Rob's Lobs

[Rob]

Comic Relief

Mr. Boffo

[Rob]

I notice that the 17.50 Aug. puts were selling at 0.60 yesterday at the close and the calls at 0.55. Does anyone here play options straddles? I never have, but this looks like an opportunity. Any thoughts on that? Thanks.

Well let's say you would have bought 10 of each. The cost would have been $1,150 (plus broker fee). Today, those calls went for 2.05 and the puts for 0.05. You could have sold those calls today for $2,050, a 78.26% profit, and you'd still have the puts, which could end up being worth something if the share price starts falling next week. And if it doesn't, you'd still have pocketed $900 (say $880 after fees) with practically zero risk.

[New-born baby]

Ebay

Rob,
I found this by accident and thought it interesting. I know you have your reasons for liking EBAY, earnings, etc,;but look at this article (very short) and tell us what you think:

http://www.mrswing.com/artman/publish/article_2456.shtml

[IIC]

Excerpt from a 2016 news article:

"All passengers will be required to completely disrobe and submit to a full body cavity search prior to boarding. Their clothing will be stowed with their checked baggage, and they will travel nude."

On another page in the same paper:

"Google (GOOG) shares closed at $3,045.90, down $100.00 or 3.18%."

This flying is going to become a real drag...My company is talking about me traveling a lot more next year...I don't mind traveling but when I'm gone for a week I just take my laptop case and a carryon...On my last trip I had 5 flights in 5 days...So what do I have to do...buy toothpaste 5 times?...Hotels have shampoo...but those that don't supply toothpaste should start...Doug

[Rob]

Rob,
I found this by accident and thought it interesting. I know you have your reasons for liking EBAY, earnings, etc,;but look at this article (very short) and tell us what you think:

http://www.mrswing.com/artman/publis...cle_2456.shtml

What I think: Statistics show that 7 out of 10 statistics are misleading. But seriously, I do question those stats, because clearly stated is the fact that these hits are "per million"; therefore the raw number (the numerator) could still be growing, but not as quickly as the number of Internet users (the denominator). Not only do they not reveal the raw numbers, they also do not tell you the source of these numbers--at least not conspicuously.

But let's assume the implication is correct and EBAY's traffic is declining, something on the order of 25-to-30% from the end of the 1st to end of the 2nd quarter. Well that's pretty cool, because their gross revenue simultaneously increased about 1.5% for the same period!

[Rob]

...So what do I have to do...buy toothpaste 5 times?...

Nah. Just stick it in your checked luggage. They'll still let you do that. Just make sure the cap is screwed on tightly.

[IIC]

Nah. Just stick it in your checked luggage. They'll still let you do that. Just make sure the cap is screwed on tightly.

But I don't check baggage when I only go for 4 nights

[Rob]

But I don't check baggage when I only go for 4 nights

Unless it's against your religion, I'd recommend starting. (If it is against your religion, I'd recommend changing religions.) You do have a couple other options: of course, the one you already mentioned, i.e. buying toothpaste at every place you land; also, you have the not particularly attractive option of not brushing your teeth.

[IIC]

Unless it's against your religion, I'd recommend starting. (If it is against your religion, I'd recommend changing religions.) You do have a couple other options: of course, the one you already mentioned, i.e. buying toothpaste at every place you land; also, you have the not particularly attractive option of not brushing your teeth.

Checking baggage is not against my religion...But standing in line is...Doug

[Rob]

Checking baggage is not against my religion...But standing in line is...Doug

Well guess what you're going to have to do at the register in the store where you go to buy your toothpaste. Besides, waiting for your luggage to hit the carousel is not really "standing in line" per se. It's more like just hanging out for a few minutes, people watching. I always stand back from the crowd and amuse myself watching those people who clamor to get the closest position to where the luggage comes out, as if waiting another 15 to 20 seconds for the bag to come round is some sort of great inconvenience. This is much more fun than standing in line at a cash register.

[jiesen]

Well guess what you're going to have to do at the register in the store where you go to buy your toothpaste. Besides, waiting for your luggage to hit the carousel is not really "standing in line" per se. It's more like just hanging out for a few minutes, people watching. I always stand back from the crowd and amuse myself watching those people who clamor to get the closest position to where the luggage comes out, as if waiting another 15 to 20 seconds for the bag to come round is some sort of great inconvenience. This is much more fun than standing in line at a cash register.

True, but usually you do need to stand in a line to check the bags.

[IIC]

True, but usually you do need to stand in a line to check the bags.

Plus they charge you 2 bux a bag plus tip for curbside checkin at JFK...otherwise you have to go inside and wait in line

[Rob]

True, but usually you do need to stand in a line to check the bags.

Ah yes. Perhaps that's what Doug was referring to. So I guess it comes down to choosing between: (1) standing in line at the baggage check at the airport, (2) finding a store to buy toothpaste at each stop, and then standing in line at their checkout (after which one would need to throw away a practically full tube of toothpaste), or (3) not brushing.

Personally I would opt for number 1.

[IIC]

Ah yes. Perhaps that's what Doug was referring to. So I guess it comes down to choosing between: (1) standing in line at the baggage check at the airport, (2) finding a store to buy toothpaste at each stop, and then standing in line at their checkout (after which one would need to throw away a practically full tube of toothpaste), or (3) not brushing.

Personally I would opt for number 1.

What if they lose your luggage?

[Rob]

What if they lose your luggage?

Then your luggage will be lost.

Edit: What if you're driving to a store to buy toothpaste, and you get in a traffic accident?