Announcing the T3 Total Access iPhone App!
For years, people have been asking us “can I use the Virtual Trading Floor® on my iPhone?” Until now, the answer has been no. So we’re ecstatic to finally announce the T3 Total Access App for iPhone and iPad, which you can download from the App Store here. Go to the App Store ==> With T3 Total Access, you get live streaming video, audio, and chat directly to your Apple device. Whether you’re in a car, sitting in an airport, or just taking a walk, you can listen in and interact with our team. This way, you can keep up with the markets from anywhere in the world there’s an Internet connection — you are no longer tied down to your desktop computer or your office. Please note: Google Android device users can access the VTF® through the free Google Chrome app. To learn about our Virtual Trading Floor® rooms: Click for VTF info ==> Need help picking a room? Call our team at 1-888-998-3548 or click here to email us. Please note: standard data rates apply. Not all functions may be supported on all devices, particularly some Android smartphones and tablets.
Continue Reading -->Options In Play – Breaking Down NKE Ahead Of Earnings
NKE is one of the biggest names reporting this week and it is one of the more interesting set ups as well. Retail has been volatile recently and expectations are that NKE will continue that trend.
Continue Reading -->How to Swing Trade a Sloppy Market
Looking for an actionable swing trade game plan? Sami’s here with the ideas you need to start this week off right: In this video, you’ll see: The sloppiness and possible double top in QQQ Why you need to take things day-by-day When Sami goes against the trend The levels that need to hold in QQQ and SPY right now Why Sami is eyeing ACOR, AMRX, IOVA, WPG, XON, and other names The pattern that’s showing up in many of Sami’s long ideas So if you’re asking yourself “what should I buy or short this week?,” check out the video. Maybe you’ll like some of Sami’s list of names.
Continue Reading -->Options In Play – Taking the Long Road on GLD and SLV
It’s been a great couple months for the metals and they are now having a much needed rest. Positive signs are still indicating there should be more upside so we are sticking with the longer term swing ideas. If you like what you see, be sure to follow up for more daily options strategies with the Options In Play newsletter and the active trader education course for those looking to get started trading==>
Continue Reading -->Options In Play – Expectations And Option Pricing Ahead of the Fed Meeting
Expectations for rate movement are changing quickly and that could mean volatility at tomorrow’s FOMC meeting. I’ll talk about the shifting expectations and what the option market is pricing in on key stocks/ETF’s.
Continue Reading -->The Power of the 20 Day Moving Average
The 20 day moving average (20 period moving average, really) may be the most powerful trading amplifier in the universe. Learn to use this tool, and push the odds further in our favor. In this video, Sami explains: The difference between the 9, 20, 40, and 200 period moving averages What rising and falling moving averages mean How to know if a trend is sustainable Where retracements tend to halt When moving averages are more valuable So if you’re looking to improve your understanding of moving averages, this video is perfect for you!
Continue Reading -->F.A.A.N.G. & Friends: Your Favorite Stocks Analyzed (and Bitcoin too!)
Welcome to the latest edition of Sami’s popular new series F.A.A.N.G. and Friends — where he analyzes the most popular stocks in the market. In this video, Sami covers the following tickers: FB, AAPL, AMZN, NFLX, GOOG, BA, BTC, TWTR, NUAN, FNSR, IOVA, ALXN, OLLI, and ULTA But what you might find really interesting is his new take on Bitcoin… Next, check out this week’s latest swing trade game plan: Sami gives additional color on his Bitcoin opinion, and shares his views on QQQ, IWM, XLF, GLD, and SLV. Then, he jumped into the individual names he’s tracking this week, including AVP, KIRK, KMI, NTKR, TLRY, and XON.
Continue Reading -->Options in Play – Revisiting the Term Cumulative
I talk about “speculative” trade ideas in the nightly letters and it’s been a while since we went over what that means. RH is a recent trade idea that fell into this category, and presents a good opportunity to revisit the topic.
Continue Reading -->Fibonacci Retracements: Do They Work?
Many traders use Fibonacci-based retracement levels in their trading. But does it make sense to do so? Maybe not… In this video, Sami explains: Why he doesn’t use a precise 50% retracement level Why a 40-60% retracement level range makes more sense How these levels can set up various patterns, including double tops How Sami uses retracements to set up buys and sells Why he doesn’t like Fibonacci levels So if you’re tempted to use traditional Fibonacci replacement levels — watch this video first. Sami’s got a unique take you need to hear.
Continue Reading -->Why Trading Options at the Open Might Be a Bad Idea
Many stock traders love the opening action because of the heightened volatility. But what’s great for stocks is not necessarily good for options — especially at the open.But trading options just after the open can be a bad idea. Options are much less liquid in the first 15-20 minutes of trading, which means less liquidity and increased risk of trade slippage. While momentum stock traders may love the open, options traders should think twice before rushing to trade.Most news headlines (like earnings announcements, upgrades/downgrades) come out after the market closes or before the open. So the first few minutes of trading is the first time prices can adjust to the news.A stock will find a new trading range based on the news, so it’s common to see things move very quickly.That’s great for momentum stock traders looking for fast moves — but those wide ranges can cause problems for options traders. Options tend to lag stocks in terms of pricing and liquidity. This makes intuitive sense because the stock’s price is an input into the options price is right. After all, you can’t have an options price without a stock price!So if that stock is attempting to digest the news and find its new trading range, then the options can’t really get right. This means that the bid-ask spreads are typically wider, and the market makers are less likely to offer the liquidity simply because the stock price less less predictable. Option books are often slower to fill out, especially on lower volume/lower liquidity contracts.And wider spreads means a higher the chance of poor trade fills. Let’s look at a weekly options chain on Zoom (ZM) after it reported earnings:This is what it looked like at the open:This screenshot was taken in the first few minutes after the open following earnings. So it’s bound to be a volatile, busy day. You can see just how wide the spreads are.Look at the $93 calls. The bid is $3.70 and the ask is $6.50 for a spread of $2.80! That’s about a 50% difference, which is a massive spread for options that should actually be trading in the $4.50 – $5.00 range.Since the spread is so wide, there’s almost no volume. There’s a massive difference between getting selling at $3.70 and $4.50. Or getting in at $5 instead of $6.50. Now let’s look at the same options chain after the first 30 minutes:Look how much the bid-ask spreads have tightened.So it’s going to be way easier to get in and out, and there’s way less slippage. That means volume and liquidity go way up.What About Stocks With No News?Now, this is a stock that had news — earnings news.On a stock with no news, there’s going to be even less options volume around the open. So it could take even longer for price discovery to happen, meaning wider spreads and more slippage. This is why I’m patient with my options traders around the open. I want to see the books fill out, and I want the spreads to tighten. Otherwise, I’m at risk of overpaying when I buy, and getting less when I sell.P.S. Want my daily options trade ideas? Click here to learn about Options in Play.
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