Stock and option traders have had a roller-coaster month of September. Volatility in the market and sector movements have made quite a number of stocks very much in the options trading ambit. Here let us look at the two most important indices and mention some of the stocks people have been discussing most recently.

Tech Titans Leading the Charge

It should not come as a shock that giants in the industry, such as Apple and Microsoft, have been leading the pack. Given that new products are being launched and quarterly earnings are being released, the trade in the market with such stocks have gotten a bit busier. I happen to recall a conversation with a friend with whom recollected is the same kind of operation whereby he was holding out Apple calls only; he was quite confident of making a lot of money as there was an important event – new iPhone announcement. Warning ahead: they did make the money.

Healthcare Stocks in the Spotlight

Healthcare has also been a hotbed of activity. Companies like Pfizer and Moderna have seen increased options trading, especially with ongoing developments in vaccines and treatments. A colleague of mine, who’s a bit of a biotech enthusiast, was thrilled to see his Pfizer puts gain value as the stock dipped on some mixed trial results.

Financials Making a Comeback

Financial stocks have been interesting to watch. Banks like JP Morgan Chase and Goldman Sachs have experienced high options volume, driven by interest rate changes and economic data releases. I had a hunch about JP Morgan and bought some calls just before their earnings report. It was a nail-biter, but the stock jumped, and those calls were golden!

Energy Sector Heating Up

The energy sector has been buzzing too. Due to the volatility of the oil market, trading options on companies shares such as Exxon and Chevron has also doubled up. I have a buddy who plays the oil market which by the way also happens to be his occupation. He capitalized too heavily on call options that he purchased Chevron after the surprise jump in oil prices.

In the world of finance, Warren Buffett is a name known by both experienced investors and novices alike. With his wise counsel and remarkable investment history, Buffett has a gift for identifying shares that yield profitable returns as well as create an impression of safety. Occidental Petroleum is one such share which he describes as a “safe bet.”

A Personal Story: Investing with Confidence

Let's go back to a personal anecdote that relates to this. Some years back, I struck a conversation with a friend who had just started trading in stocks. The number of choices he had was too much for him because of fluctuating stock prices in the market. I told him once, "If you want stable shares then check on what Warren Buffett buys." Going by what I said back then, my advice remains valid till now.

Why Occidental Petroleum?

Occidental Petroleum, or OXY as stock market players call it, has captured Buffett’s attention due to many things. First and foremost, it is a company with strong domestic gasoline and oil holdings. For instance, in the situation where energy security is becoming more important by the day, having shares in such a company that produces these basic materials is very sensible. However, its commitment to carbon capturing initiatives differentiates Occidental from other competitors in this industry. Apart from aligning itself with global sustainability objectives this forward-looking approach also makes it rank high among the giants of the energy sector.

Leadership and Strategic Growth

Additionally, it is worth noting Buffett’s esteem for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Occidental, Vicki Hollub. This has been reflected through several instances where he lauded her bold choices towards enhancing the company’s portfolio, these include acquiring strategic locations and venturing into cutting-edge devices. It's this combination of strong leadership and strategic growth that makes Occidental a standout in Buffett's eyes.

Carbon Capture Initiatives: Leading the Way

Occidental Petroleum is more than merely an oil and gas company; it is leading the way in carbon capture technology. The firm is putting lots of money into Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology that seeks to extract CO2 directly from the atmosphere. This forms part of their larger low carbon ventures (LCV) program which primarily targets curbing greenhouse gases as well as engaging in sustainable energy developments.

At the Permian Basin, they are building the largest direct air capture plant in the world. This project aims to capture a million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year that can be further used in enhanced oil recovery methods or stored underground as a means of disposal. By so doing, it both reduces their carbon footprint and creates additional income for them.

A Friend's Success Story

However, let us return to the personal narrative. My pal, having acted on my counsel, opted for Occidental Petroleum shares. Throughout the years, he has experienced progressive development in his investment regardless of market fluctuations. It is not just about making money; it is also reassuring to keep your cash in a well-established corporation with good prospects ahead. Of course past performance is no indication of future growth.

