We're delighted that more and more Foolish investors are becoming familiar with options. These powerful portfolio tools can be used to generate steady income, get better buy and sell prices on stocks, protect profits, leverage upside, profit on falling prices, and much more. Used simply and consistently, the right mix of options strategies can enhance a portfolio's returns, and make money in any market.
Both of us have been using options for years to accomplish these things and more. Since 2009, we've been doing so as co-advisors in Motley Fool Options, where more than 90% of our closed positions have made members money. To show you how we do it -- and how you can use options at home to earn steady returns -- we've put together a short dialogue on our seven core tenets.
No. 1: Valuation first, options second.
Jim: I've long believed in the power of overlaying carefully conceived and constructed options strategies on top of my stock portfolio. The intelligent and profitable use of options is rooted in business-focused investment analysis and valuation, a core Foolish principle. Remember, options are derivatives -- that is, they derive their value from something else (the underlying stock). It would seem prudent, then, to understand that "something else."
Top 5 Long Term Companies To Watch For 2015: Wave Systems Corp.(WAVX)
Wave Systems Corp. develops, produces, and markets products for hardware-based digital security. Its products are based on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a hardware security chip that enables secure protection of files and other digital secrets, and performs critical security functions. The company offers EMBedded Application Security SYstem (EMBASSY) Trust Suite, a set of applications and services that are designed to bring functionality and user value to TPM enabled products. The EMBASSY Trust Suite includes the EMBASSY Security Center, Trusted Drive Manager, Document Manager, Private Information Manager, and Key Transfer Manager. It also offers middleware and tools, which include Trusted Computing Group (TCG) enabled toolkit that assists application developers in writing new applications or modifying existing ones to function on TCG-compliant platforms; and Wave TCG-Enabled Cryptographic Service Provider, which allows software developers to utilize the security of a TCG standards-based platform. In addition, the company offers EMBASSY Trust Server Applications comprising EMBASSY Key Management Server, a server application designed to provide corporate-level backup and transition of the TPM keys; EMBASSY Authentication Server that offers centralized management, provisioning, and enforcement of multifactor domain access policies; and EMBASSY Remote Administration Server, which provides centralized management and auditing of TPMs and self-encrypting drives. Further, it offers eSign Transaction Management Suite and broadband media distribution services. Wave Systems Corp. sells its products to chip original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), PC OEMs, enterprise customers, and systems integrators. The company was formerly known as Cryptologics International, Inc. and changed its name to Wave Systems Corp. in January 1993. Wave Systems Corp. was founded in 1988 and is based in Lee, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
Well, it didn't even come close to unfurling the way I thought it was going to when I first suggested it back on March 5th. I suppose there's more than one way to skin a cat though. What I'm talking about is a breakout from Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:WAVX). While it took a round-about way of getting into a groove, WAVX has indeed worked its way into a bullish mode, and now that it has, it could roll for a while.
Top 10 Income Companies To Buy For 2014: Caseys General Stores Inc.(CASY)
Casey?s General Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates convenience stores under the Casey?s General Store, HandiMart, and Just Diesel names in 11 Midwestern states, primarily Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. Its stores offer foods, beverages, dairy and bakery products, sandwiches, fountain drinks, donuts, cookies, brownies, Danish rolls, ham and cheese sandwiches, pork and chicken fritters, sausage sandwiches, chicken tenders, popcorn chicken, breakfast croissants and biscuits, breakfast pizza, hash browns, quarter-pound hamburgers and cheeseburgers, and potato cheese bites. The company?s stores also provide nonfood items, which include tobacco products, health and beauty aids, school supplies, house wares, pet supplies, photo supplies, and automotive products. In addition, it offers gasoline or gasohol for sale on a self-service basis. As of July 31, 2011, the company operated 1,665 stores. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Emerson]
My selection of stocks was now almost entirely based upon themes. Instead of seeking out value in out-favor-sectors, I had temporarily diverted to the path of attempting to identify investing themes, although I would only purchase a stock if I deemed it to be a bargain. The major themes I had identified were natural gas related stocks, material stocks such as cement companies, and discounted Chinese growth stocks which made their money by selling their products to Chinese consumers. I also owned significant positions in some other purely American companies which included Casey�� (CASY) and Gray Television (GTN). Ultimately, Gray Television would turn out to be a colossal failure (more on GTN later).
Top 10 Income Companies To Buy For 2014: Westport Innovations Inc(WPRT)
Westport Innovations Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of low-emission engine and fuel system technologies that enable light, medium, heavy-duty, and high-horsepower petroleum-based fuel engines to use natural gas and alternative fuels. The company designs, produces, and sells alternative fuel engines, systems, and components for automotive and industrial markets. It also designs, engineers, and produces natural gas engines for the urban buses, refuse collection trucks, and conventional trucks and tractors, as well as for specialty vehicles. In addition, the company offers 15 litre natural gas engines for the heavy-duty trucking market, as well as is involved in the engineering, design, and marketing of natural gas-enabling technology for the heavy-duty diesel engine and truck market. Westport Innovations Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Taylor Muckerman and Joel South]
For more information on these two sectors, as well as Wesport Innovations' (NASDAQ: WPRT ) foray into the use of natural gas in marine engines, tune in to the following video, where Fool.com contributor Tyler Crowe teams up with analysts Joel South and Taylor Muckerman to give you all of the details.
