from the desk of Dr. Terry F Allen

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Testimonials

Thanks so much for detail explanation of each trade. I simply love your report and eagerly waiting for your report every Saturday. I am glad I found you guys. I am super happy to learn how your make a trade and invest with so much dedication, active management and vast array of knowledge, otherwise it’s simply not possible to see such wonderful returns.

~ Senjeev

I have been trading the equity markets with many different strategies for over 40 years. Terry Allen’s strategies have been the most consistent money makers for me. I used them during the 2008 melt-down, to earn over 50% annualized return, while all my neighbors were crying about their losses.

~ John Collins

I’ve always had the greatest respect for Terry’s experience and teachings. There are numerous individuals now trying to sell option schemes. This new guy sending out emails, (name deleted), charging $5000 knows just enough to be dangerous–his free videos are bogus! In my humble opinion, Terry’s one of the few that’s got it right.

~ Robert Yates

Terry’s Tips is an ongoing educational experience for me. The Mesa approach offers the opportunity to view the changes in the market, the effects of extreme price swings, volatility and theta and still realize a profit! This trading reality has been more valuable to me than any text. The Saturday reports are a valuable adjunct, giving a detailed view of each portfolio, analyzing the past week’s performance and projecting “what-if’s” for the next week/expiration month.

Many thanks to Terry and his staff!

~ Emorsini

An extremely Profitable first half of 2008, then, Armageddon hit in the Fall, Summary Of my results: My personal Option Strategy accts lost 98.8 %, My Terrys Tips Might Mesa Account GAINED 34 % … Incredible !

~ Mark Ott

The weekly reports have proven invaluable as I’ve been able to set up similar portfolios on my own resulting in substantial profits while the markets have been dropping. I feel strongly that these strategies can benefit virtually any investor’s portfolio when used properly. When position sizing is properly maintained, these portfolios can add return non-correlated to the stock market.

~ Mark

It is often said that options are to stock trading as chess is to checkers. I was looking to find the chess master amongst the checker’s champs, and Terry is the one. Looking for the very smart yet understandable way to trade options? Look no further.

~ Phil Wells

Terry’s Tips makes me feel smarter than the professionals by out performing the market even during the worst down-turn in decades!

~ Gavilán

As a result of your new Big Dripper portfolio, I’ve been able to make substantial gains. To date, the annualized rate of return has been just under 70%. More importantly, the wide profit range of SPY prices makes it quite suitable for the current volatile environment.

~ Mark Chapman

The weekly reports have proven invaluable as I’ve been able to set up similar portfolios on my own resulting in substantial profits while the markets have been dropping. I feel strongly that these strategies can benefit virtually any investor’s portfolio when used properly. When position sizing is properly maintained, these portfolios can add return non-correlated to the stock market.

~ Mark

Bravo for Terry! Over the past months while the markets in general have tanked and had historically high volatility, Terry’s strategies have managed to show impressive gains in several of his portfolios. He has developed a method for making profits with options, even when the markets are gyrating in huge ranges and the typical investor is experiencing painful losses.

~ Mary Ann Norfleet, Ph.D.

I think of myself as a sophisticated investor and was certain my asset allocation was bullet-proof for the crash of 2008. I was out of stocks, 20% in precious metals, 10% in foreign currencies, 20% managed by (formerly) successful Commodity Trading Advisers.

The CTA’s are down 50%, gold and silver are down, currencies are down – the only segment of my assets that has grown has been the slice which follows Terry’s Tips and which is ‘auto-traded’ by my broker. Terry has done remarkably well. Thank you, Terry!

~ Bill Masciarelli

I’ve been involved with investing equities, options and futures for most of my life and I’m seventy years old. You are to be congratulated on your method, expertise and diligence. I plan to add to my account and the number of portfolios.

~ Karl

I’ve tried several “investment services” and newsletters over the last few years, but yours is the first one I really have confidence in.

~ Martin

…. with the market at its current lower level, that in the past it would take months and some times years to recover with stocks and mutual funds, where as the spreads that I have using your system take a couple of weeks to recover with far less upward movement in the market. I know that with my holdings in stocks and mutual funds in the past, that the most recent decline would look pretty bad on my statements. Right now, I’m way ahead of my July holdings from the market peak over 14,000. I’ve pulled out $25,000 to remodel my house and I’m still $50,000 up in my account after the withdrawals.

~ Marc

I’m an auto-trader of multiple portfolios (7 currently, and looking forward to adding the Emerging Elephant this week). Naturally, my favorite days as a Terry’s Tips trader are those days where the profits come pouring in. My second favorite days, however, are days like Monday, when the market is totally tanking, but the Terry’s Tips portfolios are experiencing only mild losses. (Yesterday, the major indices were down 1.8%-2.5%, but my Terry’s Tips portfolios were down in aggregate only about .5%, and several actually were up.)

