market upturn today.
I admittedly bought most of our CRM at 133 following another of Benioff's merger brainstorms that took too long to show profit.
Shame on me for buying some more in a Roth a month ago recently for 296 - at least it was the only Roth holding I didn't add to yesterday. All the additions are up smartly.
I found that buying stock after a good surprise report for the last Q and for the Yr, is safer to buy, especially on a pullback a day or two later. Buying before the earnings had been very risky of late, in a down trending market even more so, where even some positive reports get hit hard.
You are not a blind squirrel, I saw how you research before buying or selling. You would also do well with Covered Calls to boost your returns.
Will be selling PEP Puts as soon as PPO signals a buy.
Even blind squirrels find nuts now and then.
Unusually active option classes on open April 23rd
THE FLY 9:41 AM ET 4/23/2024
Symbol Last Price Change
IBRX 5.32up +0.38 (+7.6923%)
HAL 38.37up -0.35 (-0.9039%)
NOK 3.5798up -0.1102 (-2.9864%)
MTTR 4.471up -0.329 (-6.8542%)
GM 44.98down +1.77 (+4.0963%)
PM 95.85up +1.79 (+1.903%)
PEP 173.315up -3.145 (-1.7823%)
GE 156.715down +6.525 (+4.3445%)
QUOTES AS OF 09:41:07 AM ET 04/23/2024
Unusual total active option classes on open include: ImmunityBio(IBRX) , Halliburton(HAL) , Redfin (RDFN), Nokia(NOK) , Matterport(MTTR) , General Motors(GM) , UPS (UPS), Philip Morris(PM) , PepsiCo(PEP) , and General Electric(GE) .
I am adding to LMT.Lockheed Martin beats Q1 profit estimates on strong demand
REUTERS 8:28 AM ET 4/23/2024
Symbol Last Price Change
LMT 461.33down 0 (0%)
NOC 470.98down 0 (0%)
GD 291.31down 0 (0%)
QUOTES AS OF 04:10:00 PM ET 04/22/2024
By Shivansh Tiwary and Mike Stone
April 23 (Reuters) - U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin(LMT) beat Wall Street expectations for first-quarter sales and profit on Tuesday, as simmering geopolitical tensions prompted some countries to boost their defense spending, driving demand for new weapons.
Shares of the company, which is considered a bellwether for the arms sector, rose nearly 2% in premarket trading.
Sales in Lockheed's missiles and fire control unit jumped 25.3% to nearly $3 billion, boosted by strong demand for high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) and guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS), key weapons used by Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Sales in the company's aeronautics business, its biggest unit and which makes the F-35 fighter jets, rose 9.2% to $6.85 billion.
"These first-quarter results reinforce our confidence in our ability to achieve the full-year financial expectations we set in January," CEO Jim Taiclet said in a statement.
It had forecast full-year net sales of $68.5 billion to $70 billion and a profit of $25.65 and $26.35 per share.
It started the year with a quarterly profit of $6.39 per share, which was well above analysts' expectations of $5.83 per share, according to LSEG data.
Lockheed's first-quarter net sales rose 14% to $17.2 billion, also beating analysts' expectations of $16.02 billion.
Last week, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said Lockheed won a $17 billion contract to develop the next generation of interceptors to defend the United States against an intercontinental ballistic missile attack.
Rivals Northrop Grumman(NOC) and General Dynamics(GD) are due to report quarterly results later this week. (Reporting by Pratyush Thakur and Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Savio D'Souza)
Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts' Views On 3 Energy Stocks With Over 3% Dividend Yields
BENZINGA 8:03 AM ET 4/23/2024
Symbol Last Price Change
XOM 120.56down 0 (0%)
NOG 42.66down 0 (0%)
QUOTES AS OF 04:10:00 PM ET 04/22/2024
During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting our Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga’s extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the energy sector.
APA Corporation (NYSE:APA)
Dividend Yield: 3.08%
Piper Sandler analyst Mark Lear maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $33 to $35 on April 19, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.
JP Morgan analyst Arun Jayaram maintained a Neutral rating and boosted the price target from $38 to $40 on April 11, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.
Recent News: APA is scheduled to host a conference call to discuss its first-quarter 2024 results on May 2, 2024.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Dividend Yield: 3.15%
Piper Sandler analyst Ryan Todd maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $130 to $145 on April 18, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 77%.
Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read maintained an Overweight rating and boosted the price target from $126 to $138 on April 4, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.
Recent News: Exxon Mobil (XOM) said it will release its first quarter 2024 financial results on April 26, 2024.
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG)
Dividend Yield: 3.75%
Piper Sandler analyst Mark Lear maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $38 to $42 on April 19, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.
RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $46 on March 6, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 80%.
Recent News: On April 16, Northern Oil and Gas(NOG) issued an update regarding first quarter hedging results and stock repurchases.
Read More: Investor Optimism Improves, But Fear & Greed Index Remains In ‘Fear’ Zone
Elroy, I was mistaken in my comments about PG. It is a buy and you got it right. With commodity prices coming down and interest rates to follow this year it will be making more money going forward.
The SPX is nearing the 50 day/ma close to 5120, we need a solid close above that to make the Bears weaker and encourage the Bulls.
We were at a very pessimistic level in the fear and greed index as of Friday's close.
Bought back Covered Calls: PODD 1, VLO 2, COP 4 and NTLA 1 both were rt.
Sold Calls: GPS 5, PDD 5, SBLK 5, CYBR 2.
Bought back Puts: VRT 5, PEP 3, ANVS 5RCL 5.
Sold Puts: ET 20.
Unless we stop global warming earth will not be livable for the next generation.
Well look forward to more. As long as we keep pissing Mother Nature off, a whole lot of people are going to continue to pay. The dues are just starting.
Hail storm in South Carolina.
— Leon Simons (@LeonSimons8) April 22, 2024
Cars, solar panels, crops, or human skulls are not designed to withstand the impact of this.
”The climate system is an angry beast and we are poking it with sticks"
Wally Broeckerpic.twitter.com/mCX4OO8wHx
My plan is watch earnings come out and if they are good for a company, then sell Cash Covered Puts on it on a pull back, how ever the company will have to be ranked in the top of their industry and the industry in the top half of all industries. Plus, and this is a big plus, the stock will still have to be on the top 10% of all the ones I follow( over 150 ).
Let's hope so, although, hope is not a good investment method.
My nice auto insurance rates just went up 30%, state law to raise rates, in FL. Have not had a ticket or accident in 20 years.
Trying out one lot of AMD @148.50
Maybe they'll figure out a way to make money on graphics chips as well
The pullback gave me an opportunity to clean house a little and raise cash. In case we start the next leg up today, I will be doing it with a stronger portfolio.
JNJ put in a trading bottom in the low 140's on heavier than average daily volume. It still has a future issue with litigation, but it should have no problem handling it with its cash flow. However, the future litigation on Talc still overshadows it. I will be looking to add a little here.
Gap call volume above normal and directionally bullish
THE FLY 11:46 AM ET 4/22/2024
Bullish option flow detected in Gap with 4,806 calls trading, 1.4x expected, and implied vol increasing over 3 points to 52.86%. Jun-24 27 calls and May-24 22.5 calls are the most active options, with total volume in those strikes near 2,300 contracts. The Put/Call Ratio is 0.21. Earnings are expected on May 23rd.
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