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Memory Tricks for Options Greeks Like Delta, Gamma and Vega
by David Russell | Sep 21, 2025
Options are complex instruments that can swing sharply in value. Traders may find the moves confusing, so this article will help explain key "Greeks" -- some of the most important factors impacting the price of options. Greeks are Greek letters used in complicated...
Futures 101: The Difference Between Trading Stocks and Futures
by David Russell | Jan 17, 2023
Not well-versed in the futures market? Scared about a new kind of advanced product? Here are some basic points to get started. Futures are different from traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) because they track an index. You don't own anything. You...
Technical Analysis: Have Chipmakers Already Bottomed?
by David Russell | Jan 13, 2023
Most people know that technology stocks ended 2022 on a weak note. But they may not realize one group started to outperform: chipmakers. The first pattern on today’s chart of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index is the falling trendline along the highs of last year....
Fear Could Be Evaporating After Another Cool Inflation Report
by David Russell | Jan 12, 2023
Inflation was lower than feared for the third straight month, and investors loved it. December's consumer price index (CPI) shrank 0.1 percent, compared with estimates for an unchanged reading. It followed cooler-than-expected readings for November and October,...
A Soft Landing? Why Stocks May Be Attempting a Turn as 2023 Begins
by David Russell | Jan 9, 2023
Stocks began the New Year with gains as investors see the potential for inflation to ease without a recession. The S&P 500 broke a four-week losing streak, rising 1.5 percent in the holiday-shortened period between Friday, December 30. Every major sector advanced,...
Options Alert: Trader Looks for More Upside in Chinese Tech Stock
by David Russell | Jan 5, 2023
Chinese technology stocks have been jumping, and one options trader is positioning for the move to continue. Check out this unusual activity this afternoon in e-commerce company JD.com (JD): Some 5,000 February 70 calls were purchased for $4.01.At the same time, the...
Chart of the Day: Is Oracle Attempting a Breakout?
by David Russell | Jan 4, 2023
Oracle has performed better than most technology and software companies, and now it may be attempting a breakout. The first pattern on today’s chart is the triangle that took shape in December. Prices ended 2022 slightly above the top, and buyers jumped in yesterday....
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
Chip Selloff Hammers Growth Stocks. Is the AI Boom Over?
by David Russell | Apr 22, 2024
Chip stocks like Nvidia led the market to new highs last earnings season. The opposite could be happening this time. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 9.2 percent between Friday, April 12, and Friday, April 19. It was the index's biggest weekly drop in almost...
Why Apple Is Sailing to New Highs Two Weeks Before Earnings
by David Russell | Oct 15, 2019
The world's biggest company keeps getting more valuable as investors look for a mix of positive forces to keep it moving upward. Apple (AAPL) hit new all-time highs the last two sessions and has risen for seven of the last eight weeks. That's established it firmly...
Stocks Follow Expected Script as Trump Approaches Trade Deal With China
by David Russell | Oct 11, 2019
Investors had a plan going into today's big meeting with China, and they stuck to it. Economically sensitive stocks like banks, materials and industrials led the rally on Friday. Semiconductors and Chinese Internet stocks also had some of their bigger gains in recent...
Trade War Drama Continues as Chinese Delegation Visits White House
by David Russell | Oct 10, 2019
Key talks with China begin today, and things are already off to a crazy start. Last night, reports from Asia said the meetings had pretty much failed before they even started. Stock futures crashed immediately, then roared back after the White House denied the story....
Stocks Just Had a Roller Coaster Week of Fear, Hope and Volatility
by David Russell | Oct 7, 2019
Stocks ended last week barely changed, but it was a wild ride of hope, fear and volatility. The S&P 500 crashed early on economic worries, and one point was down 3.6 percent. It quickly bounced as investors remembered some potential positives and ended just 0.3...