~ Mark

Before rejoining Terry’s Tips three months ago I struggled to keep my head above water, even attempting to use the 10K strategy. Now when I look at our portfolio I think of the line from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, “who are these guys!”. Your performance is nothing less than remarkable and indicates a deep commitment of time and energy to make this happen. Yours is a rare accomplishment for a newsletter to help the small investor, the “little guy”, achieve success in the incredibly difficult world of investing. You should feel very proud. Thank you!

~ Neal

Couldn’t wait to share these results with you. With the DOW down 242 and Composite down 55 my TT portfolio held its ground with a net gain of $1418. I would have been jumping for joy if I had a $5000 loss for the day. Talk about preservation of capital with above average rates of return! I have 36% Calls/Puts, Big Bear, Smile SPY, Oil 4 and Apple. This market demonstrates that it is an excellent mix for great gains and downside protection. Believe me, I don’t miss getting my mutual fund statements that would probably be down right now about $30,000 since the highs in July and August. Thanks for your great work!

~ Marc

Thank you for your quick response to my question. I love your program, and have been trading it for just over a year now. However, as you know there is always something new or unusual which occurs and it’s nice to know I can count on you and your organization’s support when I have an issue.

I also want to thank you for my new BMW 5 series. I promised myself, (and convinced my wife) that I would buy it once I doubled my initial investment through using your program. Between June, 2006 and October, 2007, I did it, and my new car is now on order.

~ Joe P.

I have been a subscriber for about a year. I autotrade in 2 different accounts, all your strategies. I read everything you write on Saturdays. I love your happiness thoughts and everything else. I usually do not communicate at all but I had to tell you how well my accounts with you are doing compared to everything else. You are awesome. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

~ Maya

One of our goals at Terry’s Tips is to provide subscribers with enough options knowledge so they no longer need us. We were delighted to receive this message from a former subscriber:

I’m using your multiple spread strategy using the NDX as the underlying. I papered traded it for 6 months and was up over 100%! Went live on the Oct/Nov spreads and made 18% the first month. Thanks for the education!!

I’ve referred numerous people to your site when I tell them about the results I’ve seen.

~ Greg – Anoka, MN

You’re a class act and it’s obvious to me why you have become so successful. Keep up the good work. I look forward to staying with you for a long time.

~ Tim

Currently, I have been a customer of Terry’s Tips for just over one year. I have tried a number of your underlyings for the 10K strategy. Overall, I think I did pretty well for the year–up 39% net.

~ Brad

I am a new subscriber as of August of this year and have been very pleased with the service provided by Terry’s Tips. I started an auto traded account with thinkorswim and have been impressed on how well the actual fills mirror the recommendations. My 36% Solution Puts portfolio is up over 14% within the first 60 days.–way above my expectations—Thanks for delivering a service that so far has exceeded what you sell it to be.

~ Jeff

Good strategies, good feedback and excellent service overall. There are products out there peddling in the thousands of dollars and they don’t come close to what you offer.

~ Shmuel

After 25+ years at this, I have seen a lot of experts come and go. I have only found two where I consistently make money by following their experience and methods; one that I have followed since the ’80’s in the Hogs and Bellies at the Chicago Merc, and you. Nice work!

~ Bob

I signed up on Feb. 28, 2007 auto trading with my thinkorswim account. I’m even more amazed than I thought I’d be being up over $4400. on an initial investment of $10,400 since that date.

~ Zak

With my composite portfolio being up some 60+ % (even AFTER the correction we had in Feb) in just 16 months, I may be your single biggest fan. Keep up the good work.

~ Michael

I’ve been investing with Terry for less than 4 months (112 days) and would like to report that I’m up over 40% using Terry’s suggested positions in AAPL, GS, DIA, and OIH, only making minor departures from the “fairway” (a metaphor Dr. Allen can appreciate). I’m new to option spreads and am learning a great deal from Terry’s “literature,” Saturday Reports, and from the Thinkorswim software and website. For this success and your excellent, thoughtful and conservative management of the portfolios, I am very grateful. Sure beats writing covered calls.

~ Bill

I can’t figure out why everyone isn’t using calendar spreads using your method. Sometimes it seems too good to be true. My returns the past two years have been almost unbelievable. I don’t even try to tell anyone about it because they wouldn’t believe me.

~ Fred

I don’t know if a lot of subscribers thank you but my wife and I have watched the money that we have invested in your program grow at an alarming rate. We especially like the fact, which no other investments offer, the ability to cash out profits every month if they are earned. Cheers to you and your staff.

~ Rob

I am very very pleased with the performance of the portfolios. I’ve been interested in options for a very long time, but this seems to work more of the time and with better results. So I just keep moving more and more money from my self directed Ameritrade account to the autotrade accounts at TOS.

