The Wings are Delicious, is the Option?

Over the weekend I had the chance to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) and really liked the wings. I checked out their stock, as I knew it was a public company, and I noticed that the stock has just been trounced (like most other stocks), except that the stock traded at its 52 week high (44.98) in September (not like most stocks) and that historically when this company reports they either POP or DROP. Therefore I did some speculation on BWLD today. The short interest on this stock is over 25%! I have a feeling if we see them beat the quarter on February 10 after the bell, this stock could bury my strike price of 30. I purchased some FEB 30 call contracts today for $60 a piece. The stock is trading at around 25 a share, and in 52 days I think this stock (if beating the quarter) could sky rocket on a short squeeze. Remember this is a speculation play, meaning I wouldn't "gamble" more than 0.5% of my portfolio on the bet. Say you purchased about 20 contracts for $1200 and the stock then reaches its 52 week high after they report (possible on a massive short squeeze)... That $1200 then would turn into $29,960. However if the stock finishes at 29.99 your $1200 would be $0. This is one call I will bekeeping my eye on, and IF you have money to speculate with maybe you should buy a contract or two at a limit of $50-$100 a contract.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAY 2009 BRING PLENTY OF PROFITS!



Sphere: Related Content

Light Volume, Dead Options...

With the terrible year (for most) coming to an end most traders/investors have taken all the losses they want/need to realize for the year, not to mention the Christmas and New Years Holidays... Therefore volume is extremely light, which makes for the options market to be even lighter. It has been tough to find anyone to trade options with me. So I had to look a bit harder and go with a "semi-boring" trade today. Today I sold 10 PUT contracts on Merrill Lynch for the 5 January strike for $30 a contract. Friday the stock should be fully converted to BAC (Bank of America) and I don't think we'll see BAC at $5.81 (which is equivalent to MER at $5, ratio is .8595) within 18 days, one reason being investors might buy into certainty, because the MER/BAC deal is officially closed etc... Worst case scenario is that the stock gets to or goes below $5.81 and I purchase the shares for $5.81, I don't have a problem (unless of course more banks get nationalized which is a scary thought but still very possible). I will then just write out of the money calls on the newly purchased shares until eventually I get called out. The other side is that the stock is not below $5.81 on that third Saturday in January, I will then have made a $300 (minus commissions) profit. I guess that's not too bad considering how light the volume is. The way I look at is: I want the 1000 shares of Merrill and I am getting paid to place the limit order for 5. This way I might get my shares at what I set the limit a, but I might not get them but get to keep $300 for free... If there is a stock you've been looking at, and you think the limit you want to place is just way too low, you might want to sell the PUT contract and have a shot at that price and get paid for doing so...



Sphere: Related Content