Buffett's Endorsement

In his letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders released in 2023, Buffett mentioned Occidental as a stock that has more potential than an average American company. Emphasizing that it has lower chances of losing capital, this is an important consideration for any investor trying to reduce their losses while still targeting growth.

A Turbulent Start:

As news of the invasion broke, the initial reaction was a dip in stock values, a response that looks set to continue in the near term. The broader market indices painted a somber picture, with the BSE Sensex experiencing a notable decline of 483 points, resting at 65,512.

Blame Game and Prognostications:

Prominent figures in the investment world weighed in on the conflict. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman pointed fingers at US foreign policy, attributing the brutal clash to policy failures. Meanwhile, Chamath Palihapitiya foresaw an uptick in oil prices as a consequence of the violent confrontation.

Navigating Uncharted Waters:

Nomura India sounded a cautionary note, emphasizing that events like the recent attack on Israel can potentially pose a risk to stocks. The fear stems from the potential surge in oil prices, a consequence of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Interestingly, amidst the chaos, Northrop Grumman, a leading player in the aerospace and defense sector, managed to defy the odds. Its stock surged, leading gains in the industry. This twist in the tale shows how certain sectors can thrive even in times of geopolitical unrest.

Edison International (NYSE: EIX) , based in Rosemead, CA is one of the leading experts in clean energy and clean energy solutions. First incorporated in 1909 as the Southern California Edison Company, they have since grown to employ over 12,500 employees, and garner an annual revenue of $12.6 Billion USD.

In November of 2010, Edison Electric sold its 48% stake in the Four Corners coal-fired power plant in New Mexico for $294 Million. The move was the result of a California law forcing corporations to move away from coal-fired production, and into more energy efficient solutions. Forcing Edison Electric to purchase more power from the market.

Renewable Energy

Since beginning its focus on renewable energy in 1980, at least 21% of the fuel Edison Electric uses comes from clean energy sources. The company has heavily invested in clean energy solutions such as nuclear, biomass, and even wind power. With at least half of their clean energy production being from nuclear power.

Pedro J. Pizarro took the helm of Edison International as President of SCE in 2014, and has been acting CEO since Oct. 2016. The stock value of the company since then has had a rocky ride. But ultimately has shown a positive climb from 2014-present.

Edison International Stock Performance

In August of 2014, the stocks value of Edison International had reached $59,49 USD per share. But by the end of 2014, they would report a rise in stock value to $67,54 USD per share.

The stock value of the company would continue to steadily rise for the next 3 years, until reaching its peak at $82,18 USD per share as of June 2017.

By the beginning of Nov. 2018 Edison reported a stock value of $67,88 per share, but over the course of several weeks plummeted by up to 25%. This massive hit to the stock value was due to the California Wildfires that ravaged their territories in the region. Ultimately the stock value recovered slightly over the course of the following days, settling at just a 12% loss.

In Feb. 2019, Edison International (NYSE: EIX) reported a 2018 fourth quarter loss of $1.4 Billion USD net loss, (a loss of $4.39 USD per share). Compare this to their $545 Million USD net loss, ($.67 USD loss per share) in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Jul. 25 2019 Edison International (NYSE: EIX), reported a second quarter 2019 net income of $392 Million USD, ($1.20 USD per share increase). Compare this to their $274 million USD increase ($0.85 per share increase) in the second quarter of 2018.

As of Aug. 21st 2019, Edison International stock value has reported in at around $72,31 USD per share. A slow but very stable and steady increase since the plummet in November of 2018.

Conclusion

The Edison Company of Southern California provides energy for 15 Million people, across 50,000 square miles of coastal, southern and central California, They have shown themselves to be a titan in the clean energy solutions market, and have reported relatively steady stock value increase over the last 5 years under CEO Pizarro. They are poised to continue this upward trend moving forward.

For any inquiries about personal or business energy solutions, contact Edison Electric International 24/7 toll free at (800) 655-4555.