~ Justin

I had started with $10,000 in 36% solution at Oct’06 expiration. Closed that account with $14,020 after Apr’07 expiration. Started with $28,060 on another account at April’07 expiration. Closed at $32,500 at May’07 expiration. I have made close to 8% a month since you started the IWM portfolio.

~ Sanjeev

I have learned more about options from you than I have learned reading several option books. I was even a financial advisor for 5 years and have learned more about options from you than anyone.

~ Tyler

I have learned more than I ever expected for your tips and want to thank you for starting an educational journey I value more than my MBA.

~ Mark

I’d have confidence in your system…I have seen it work very well…currently I have had a first 100% gain, and am now working to diversify into more portfolios. Goldman/Sachs is also doing well – up about 40%…

This kind of trading is actually an “art”… I have my own field of expertise…but sadly I can only offer my great appreciation to what you do so instinctively.

~ Jay

My Oil Services 3 got set up on Monday April 23rd and GS was set up that following Wednesday. It is not May 4th and I have made almost $2600. In 10 days! So far this is not a 10k, it is a sprint!

~ Jan

Your service is just awesome and can’t wait to scrape up more $$ to put in other portfolios.

~ Ty

Just wanted to keep you informed of what I am doing in OIH. My profits to date are $18,322 (in 7 months) on a $34K investment using the 10K Strategy.

~ Roger

I have used a variation of the 10K Strategy with Cummings Engine and Goldman Sachs since the summer of 2006, and have made a 100% return on both investments.

~ Patrick

There is merit in using IWM for the 10K Strategy…I started an IWM portfolio on 5 Sep 06 and it is now my best performing portfolio, up more than 40% as at market close on 12 Jan07.

~ Janet

As a new subscriber in 2006, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a great 2007!You and your staff have been most generous with your help as I become adept at using your method to invest in credit spreads. It has been the best year for me financially in the 10 years I have been investing and I am looking forward to getting better in the coming year with even greater financial success. You have given me the tools (education) to help ensure the financial security of my family and retirement and I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I appreciate it. Here’s to a tip of the hat to all at Terry’s Tips for a great 2006!

~ Michael W.

I’ve been trading GRMN using the 10K Strategy for the last three months and will double my money by the end of this month.

~ Nathan

I started with your service about 7 months ago using three different portfolios worth $70k. Those changed of course over time, but today I am using 5 of the portfolios and the value just crossed the $100k mark (actually $101k) this morning. I consider this quite remarkable considering I have been investing for the last 25 years and have never seen consistent gains as you have shown me.

~ Mark

I’ve been very impressed by not only your strong trading results, but your true dedication to your readers. Your hard work to keep us informed of both your portfolios and trading techniques is greatly appreciated. I look forward to your reports each week.

~ Gary

I’ve seen the results of the 10K strategy and believe in it. With the options calculator/graphic software you recommended, I can validate my own trades and run a variety of “what-if” scenarios to best suit my needs.

~ Kurt

I started 2005 with a $57,000 tax loss carry forward from 2004. I now figure that that is wiped out and I will pay tax on about $30,000, with about 95% of this strictly from calendar spreads using your ideas.

~ Fred in CA

Having been a Terry’s Tips subscriber for about a year, I do not view Terry as an adviser, but more of a “mentor for hire”. Within the context that we are all trading unpredictable markets, he allows his subscribers to watch over his shoulder, choose which markets they wish to trade, and opt out when the going gets tough. He shares his failures and his successes with equal frankness and honesty. I have found nothing in his marketing to be untrue, and when a strategy strays from his stated goal, he is quick to shut it down.

~ Bob D.

Your 10K strategy really works. I made a $5,000 within a month. Thanks a lot.

~ Kazuo

Btw, the last 8 months or so have really been a fantastic learning experience with the current strategies!

~ Sylvio

I started my (10K) Google on 10/24/05 (lucky) so I’m currently up 93% (as of 12/9/05). I couldn’t have done it without you.

~ Bob

I am now willing to declare that I have made a 100% return using the 10K Strategy since I started with individual stocks on November 19, 2004 … I would tell my kids: “Write it on the chalkboard and repeat after me: This 10K Strategy works if you do it right.”

~ Fred from Kansas

You guys ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m truly amazed by your emails.

~ Ziv G., San Francisco

Well, I’ve just finished the daily program and it was absolutely fantastic! You guys have put together an excellent program. When I initially signed up, I was hoping to learn about option spreads, how to set them and when to use them. Learning how to integrate them into well-defined strategies has been a welcome bonus.

~ Jeremy C., Coffs Harbour, Australia

‘scuse me for jumping in here. I also subscribe to “Terry’s Tips”. First advisory service I ever have subscibed to … I’ve been pleasantly surprised. As an option writing beginner (lost plenty with naked calls) as you say you learn the basic strategy very quickly. What Terry adds is the small details. How do you handle things in the last days of expiration. What to do with options you wrote which have very little time value approaching expiration. How to select the correct strike for next months writes etc.

