OptionsPlay DailyPlay Ideas Menu – March 23th, 2026

💰 The Income Generators (High Probability, Cash Flow)

• EXE: Bullish Put Spread capitalizing on a trend-following buy signal and geopolitical supply constraints, sourced from our Iran Oil & Gas Research.

🚀 The Growth Seekers (Higher Risk, Max Reward)

• (No trades in this category today)

🛡️ The Portfolio Protectors (Hedges & Bearish Bets)

• INTC: Bearish Call Spread fading an overvalued fundamental profile based on a technical sell signal flagged in our Semiconductor Research.
• EXPE: Bearish Put Spread acting as a strategic hedge against a pullback in discretionary travel spending amid a stagflationary environment.

1. EXE ($107.32) – Expanding the Energy Edge

• We’re betting on: If geopolitical tensions involving Iran continue to place a premium on domestic energy assets, EXE will sustain its bullish momentum and stay comfortably above our $105 strike through mid-May.
• The Trade: Sell to Open the EXE May 15, 2026 105/95 Put Vertical @ $3.50 Credit.
  • 🟢 BUY TO OPEN May 15, 2026 95 Put @ $2.30
  • 🔴 SELL TO OPEN May 15, 2026 105 Put @ $5.80
• Trade Metrics: POP: 60.35% | Collect $350.00 per contract vs. a Max Risk of $650.00 (1.9:1).
• The Why: Highlighted as a buy in our Iran Oil & Gas Research, Expand Energy offers strategic exposure to domestic energy markets, benefiting from geopolitical supply constraints and a solid long-term demand curve.
• The Technicals: Displaying strong Relative Strength (9/10) within a confirmed Bullish Trend (1M & 6M), the stock recently triggered a trend-following buy signal, offering a solid premium collection entry above its $96 support floor.
• Management:
  • ⚠️ Warning: Earnings is scheduled for Apr 28, which may require active management.
  • Stop Loss: Buy back the spread at $7.00 (100% of credit received).
  • Take Profit: Buy back the spread at $1.75 (50% of max gain).

2. INTC ($43.87) – Fading the Chipmaker

• We’re betting on: If overvalued fundamentals continue to weigh on investor sentiment and the stock faces selling pressure at overhead resistance, INTC will remain pinned below $44, securing maximum profit for this credit spread.
• The Trade: Sell to Open the INTC Apr 17, 2026 44/50 Call Vertical @ $2.05 Credit.
  • 🔴 SELL TO OPEN Apr 17, 2026 44 Call @ $3.05
  • 🟢 BUY TO OPEN Apr 17, 2026 50 Call @ $1.00
• Trade Metrics: POP: 64.94% | Collect $205.00 per contract vs. a Max Risk of $395.00 (1.9:1).
• The Why: Rated as a hold in our Semiconductor Research, Intel faces significant structural headwinds and an overvalued fundamental profile as it struggles to maintain market dominance against agile, fabless competitors.
• The Technicals: Displaying a short-term Bearish trend while consolidating sideways over the longer term (6M), the stock has triggered a bearish trend-following sell signal after failing to overcome overhead resistance near $55.
• Management:
  • Stop Loss: Buy back the spread at $4.10 (100% of credit received).
  • Take Profit: Buy back the spread at $1.03 (50% of max gain).

3. EXPE ($235.18) – Grounding Discretionary Travel

• We’re betting on: If stagflationary pressures force consumers to tighten their wallets and cut back on discretionary travel, EXPE’s current counter-trend rally will fail, driving the stock lower for a substantial downside payout.
• The Trade: Buy to Open the EXPE Apr 17, 2026 230/210 Put Vertical @ $6.02 Debit.
  • 🔴 SELL TO OPEN Apr 17, 2026 210 Put @ $4.78
  • 🟢 BUY TO OPEN Apr 17, 2026 230 Put @ $10.80
• Trade Metrics: POP: 39.90% | Pay $602.00 per contract vs. a Max Reward of $1,398.00 (2.3:1).
• The Why: In a stagflationary environment marked by sticky inflation and heightened geopolitical tensions, discretionary travel spending is often the first area to face consumer cutbacks, creating significant fundamental risk for booking platforms like Expedia.
• The Technicals: Currently experiencing a counter-trend rally within a longer-term Mildly Bearish trend (6M), the stock is approaching stiff overhead resistance near $253 with lower structural support sitting at $227.
• Management:
  • Stop Loss: Sell the spread at $3.01 (50% loss on premium).
  • Take Profit: Sell the spread at $10.54 (75% gain on premium).