Steven M. Sears

Financial markets have a new attitude, exemplified by innovations like prediction markets and zero-dated options. Many people view the markets as a casino.

The new CEO could enhance the company’s returns on its massive cash position with a simple options strategy: cash-secured put sales.

Few people can trade options for the sake of options, but anyone can use options to be a better stock investor.

By selling a bearish put to buy a bullish call option on a silver exchange-traded fund, investors can edge into one of the hottest trades in global markets.

Lululemon’s management is under pressure. It is reasonable to expect they will use January to tidy up their affairs and reset investor expectations.

The Cboe Volatility Index’s long-term average is around 19, so the present level of 14 suggests peace in markets and goodwill toward investors. At least for a month.

There is nothing wrong with big banks stuffing marketing channels with 2026 predictions—it’s a fun, useful exercise—but there is little reason to do much more than read and reflect.

The expected appointment of a Trump-friendly Federal Reserve chair in May could drive stocks higher—but it could also introduce some nasty risks.

Aggressive investors who want to wager that fear turns to greed can focus on Strategy and Coinbase Global, either by buying the stocks or turning to the options market.

Let overconfident investors make hasty decisions. Let them wager on a day’s move with short-dated options—Wall Street’s equivalent of scratch-off lottery tickets.

Investors concerned about volatility tied to the Dec. 10 Fed rate-cut decision can stake out a position with options on the small-cap iShares Russell 2000 ETF.

Never buy a single put option. Instead, use a put spread—which entails buying one put and selling another with a lower strike price and similar expiration. We explain.

When stock prices decline, it is often very profitable to sell puts on stocks you’re willing to own. Here’s how the trade works.

Double down on high-conviction stocks that have stumbled, then sell the original shares after 31 days to realize a tax loss.

How to use the Consumer Discretionary Select SPDR ETF to place a bet on the underappreciated strength of consumers.

Rather than allowing yourself to get spooked when volatility spikes, view it as an opportunity to profit from the fear of other investors.

Few firms have a better handle on the current scene or a stronger risk-management culture than Goldman Sachs.

Gold’s special quality as an all-purpose, antianxiety asset for investors is evident in its performance. The metal is up 43% this year alone, compared with 14% for the S&P 500.

If the president secures a positive outcome to China tariff negotiations, stocks will probably rally. Who knows what else he’s planning?

We had been measured ahead of the Fed meeting. Now that risks seem to be easing, it makes it easier to have conviction that stocks can advance in a lower-rate environment.