I’m sure these are all obvious to you, but have provided an interesting education for me.One other thing – I think he gives to charity (some of?) the subscription price. He also gives to charity $1000 per day, I believe. These facts were just sufficient to convince me to have a go. I’m glad I did.

~ Steve (excerpt from Yahoo! Finance Message Board)

Hi Terry! I hope you are doing well. First of all I want to thank you for sharing with us such a powerful, profitable and low risk strategy. This is really great. I love it. Thanks again.

~ Muhammad

Using your system, I started trading QQQQ in my Roth IRA 12 August 03 with Thinkorswim. At that time, the account value was $82,000. On the opening of the last trading day of this year, 31 Dec 03, the account is worth more than $145,000. This is an over $60,000 increase in less than 5 months!

~ John D

I turned a $20,000 account into $102,000. $30,000 of that was added to the account during the year so I had a profit of $52,000. I don‚t know exactly how to do the math but it seems to me to be about 200%. I started using your ideas using the QQQQ options. Mostly I tried to follow your 10K strategy, I traded up to higher strike prices aggressively, and use the proceeds to buy more positions. I made $33,000 on this strategy in about 5 months. I now trade exclusively in QQQQ options in my main account.

~ Ross R.

Hi Terry – just finished reading your new summary of the 10k strategy and want to commend you on how well it is written.-well thought out, very concise, easy to understand and as we know, very profitable! I’ve been with you about a year now and have 4 different accounts utilizing the 10k and Easy Pie strategy. Besides QQQQ I have been using the strategy with DIA, FNM, WM and DHI -all with success. I am up over 50% and would be a lot higher had I utilized the Green/Amber/Red strategy, as I got burned in the beginning using the cover-your-butt strategy.

Anyhow, I just finished reading a novel, “The DaVinci Papers” and this new 10k strategy is comparable to my finding the holy grail! Keep up the good work!

~ Bob E.

I can’t thank you enough for your excellent service at such an extremely low price. I have subscribe to many services for many more dollars and have lost money. Sure they promise the moon and then in hindsight tell you how they made big money, but you tell us what to do and then do it yourself in a verifiable way. WOW! What a concept…I’m thrilled beyond words with the total results.

Thank you so very much and a HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF.

~ Walter C

I’ve really enjoyed reading your commentary and studying your strategies, I’ve found this to be a great service (at a reasonable price!)

~ Jay S.

It is a joy to get e-mail from you as it always contains needed data and real word factual data. Of course, since I have nearly doubled my money in 7 months, it is no wonder that I am happy.

~ Bob J.

Just read your RSI input and thanks again for your very applicable inputs and information. You could keep it a secret and charge for all this great data you provide, but you seem to be more interested in providing us very helpful information and information we can learn from. It is a joy to get e-mail from you as it always contains needed data and real world factual data.

~ Bob H.

Just a note to thank you for your wonderful tuition and service, for me it’s like being a trainee option trader. Although I have an advanced degree in Finance with a specialization in derivatives I have not until now found a profitable way to trade the options markets successfully. Your explanation is simple and removes all the complicated stuff, in fact I don’t think its needed to play the market successfully, I guess that’s where your experience of having traded on the floor comes into play. Please keep up the good work.

~ Michael D.

Thanks for taking the time to clarify my understanding on the ratio question – you don’t get this quality of service much anymore. You earned the kind words…keep up the good work. Thanks.

~ Don M.

I sold the mutual find shares I had in small IRA, and began my OptionsXpress account in early April with about $5,300. My account’s value is now $11,000. Needless to say, I am very pleased. The hardest part of it is having the discipline to not “tinker” with it on a day-to-day basis. Thanks again for your advice and information. I really enjoy your writing style, and of course I’m enjoying the results of following your strategies too!

~ Randy G.

I have a PhD in math, but make my living from computers (software.) It is fair to say that during the last 25+ years I spent THOUSANDS of hours reading, learning, simulating and developing trading systems, mostly in the futures market (not that far from options, but more historical data is available.) Since I subscribed to your service, I spend most of my research time on it and I gain bigger and bigger confidence that “this is it (for me).

And finally, yet another praise of your methods, communication and teaching style. I learn something new from every single report. It is extremely useful for me that (like in this issue) you don’t simply list the changes to be made, but reveal the thought process behind them and discuss alternatives. I feel that these lessons will make me a better trader.

~ Joseph J.

I am not a writer of flattering letters to advisors, so it is of some consequence in my investing history that I tell you how happy I am with your 10k Strategy. I hope to make it grow into the most significant part of my investments and eventually rule the world. I will be benevolent towards you, Terry, in appreciation for your brilliance and willingness to let former small fries like myself get in on the action.

~ Ralph W.