- [By Jason Hall]
It looks like�Westport Innovations� (NASDAQ: WPRT ) management is pulling out all the stops to reduce costs and right the ship. The Vancouver-based natural gas engine expert just reported its third-quarter results and, frankly, the management team has a heck of a lot to do to turn things around.
Top 10 Income Companies To Buy For 2014: Microsoft Corporation(MSFT)
Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses, and supports a range of software products and services for various computing devices worldwide. The company?s Windows & Windows Live Division segment offers PC operating system that primarily includes Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems; Windows live suite of applications and Web services; and Microsoft PC hardware products. Its Microsoft?s Server and Tools segment provides Windows Server operating systems, Windows Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Azure, Windows Intune, Windows Embedded, Visual Studio, Silverlight, system center products, Microsoft consulting services, and product support services. This segment also offers enterprise consulting services; and training and certification to developers and information technology professionals, as well as builds standalone and software development lifecycle tools for software architects, developers, testers, and project managers. The company?s Online Services Division segment provides online information and content through Bing, MSN portals, and adCenter, as well as Atlas online tools for advertisers. Its Microsoft Business Division segment offers Microsoft office; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft SharePoint; Microsoft Lync; Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM; and Microsoft Office Web Apps, as well as office 365, an online service, offering Microsoft Office, Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync. The company?s Entertainment and Devices Division segment provides Xbox 360 entertainment platform, which includes the Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment console, Kinect for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 video games, Xbox LIVE, and Xbox 360 accessories; Mediaroom, an Internet protocol television software; and Windows Phone that provide Microsoft Office and Xbox LIVE functionality. It markets and distributes its products and services through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as through online. Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is headquartered i n Redmond, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7% to 15,746.88–its 33rd this year, tying it with the S&P 500–led higher by Microsoft’s (MSFT) 4.2% gain, UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH) 2.3% rise and Chevron’s (CVX) 2.3% advance. Only three Dow stocks finished in the red today, including Nike (NKE), which dropped 0.6%, and the Home Depot (HD), which fell 0.3%. Yes, it was that kind of day.
- [By Dan Dzombak]
Also fighting the Dow's undertow today is Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) , up 0.6%. Microsoft stock hasn't been affected by the HP news, but it could become a problem if users start dropping Microsoft Office in favor of Google apps. Further, Microsoft has been in the news a lot lately due to the outrage its Xbox One console has sparked among gamers. Unless something changes between now and launch, Microsoft may be shooting itself in the foot with some of the announced "features" of the Xbox One, including a requirement that the Xbox connect with Microsoft servers once per day and that games be stored online so that they cannot be exchanged with others or sold. Many also complain that the device is trying to be too much to too many people and is losing its core gamer customers. At the E3 conference this week, SNE has been doing all it can to differentiate its upcoming PS4 from the Xbox One.
- [By Chris Hill]
Shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) �rose on Friday after the tech giant reported higher-than-expected third-quarter earnings. Microsoft has been maligned for missing the boat on smartphones and tablets. Is it time to buy the embattled tech giant? In this installment of Motley Fool Money, our analysts talk about the future of Microsoft.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Ford has also seen its shares rise about 31% so far in 2013. The stock closed at $16.94 on Monday, and the consensus analyst price target of around $20.00 implies a potential upside of about 18%. Shares have traded in a range of $10.98 to $18.02 over the past year. It has a fiscal year 2014 earnings per share estimate of $1.83, and it is valued at more than nine times next year’s expected earnings. Ford now is being distracted by the speculation that its chief executive, Alan Mulally, is in line to be named CEO of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). As we noted Tuesday, Mulally should retire immediately and not wait to leave as scheduled next year. He is not doing Ford any favors by letting the speculation swirl around his plans.
