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Stocks vs. Options: Which generates better returns?

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MARKETS

VIX ()
VIX 24.13 -0.12 -0.50%
Dow (DJX) 104.67 -0.31 -0.30%
Nasdaq (NDX) 1860.30 -12.32 -0.66%
S&P 500 (SPX) 1101.53 -4.60 -0.42%
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Latest ONN Columns

Volatility Overlays by Jud Pyle, CFA

Headshot of Jud Pyle, CFA
Transocean (RIG) butterfly spread crosses ahead of earnings
Call volume in the oil and gas name spikes thanks to an investor calling for the stock to experience upside
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID) spread trade bets on volatility
The Brazilian steel and iron name sees heavy put volume without notable news
Arcelor Mittal (MT) earnings ignite bearish put buying
The world's largest steelmaker posts a second-quarter profit, but one investor seems to be calling for downside
Amylin Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMLN) put volume spikes
Amylin Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMLN) put volume spikes
Marvell Technology (MRVL) LEAPS call action shows a bet on a rally
Buyers boost volume in the January 2012 22.50-strike calls
Activision (ATVI) call action bets on volatility
A couple of weeks ahead of earnings, an investor boosts option and stock volume in the graphics name
Waters Corp. (WAT) investor buys upside days before earnings
The analytical instrument maker is due to announce earnings on Wednesday, and one investor calls for near term upside
A call one-by-two in US Airways (LCC)
Bullish options action crosses the tape in the airline name
Buy-write boosts Bank of New York Mellon call volume
One investor opts to make a moderately bullish bet buying stock and selling calls
Selling volatility in Micron (MU)
Shares of the memory chips company could move in a range during the long term
US Airways (LCC) upside surprise sparks bullish buying
A better-than-expected earnings announcement boosts call volume in the airline name
Bank of America (BAC) options action calls for upside
Shares of the mega bank are due for a rally, according to one investor who bought calls, sold puts

Buy and Trade by Kevin Cook

Headshot of Kevin Cook
First Solar (FSLR) Earnings Preview: What’s the probability of a $19 move?
55% option implied volatility translates to a likely trading range of $37 for next three weeks
Potash (POT) crushes earnings, raises guidance, but stock sleeps: how options markets got it right
Reporting $1.55 EPS vs. $1.20 expectations doesn’t move stock anywhere near straddle price
Visa (V) volatility update before earnings
New regs took stock to new valuation level, but sub-20 P/E looks cheap
Gold stocks expected to come in strong: NEM, AEM, GG, ABX
Newmont disappoints, but oversold stock hangs on ahead of peers, and falling metal
Veeco (VECO) investors are poised for volatility ahead of earnings
Slide from $54 to $30 vaulted volatility, but bulls are chomping at the bit
Euro Chart Update: Sell the Stress Tests?
Euro relief rally took it almost to $1.31, but this may be another “sell the news” event
Amazon (AMZN) Pre-Earnings Expected Price Volatility
Options and whisper say this one could be a snoozer, but 10% earnings move is average
Baidu (BIDU) Pre-Earnings Expected Price Volatility
Chinese web giant may double earnings per share versus a year ago
Apple (AAPL) whisper number could be positive surprise
After disappointments from IBM and GS, the earnings monster might come through
Apple (AAPL), Goldman Sachs (GS) Earnings Volatility Preview
What the options markets are expecting from the best and brightest
How to trade the S&P 500 in “blah-shaped” recovery
If the V-recovery is about to turn square root, trade the sideways ranges
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) strategies for bulls and blahs
Chart seems to say this bank is dead money for a while