Thanks for another excellent report. In your report about the Fannie Mae trades you said your goal was to underpromise and overdeliver. Your weekly reports and updates easily meet that lofty standard. I love it.

~ Kevin M.

I just wanted to let you know that the 10K strategy has worked wonders for me. In this ideal environment of little change in the DOW recently I have done very well. In June, with the DOW at 9200 I invested $48,000. Since then I currently have an account value of around $135,000. Not bad for 3 1/2 months!

I now have a boat load of cash. The question is what to do now.

~ Dale B.

Your strategy is paying off for me, an average of 18.5% gain per month since I started. Yahoo!!!!

~ Richard A. (Australia)

I would like you to know that I have learned much more from your tutorial than I did from hundreds of books and articles on options and strategies that I have read. I am sure your subscribers have had the same experience.

From your trading subscribers and me: many thanks!

~ Mark C.

I’ve previously attended a couple of seminars and read several “thick” books about options and writing covered calls, but nothing come close to what you teach. Your cut-the-chase, straight-to-the-point approach coupled with a live ongoing QQQQ-DIA trading program truly sets you and the rest apart. In K.I.S.S., you’re the best, Terry.

~ Kim, Grand Rapids, MI

Once I attended a Tai Chi Class thinking I knew what to expect… but the instructor was no average instructor but a Master… I immediately realized how much I didn’t know… and by putting aside my previous false assumptions I freed my mind to learn more… I sort of feel the same way now… So pardon me for my previous doubts about investment services in general. Your’s is like no other I’ve seen. :))

~ Andrew W.

I’m amazed by your ability to explain the complex analysis of options in a way that is thorough, practical and understandable. What I find so helpful is the way you describe your thought process for each trade. Please keep it up.

~ Kevin P., Pismo Beach, CA

I want to thank you again for your information and compared to other services I have tried, you provide a great bang for a buck. It is the real stuff and the numbers work, not like some trading schemes that sound good but when you try to make the trades the numbers are not there and such minor things as margin requirements are also not mentioned.

~ Bob T., Garland, TX

I can’t believe I made 31% in two months and the premium available is much lower than in the past! Double my money in any event in 4 months easy!

~ Jim B.

If this keeps up, I will double my money inside of 6 months Watching you cope has taught me more about option investing than I would ever have learned had the market not been so unpredictable.

~ Rich B.

Did you know that your recommended 35 companies have gained nearly 35% since Feb. All are winners except for QLGC -which has lost (6%). For the year to date they are ahead by 22%. I sure wish I had bought them… They seem like a great pick for buy and hold. Congratulations! Good luck.

~ Brian

I have cleared my original investment in 3 months, so logically I should be able to turn this 4 times a year. 4-500% profit on original investment????

Terry, this potential almost scares me. I am not sure this system should be publicly shared, if it works as well as it seems it will. I am an insurance agent specializing in Annuities paying 7% A YEAR! I am sure if I advertised managing money and doubling it yearly, I would be laughed at. Especially with CD rates at 2-3%.

~ Joe M.

I’ve studied your plan backwards and forwards and I think you’re a genius. I also love your charity focus. I plan on doing the same, as I develop financial security.

~ Richard S.

I find something new every time I read your material. Thanks for having me on board and thanks for your help and guidance.

~ Jim H.

Unfortunately since I asked you about BP it has dropped almost 4 bucks a share therefore proving your point that covered calls are not risk free 🙂 Therefore, I am REALLY becoming a believer in your techniques.

~ Sally T.

I just want you to know that I am having more fun with your strategies than you can imagine. Your prompt e-mail replies are really helpful and I am learning more about the market than I thought possible. You explain yourself so well and your vast knowledge and experience of being a market maker are invaluable.

I know you put a lot of pressure on yourself and feel responsible for your students success, but if we just follow the strategies, it will work out, so don’t feel that you are responsible for the market when it goes down. It has become obvious to me that you are doing this because you love teaching, and not for monetary gain.

~ Fred T.

Thanks very much!!! Dr. (a college professor) told me about you. So, I thought I would look into it. To me, it has been a great education. Hopefully, this education will turn out to be profitable as well.

~ Dr. H.C. (another college professor)

I have taken many seminars, including Wade Cook, Risk Averse Trading (RATS), Oxford club seminars, countless books and tapes, all the while searching for a strategy that I could duplicate, generate monthly income and that would fit my lifestyle. Not until I came upon your service did I find what I was looking for. Your system makes so much sense to me and your willingness to help is invaluable. If you ever need a testimonial or anything, please let me know. I realize this is long winded, but I really just wanted to say “Thank You!”

~ Your student, Bob F.

I want to thank you profusely for mentioning how to place buy and sell orders to get better prices. I’ve saved beaucoup $$$$$ since I was informed about it. You’re one of the few honorable (and accessible) people in the business.

~ Norm H.