Pedaling Towards a Clean Energy Future | SCE & CicLAVia

After CNN reported on President Donald Trump signing an executive order today, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is now in the spotlight. This order curbs enforcement by the U.S. federal government of various climate regulations. Mr. Trump does this to help make American jobs a priority and that is more important to him than trying to stop global temperature changes. This order will also start a Federal review process that sill investigate the Clean Power Plan initiative that may result in the loosening of regulations. a large number of traders anticipate that Trump's policies will lean in favor of coal, oil and gas industries and that renewable energy solutions such as wind and solar power will be left behind.

In a separate event this morning, Philip Shen of Roth Capital has lowered the target price from $37 per share to $29 due to anticipated short-term earnings headwinds.

As indicated by pre-market trading, traders are brushing off this news. Shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) are up by 1% on light volume. It appears that investors have priced in today's news effects.

Tips for Buying Oil Stocks in 2017

After taking a beating for over two years, the oil industry is making a comeback helped by OPECs plans to cut production by 1.2 million barrels daily. The reduction is expected to be in place by the end of January, 2017. Reports recently received from Saudi Arabia, the second largest industry producer behind Russia, show a production cut of 486,000 barrels daily since January 1. This is de-facto evidence that the production cut is in effect already. Information from the Energy Information Administration in the U.S. also shows a reduction in U.S. stockpiles of 7.1 million barrels in the week ending December 30, 2016. This is another indicator predicting an upcoming increase in global oil markets and stock values.

Is CLR (Continental Resources, Inc) a Sensible Stock to Purchase?

By and large, NYSE:CLR (Continental Resources, Inc) shares have not seen much action throughout the third quarter. There was no change in the sentiment from hedge funds, and the stock was included in the portfolios of forty-four hedge funds by the end of September. Nonetheless, the change and degree of hedge fund popularity is not the only factor you should consider to determine a hedge fund's perspective. A stock might experience an increase in popularity, however it might still remain less popular than stocks with similar prices. This is why we intend to examine companies like NYSE:MJN (Mead Johnson Nutrition), NYSE:MAR (Marriott International Inc) and NYSE:IX (ORIX Corporation) to acquire additional data points.

Over the past few weeks, fluctuating polls have shown that Donald Trump has narrowed Hillary Clinton's lead, improving his odds of becoming president. As the presidential race hurdles towards the November finish line, a few stocks stand out as potential winners if Trump is elected.

In general, energy and military-based companies stand the best chance of substantial gains. Under a Trump presidency, coal industries, for example, would avoid the substantial hit from Clinton's promise to close down plants and enact stricter regulations. In addition to coal and oil stocks such as Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD), Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL), and Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CLR), companies that provide for military, including Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), will also benefit.

With the demand for oil continuing to increase every year from 1 to 2 percent, the price is destined to rebound higher within the next couple of years. Supply has fallen due to a lack of new production with the current price suppressed. We have seen trading around $30 with prices moving around a little bit, a general trend upward over the past 3 months. This price increase has been noticed at retail gasoline stations across the country.

Some view a yearly target of $45/barrel as being reasonable with a two to three year target of $60.

There are a couple of caveats to the price discussion. Derivatives are largely responsible for the price of the commodity. So supply and demand are often obscured from the current prices by these trading instruments. And their price is more volatile than a straight commodity traded on an exchange would be. A world event could cause the price to fall or jump quickly.

Alpha Natural Resources Inc., is one of the biggest coal companies in America, and recently the company has decided to file for bankruptcy. The company's filing comes just as the president of the United States is about to unveil new measures that are aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions that are produced from coal-fired power plants.

The company has blamed regulatory standards that favor renewable energy as the reason why it has decided to file. Not only that, but the price for its coal has been tumbling, and that too has contributed to the decision to file bankruptcy.

When it comes to metallurgical coal that is used to create steel, Alpha is the third largest supplier of it. However, a slowdown in China has also affected Alpha's business.