Top 10 Income Companies To Buy For 2014: WESCO International Inc. (WCC)
WESCO International, Inc. engages in the distribution of electrical, industrial, and communications maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products; and original equipment manufacturers products and construction materials. It also provides supply chain management and logistics services. The company offers general and industrial supplies, such as wiring devices, fuses, terminals, connectors, boxes, enclosures, fittings, lugs, terminations, tapes, splicing and marking equipment, tools and testers, safety and security, personal protection, abrasives, cutting tools, consumables, fasteners, janitorial, and other MRO supplies. It also provides wires, cables, raceway, and metallic and non-metallic conduits; and communications products, such as structured cabling systems, broadband products, low voltage specialty systems, specialty wire and cable products, equipment racks and cabinets, access controls, alarms, cameras, and paging and voice solutions. In addition, the company off ers power distribution equipment, such as circuit breakers, transformers, switchboards, panel boards, metering products, and busway products; lighting and controls, including lamps, fixtures, ballasts, and lighting control products; and motor control devices, drives, surge and power protection, relays, timers, pushbuttons, operator interfaces, switches, sensors, and interconnects. Further, it provides value added services in the areas of construction, e-business, energy, engineering services, green and sustainability, production support, safety and security, supply chain optimization, training, and working capital. The company serves industrial and commercial businesses, contractors, governmental agencies, institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. It operates in North America and internationally. WESCO International, Inc. was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
WESCO International (NYSE: WCC ) reported earnings on April 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), WESCO International met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share. - [By Rich Smith]
Instead, the winners who will compete among themselves to fulfill the $45 million firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract include privately held Bluewater Communications Group LLC, small-cap Globecomm Systems (NASDAQ: GCOM ) , and TVC Communications LLC, of Annville, Penn., a small subsidiary of larger electronics distributor WESCO International (NYSE: WCC ) . All three will now be competing against each other to win the Pentagon's business on individual task orders for the Cisco and other HD equipment on order.
Top 10 Income Companies To Buy For 2014: InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp (NVIV)
InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp., formerly Design Source, Inc., incorporated on April 2, 2003, is a development-stage company. The Company is developing and commercializing technologies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. The Company develops biopolymer scaffolding devices for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. The biopolymer devices are designed to protect the damaged spinal cord from further secondary injury and promote neuroplasticity, a process where functional recovery can occur through the rerouting of signalling pathways to the spared healthy tissue.
The Company�� biopolymer-based devices are surgically implanted or injected into the lesion created during traumatic injury, or the primary injury. Additional applications of its platform technologies include the treatment for, spinal cord injury following tumor removal, peripheral nerve damage, and postsurgical treatment of any transected nerve. Its biocompatible scaffolding device for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury, is regulated as a Class III medical device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Company's biocompatible hydrogel is used for the local release of methylprednisolone to treat acute spinal cord injuries and the biocompatible polymer scaffolding device seeded with autologous human neural stem cells.
The Company�� porous biopolymer scaffold consists of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and-polylysine. PLGA is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, which is used for applications, such as surgical sutures (Dolphin sutures and Ethicon sutures), drug delivery (Lupron Depot and Sandostatin LAR Depot), and tissue engineering (Dermagraft). The PLGA-polylysine biopolymer scaffolding device is biocompatible and biodegradable and degrades naturally inside the body without requiring subsequent removal.
The Company focuses to develop an injectable hydrogel designed to counteract the inflammatory environment that results during a secondary injury from a closed-wound spi! nal cord injury where further cell death occurs. It focuses to counteract the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury by replacing lost cells of the spinal cord and activating endogenous regenerative processes, such as the formation of new synapses and axonal sprouting based on molecules the stem cells produce.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
I came close to pointing this out yesterday, but didn't pull the trigger. Though delaying didn't cost you or me more than a few cents, I don't want to tarry any longer... Invivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. (OTCBB:NVIV) is a buy.
Top 10 Income Companies To Buy For 2014: ADT Corp (ADT)
The ADT Corporation (ADT), incorporated on January 18, 2012, is a provider of electronic security, interactive home and business automation, and monitoring services for residences and small businesses in the United States and Canada. The Company�� products and services include ADT Pulse interactive home and business solutions, and home health services. ADT provides business security intrusion detection, which protect the business from burglary, robbery and intruders. Its electronic access control limits unauthorized entry and employee access to the business, as well as complete access. Effective August 2, 2013, The ADT Corp acquired Devcon Security Services Corp, a provider of security protection services, from Devcon International Corp. In November 2013, Kastle Systems International announced that it had acquired Mutual Central Alarm Services and Stat-Land Security Systems from ADT Corporation.
The Company's video surveillance views events in multiple areas of facility, which has control over loss and oversees business. On October 1, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Absolute Security.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jonas Elmerraji]
We're seeing the exact same setup in shares of security monitoring firm ADT (ADT) right now. The big difference is that ADT has shown investors some miserable relative strength in 2013. Unlike Corning, this stock has actually managed to lose 12% during a double-digit rally in the rest of the market. That weakness coming into the fourth quarter makes ADT look more likely to follow through with a breakdown.
In ADT's chart, the key support level comes in at $39. If shares can't hold that price level, it's time to hit the sell button. Whenever you're looking at any technical price pattern, it's critical to think in terms of those buyers and sellers. Triangles and other pattern names are a good quick way to explain what's going on in a stock, but they're not the reason it's tradable. Instead, it all comes down to supply and demand for shares.
That support level at $39 is a price at which there had been an excess of demand of shares; in other words, it's a place at which buyers were more eager to step in and buy shares at a lower price than sellers were to sell. That's what makes a breakdown below $39 so significant; the move would indicate that sellers are finally strong enough to absorb all of the excess demand above that price level. Wait for that trigger before you sell.
Lower highs in momentum add some extra confidence to the bear bias in ADT this fall.
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