TERRY’S TIPS STOCK OPTIONS TRADING BLOG

March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024

Sunny Outlook

We’re headed back to the bullish side this week with a trade on First Solar (FSLR). The country’s largest solar module maker reported earnings on Tuesday after the bell. Earnings per share came in above estimates, while revenue fell short despite growing more than 15% year over year. The company guided earnings and sales that were in line with or slightly higher than the analyst consensus.

The stock jumped as much as 9% on the news before closing 3% higher. That’s in sharp contrast to other solar companies, which have been plagued by lower demand, high interest rates, regulatory changes and higher inventories. But FSLR managed to overcome those headwinds with stronger pricing power, something analysts see continuing in 2024.

The news was not met with any ratings changes, though there were a few target price increases. Depending on the source, FSLR’s average target price is in the $210-235 range, which is well above Friday’s $158 close. Given that the stock reached a high of $232 last May – its highest level in the past 25 years – these estimates may be a tad overexuberant.

My take on FSLR – based on the charts – is more conservative. The stock has gone nowhere in the past five months, travelling mostly between the 140 and 175 levels. The 20-day and 50-day moving averages, which have provided nothing in terms of support or resistance, are horizontal and of little use.

Given the positive earnings results and outlook, we’re looking for the bottom of this trading range continuing to hold at 140, a level the stock has closed below just seven times going back to October 2022. The short strike of our put spread is at 140, which is more than 11% below Friday’s close. Because we’re going so far OTM with this trade, the credit and max return are somewhat lower than most of our trades. Less risk, less reward.        

If you agree that the stock will continue respecting the bottom of its trading range, consider the following credit spread trade that relies on FSLR staying above $140 (blue line) through expiration in 7 weeks:

Buy to Open the FSLR 19 Apr 135 put (FSLR240419P135)
Sell to Open the FSLR 19 Apr 140 put (FSLR240419P140) for a credit of $0.90 (selling a vertical)

This credit is $0.05 less than the mid-point price of the spread at Friday’s $158.05 close.   Unless FSLR surges at the open on Monday, you should be able to get close to that price.

The commission on this trade should be no more than $1.30 per spread. Each spread would then yield $88.70. This trade reduces your buying power by $500, making your net investment $411.30 per spread ($500 – $88.70). If FSLR closes above $140 on Apr. 19, the options will expire worthless and your return on the spread would be 22% ($88.70/$411.30).

** We are crushing it! Our Costco (COST) portfolio is up 23% already this year. Our Microsoft (MSFT) portfolio is up 14% (last year this portfolio returned more than 70%). Don’t be left behind … there’s still time to save more than 50% on a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips. Just Click Here, select Sign Up Now and use Coupon Code D21M to start a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips for half off.**

January 31, 2024

January 31, 2024

Dear [[firstname]],

Here’s your Option Trade of the Week as included in this past weekend’s Saturday Report for our Terry’s Tips Premium Members.The credit from last week’s trade ran away from us pretty quickly, so I opted to pass on sending it out knowing that you wouldn’t get the minimum credit. This week’s trade – which gets us back on a bullish track – has a better chance for entry. So, I’m hoping that you can make it work.

Before that, though, I have to tell you that our Microsoft (MSFT) portfolio – we call it Wiley Wolfis on fire. With January in the books, we are already up more than 22% while the stock itself is up less than 6%. In fact, we booked more than half that huge gain just today after MSFT’s earnings!

How did we do it? The same way we bagged 70% and 92% profits using MSFT and QQQ last year – Dr. Terry Allen’s 10K Strategy. This market-beating strategy has proven itself over the past two decades … and this year looks to be no exception.

You can’t afford to miss out on these profits. Resolve to make 2024 your best trading year ever – and learn about Terry’s unique strategy – by becoming a Premium Member of Terry’s Tips.

For our loyal newsletter subscribers (that’s you), I’m of course keeping the sale going that saves you more than 50% on a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips. Plus, I’m adding a promise that this rate will never increase. I won’t make this promise forever, though, so now is the time to get in on the action … and profits.

As a Premium Member to Terry’s Tips, you’ll get …

  • A month of all trade alerts in our four portfolios, giving detailed instructions for entering and exiting positions. Trade one portfolio (I recommend Wiley Wolf) or all four. It’s up to you.
  • Four to five (depending on the month) weekly issues of our Saturday Report, which shows all the trades and positions for our four portfolios, a discussion of the week’s trading activity and early access to our Option Trade of the Week.
  • Instructions on how to execute the 10K Strategy on your own.
  • Access to our autobrokers to make trades on your behalf.
  • A 14-day options tutorial on the opportunities and risks of trading options.
  • Our updated 10K Strategy white paper, a thorough discussion of the strategy basics and tactics.
  • Full-member access to all our premium special reports that can make you a wiser and more profitable options trader. 
  • Annual subscription available for more than 50% savings

And, for a limited time, I am including a Special Bonus. Terry Allen has condensed his 30 years of options trading experience into an eBook – Making 36% – A Duffer’s Guide to Breaking Par in the Market Every Year, in Good Years and Bad. Learn a different way to trade using Terry’s unique and decades-tested 10K Strategy. This book is normally $9.98 on our website (and $19.95 on Amazon), but I will personally send you the digital version for free with a paid subscription.