Need-to-Know Basis by Beth Gaston Moon

Headshot of Beth Gaston Moon
Post-earnings trading in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR)
Call activity active after GMCR surprises to the upside
Boeing (BA), Advanced Micro (AMD), Symantec (SYMC) on the upgrade/downgrade list
A review of Thursday morning's analyst changes
Short straddles trading in Sprint Nextel (S)
Front-month, at-the-money straddle active in the telecom name
Netflix (NFLX) puts active; call selling in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs ETF (PPH)
A look at two names seeing notable option activity
Comcast (CMCSA) option traders expect reduced volatility after earnings
Put selling, stock selling in the cable name before earnings hit the Street
Costco (COST), Wal-Mart (WMT), Mosaic (MOS) on the upgrade/downgrade list
A review of Tuesday morning's upgrades, downgrades, and initiations
Bulls bet big ahead of Occidental Petroleum (OXY) earnings
Option traders sell a synthetic long stock spread in Monday's trading
Walt Disney (DIS) options trader calls for downside
Bear put spread opens in the October series
Heavy call trading in Genzyme (GENZ) and Coach (COH)
Unusual option volume heavily focused on the call side
AT&T (T), Teva (TEVA), Schlumberger (SLB) on upgrade/downgrade list
A review of Monday morning's upgrades, downgrades, and initiations
Amazon (AMZN), Athenahealth (ATHN) ratings change on earnings surprises
The internet retailer disappoints and the health care name beats, but how did analysts react? Read on.
Microsft (MSFT) protection play ahead of earnings
Earnings figures from the software company are due in hours, and one investor buys downside protection

Sidewinder by Karla Yeh

Headshot of Karla Yeh
Bullish General Electric (GE) investor boosts put volume
Shares of the conglomerate name are on the rise despite a down market day, and one investor expects the trend to continue
Trade alert on ProLogis (PLD) put seller
Options action in the real estate investment trust suggests an investor expressed moderate bullishness
Upgraded Arch Coal (ACI) put volume spikes on selling
The metals and minerals stock is up on the day a week ahead of the stock's earnings announcement
Citrix Systems (CTXS) options action sells upside
Better-than-expected earnings figures from the software application company boosts call volume out of the gate
Volatility trade boosts Symantec (SYMC) upside call volume
Bullish options action hours ahead of earnings results from the computer software company
Saks (SKS) put trade closes bearishness
Put volume spikes in the luxury retailer, but the action suggests an investor could be finished with the options
JPMorgan (JPM) short call trade alert
Moderate bearishness in the banking giant boosts options volume during early trading
MedcoHealth Solutions (MHS) put volume spikes on buying
Trade alert on bearish long put trade in the pharmacy services company
Bullish Range Resources (RRC) trade boosts call volume
Shares of the oil and gas name are on the move, and one investor seems to think the stock will rally during the short term
Spirit AeroSystems (SPR) investor sells upside
Trade alert on call selling in the commercial aircraft maker
Positive Ford (F) earnings sparks straddle
Investor sells volatility in the motor company following earnings upside surprise
Trade alert on Pitney Bowes (PBI) put selling
Moderate bullishness crosses the take in the mail processing equipment producer ahead of earnings announcement

ONN Updates

ONN Experts In the News guest appearances by our team

Pyle: Fear, greed seesaw to continue
Continue reading » - July 8, 2010
Pyle remarks on BP (NYSE:BP) volatility for Business News Network
Continue reading » - June 11, 2010
Reuters quotes Pyle on heavy NCR (NCR) options action
Continue reading » - May 28, 2010
Cook on PowerLunch: The correction is likely over
Senior Market Analyst Kevin Cook discusses the correction in the market on CNBC PowerLunch Continue reading » - May 27, 2010
Jud Pyle quoted in The WSJ- As Stocks Snap and Crackle, the VIX Pops to a 2010 High
Comments on the VIX popping to 2010 highs. Continue reading » - May 7, 2010
Kevin Cook CNBC- Trader Triple Play
Kevin Cook brings insight on Google, and the effect that the Greek debt crisis has on euro currency. Continue reading » - April 14, 2010
Jud Pyle quoted in The WSJ- Traders Gear Up for Earnings Season
Traders Gear Up for Earnings Season- AK Steel. Continue reading » - April 13, 2010
Jud Pyle- Fox Business- Administration Taking News Steps to Help Homeowners
Gary Hager of Integrated Wealth Management and Jud Pyle of Peak6 Investments on the new mortgage plan. Continue reading » - March 30, 2010
Jud Pyle quoted in The WSJ – Contrarians Pounce on Boston Scientific
ONN.tv Chief Investment Strategist Jud Pyle was quote in the WSJ Tuesday, talking about BSX. Continue reading » - March 16, 2010

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Market Summary

VIX 24.13 -0.12 -0.50%
Dow (DJX) 104.67 -0.31 -0.30%
Nasdaq (NDX) 1860.30 -12.32 -0.66%
S&P 500 (SPX) 1101.53 -4.60 -0.42%

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Stocks vs. Options: Which generates better returns?

Plug in your stock idea to find options trades offering a potentially better ROI.

Learn more about the OptionFinder