To become a Terry’s Tips Premium Member, just Click Here, select Sign Up Now and use Coupon Code D21M to start a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips for half off. You can cancel after a month but, of course, keep all the valuable reports and the book.

I look forward to having you join in the fun and profits! Now on to the trade …

It’s Intuitive

Lots to chew on this week with earnings season in full swing, so let’s dive right in with a bullish trade on Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). The company makes surgical instruments, notably the da Vinci robot, that emphasize minimal invasiveness. ISRG reported Tuesday after the bell, easily beating on the top (profit) and bottom (revenue) lines. Earnings per share increased 30% from a year earlier, while revenues improved more than 16%. Much of this growth came from a 21% increase in da Vinci procedures.

Analysts were quick to raise their target prices, with at least a half dozen trying to beat each other to the punch. These were not minor increases, either. One firm raised its target by 35%, while several others were around 15%. That equates to increases of $30 to more than $100 … not bad for a $375 stock. Oddly, there were no rating increases, keeping ISRG at a solid buy rating. However, there are few holds on the stock, leaving some room for upgrades.

Also odd is the fact that the stock fell as much as 3.4% on Wednesday, though it closed just 0.4% lower. That’s the smallest move after earnings in more than 11 years. There wasn’t much action after that, as ISRG gained about a percent on Thursday and Friday. The stock reaction might give one pause given the strong earnings results. However, the muted move makes more sense since the company already released bullish guidance numbers a couple of weeks ago. That caused the shares to pop more than 10%, making this week’s news less impactful.

The guidance surge pulled the stock away from its 20-day moving average, a trendline that has guided a 47% rally over the past three months. The shares spent a few days just below the 20-day in early January, the only time they were staring up at the trendline since crossing above it on November 1. We are therefore using the 20-day as the basis of this week’s bullish trade. The short put strike of our spread sits just below the 20-day, which is about 6% beneath Friday’s close.

If you agree that the stock will continue trading above, or at least near, the 20-day moving average (blue line), consider the following credit spread trade that relies on ISRG staying above $350 (red line) through expiration in 7 weeks:

Buy to Open the ISRG 15 Mar 345 put (ISRG240315P345)
Sell to Open the ISRG 15 Mar 350 put (ISRG240315P350) for a credit of $1.00 (selling a vertical)

This credit is $0.10 less than the mid-point price of the spread at Friday’s $374.76 close.   Unless ISRG surges sharply at the open on Monday, you should be able to get close to that price.

The commission on this trade should be no more than $1.30 per spread. Each spread would then yield $98.70. This trade reduces your buying power by $500, making your net investment $401.30 per spread ($500 – $98.70). If ISRG closes above $350 on Mar 15, the options will expire worthless and your return on the spread would be 25% ($98.70/$401.30).

Testimonial

It is often said that options are to stock trading as chess is to checkers. I was looking to find the chess master amongst the checker’s champs, and Terry is the one. Looking for very smart yet understandable way to trade options? Look no further. ~ Phil Wells

Remember to click here, select Sign Up Now and use Coupon Code D21M to start a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips for half off. And get Terry’s eBook for free.

Any questions?  Email Jon@terrystips.com. Thank you again for being a part of the
Terry’s Tips newsletter.

January 17, 2024

January 17, 2024

Dear [[firstname]],

It may be a little late, but Happy New Year! I haven’t sent an issue for a while because the credits for our weekly trades weren’t close enough to my target entry prices. As you know, I will not send an issue with a trade you have no chance of entering. This week, however, the credit is higher than when I sent the trade to our premium subscribers, meaning your maximum profit is now greater.

This is my first chance to tell you about the amazing profits we racked up last year. Our QQQ portfolio gained more than 90% for the year, while our MSFT portfolio brought in 70%. We’re on some kind of roll with MSFT, averaging gains of more than 100% over the past 5 years. And 2024 has started the same way … in the profit column.

You can’t afford to miss out on these profits. Resolve to make 2024 your best trading year ever with a subscription to Terry’s Tips.

For our loyal newsletter subscribers (that’s you), I’m of course keeping the sale going that saves you more than 50% on a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips. Plus, I’m adding a promise that this rate will never increase. I won’t make this promise forever, though, so now is the time to get in on the action … and profits.

As a Premium Member to Terry’s Tips, you’ll get …

  • A month of all trade alerts in our four portfolios, giving detailed instructions for entering and exiting positions. Trade one portfolio or all four. It’s up to you.
  • Four to five (depending on the month) weekly issues of our Saturday Report, which shows all the trades and positions for our four portfolios, a discussion of the week’s trading activity and early access to our Option Trade of the Week.
  • Instructions on how to execute the 10K Strategy on your own.
  • A 14-day options tutorial on the opportunities and risks of trading options.
  • Our updated 10K Strategy white paper, a thorough discussion of the strategy basics and tactics.
  • Full-member access to all our premium special reports that can make you a wiser and more profitable options trader. 

And for a limited time, I am including a Special Bonus. Terry Allen has condensed his 30 years of options trading experience into an eBook – Making 36% – A Duffer’s Guide to Breaking Par in the Market Every Year, in Good Years and Bad.” Learn a different way to trade using Terry’s unique and decades-tested 10K Strategy. This book is normally $9.98 on our website (and $19.95 on Amazon), but I will personally send you the digital version for free with a paid subscription.  

To become a Terry’s Tips Premium Member, just Click Here, select Sign Up Now and use Coupon Code D21M to start a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips for half off. You can cancel after a month but, of course, keep all the valuable reports and the book.

I look forward to having you join in the fun and profits! Now on to the trade …

United We Fall

Earnings season started this week, though the number of reports was limited. Big banks dominated the headlines, but I didn’t see anything tradeable there. And I was looking for a bearish play to diversify a portfolio that will be all put spreads after this coming Friday.

So, I went with a company that’s bigger – by market cap – than any bank: UnitedHealth Group (UNH). The company reported on Friday, beating expectations for both revenue and income. But a key metric – the medical cost ratio – came in well above estimates. And that proved to be UNH’s undoing, as the stock slumped 3.4% on Friday.

UNH has a half-trillion-dollar market cap, so it gets a lot of analyst coverage. But oddly, there wasn’t a peep from the analyst community on Friday –  no ratings changes and no target price moves. Perhaps they were mulling over their overly bullish stance toward the stock.

According to Yahoo! Finance, all 22 rating analysts consider UNH a buy or strong buy. The average target price is around $600, which is 15% above Friday’s close and 7% above the stock’s all-time high, set in October 2022. And it’s not like UNH set the world on fire in 2023. In fact, the stock closed the year a few bucks lower. Maybe we’ll start seeing some analysts ease back on the throttle and temper their targets and ratings, which could put some pressure on the stock.

The price drop on Friday pulled the shares below both their 20-day and 50-day moving averages. For the technical purists, the 20-day (blue line) bearishly crossed below the 50-day (red line) at the end of last year.

I’ve also noted an interesting pattern with UNH. Whatever the stock does the day after earnings tends to be the path for the next several weeks. After the past two earnings reports, the stock gained after earnings and continued to be higher through the subsequent five weeks. The two quarters before that, it was the opposite story – lower the day after earnings and five weeks after earnings. So, if history holds, UNH may find some rough sledding for the next few weeks. Plus, it will have to overcome its short-term moving averages, which are both headed lower.

This week’s bearish call spread has a short strike at the 540 level, which is above both the 20-day and 50-day moving averages. It also sits in an area where the stock has struggled to consistently stay above. Note that this is a 10-point spread because that is the strike increment in the 16Feb series. We’re going with the monthly series because UNH’s weekly options have poorer liquidity. Thus, these spreads will require more buying power, as noted below.

If you agree that the stock will continue to struggle after its earnings slump, consider the following credit spread trade that relies on UNH staying below $540 (green line) through expiration in 5 weeks:

Buy to Open the UNH 16 Feb 550 call (UNH240216C550)
Sell to Open the UNH 16 Feb 540 call (UNH240216C540)

for a credit of $2.20 (selling a vertical)

This credit is $0.10 less than the mid-point price of the spread at Friday’s $521.51 close.   Unless UNH falls sharply at the open on Tuesday, you should be able to get close to that price.

The commission on this trade should be no more than $1.30 per spread. Each spread would then yield $218.70. This trade reduces your buying power by $1,000, making your net investment $781.30 per spread ($1,000 – $218.70). If UNH closes below $540 on Feb 16, the options will expire worthless and your return on the spread would be 8% ($218.70/$781.30).

Testimonial of the Week

I have been a subscriber for about a year. I autotrade in 2 different accounts, all your strategies. I read everything you write on Saturdays. I love your happiness thoughts and everything else. I usually do not communicate at all but I had to tell you how well my accounts with you are doing compared to everything else. You are awesome. Keep up the good work. Thank you. – Maya

Remember to click here, select Sign Up Now and use Coupon Code D21M to start a monthly subscription to Terry’s Tips for half off. And get Terry’s eBook for free.

Any questions?  Email Jon@terrystips.com. Thank you again for being a part of the Terry’s Tips newsletter.

Happy trading,

Jon L

Making 36%

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