MU – 61% loss: Sell to Close 2 Contracts (or 100% of your Contracts) July 18 $125/$145 Call Vertical Spreads @ $2.30 Credit. 
DailyPlay Portfolio:  By Closing 2 Contracts, we will be collecting $460. We initially opened these 2 contracts on June 25 @ $5.86 Debit. Our loss, therefore, is $356 per contract.

AAPL – 78% loss: Sell to Close 3 Contracts (or 100% of your Contracts) July 18 $205/$195 Put Vertical Spreads @ $1.15 Credit. 
DailyPlay Portfolio:  By Closing 3 Contracts, we will be collecting $345. We adjusted the 3 short puts on June 26 reducing our cost basis to $1,590 Debit. Our loss, therefore, is $415 per contract.

TGT Bullish Opening Trade Signal

Investment Rationale

Investment Thesis:
Target Corp. (TGT) appears to be at a potential inflection point following a multi-year drawdown, offering an attractive setup for investors seeking value with upside optionality. Despite being down more than 50% from its highs, the stock has recently shown signs of stabilization and regained critical levels, suggesting improving sentiment. In a defensive retail space where peers trade at rich valuations and compressing margins, Target stands out with its attractive earnings multiple, strong dividend yield, and industry-leading profitability. As macro pressures from tariffs and inflation persist, TGT’s lean cost structure and disciplined capital return profile offer an edge in a risk-conscious market.

Technical Analysis:
TGT has broken out above the key $100 psychological level after months of basing, supported by rising short-term moving averages and strengthening volume trends. The price action now shows early trend development, with the stock pressing against the $104 level and attracting momentum buyers. RSI at 64 indicates building upside pressure without entering overbought territory, while the upward-sloping 20-day and 50-day MAs reflect a short-term shift in trend. The setup favors a move toward the $120–130 resistance zone, offering an asymmetric opportunity for early entry before broader confirmation.

Fundamental Analysis:
TGT trades at a substantial discount to its peers despite growth expectations that are in line and net margins that beat more than 75% of its peers.

• Forward PE Ratio: 13.49x vs. Industry Median 18.09x
  
• Expected EPS Growth: 9.22% vs. Industry Median 8.99%
  
• Expected Revenue Growth: 1.15% vs. Industry Median 5.26%
  
• Net Margins: 3.95% vs. Industry Median 2.29%
  

Options Trade:
After the breakout, we are considering Buy to Open 1 TGT Aug 15, 2025 $100 Call @ $723. This long call strategy provides upside exposure with defined risk, controlling 100 shares for just 7% of the stock’s price. The $100 strike is now slightly in-the-money, aligning with the recent technical breakout and capturing further upside toward the $120–130 resistance zone. The maximum risk is the $723 premium paid, while the potential reward exceeds 3:1 if shares approach $130, offering a leveraged way to play a continued recovery in TGT.

TGT – Daily

Trade Details

Strategy Details

Strategy: Long Call

Direction: Bullish Call

Details: Buy to Open 2 TGT Aug 15 $100 Call @ $7.23 Debit per Contract.

Total Risk: This trade has a max risk of $1,446 (2 Contracts x $723) based on a hypothetical $100k portfolio risking 2%. We suggest risking only 2% of the value of your portfolio and divide it by $723 to select the # contracts for your portfolio.

Trend Continuation Signal: This is a bullish trade on a stock that is expected to continue higher over the duration of this trade.

1M/6M Trends: Bullish/Neutral

Relative Strength: 2/10

OptionsPlay Score: 85

Stop Loss: @ $3.62 (50% loss of premium)

View TGT Trade

Entering the Trade

Use the following details to enter the trade on your trading platform. Please note that whenever there is a multi-leg option strategy, it should be entered as a single trade. 

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are based on Tuesday’s closing prices. Should the underlying move significantly during the pre-market hours, we will likely adjust the strikes and prices to reflect a more accurate trade entry. 

View TGT Trade

Closing Trade

• MSFT – 52% gain: Buy to Close 2 Contracts (or 100% of your Contracts) Aug 01 $475/$460 Put Vertical Spreads @ $2.45 Debit. DailyPlay Portfolio:  By Closing 2 Contracts, we will be paying $490. We initially opened these 2 contracts on June 17 @ $5.07 Credit. Our gain, therefore, is $524.

XYZ Bullish Opening Trade Signal

Investment Rationale

Investment Thesis:
Block Inc. (XYZ) presents a timely bullish setup, supported by strong recent price action and an attractive valuation. With earnings scheduled for August 7, 2025, traders have an opportunity to position ahead of the event without taking on direct earnings risk. Momentum has continued to build, and as the stock outperforms the broader market, our $85 upside target remains in focus. Our options strategy is designed to capture this strength while avoiding earnings-related volatility.

Technical Analysis:
XYZ recently broke out above multi-month consolidation with sustained accumulation and a constructive pattern of higher lows and higher highs. The stock has reclaimed both the 20-day and 50-day moving averages and is now pushing toward the 200-day at $71.32, which marks the next key resistance level. Relative strength continues to improve, and with volume building and RSI trending higher, the price action supports a bullish continuation setup. The $62 level marks solid support, aligning with the breakout base and prior resistance zone from late May.

Fundamental Analysis:
XYZ trades at a discount relative to its industry while boasting growth and profitability metrics that exceed its sector peers. The valuation gap, coupled with strong earnings and revenue projections, signals potential for multiple expansion and continued investor re-rating.

• Forward PE Ratio: 14.65x vs. Industry Median 26.35x
  
• Expected EPS Growth: 23.90% vs. Industry Median 11.69%
  
• Expected Revenue Growth: 11.39% vs. Industry Median 9.38%
  
• Net Margins: 10.93% vs. Industry Median 8.59%
  

Options Trade:
To capitalize on the bullish setup while avoiding earnings risk, we recommend selling a short-dated put vertical: Sell to Open 1 XYZ Aug 1, 2025 67/62 Put Vertical @ $1.78.  This trade collects a net credit of $1.78 ($178) with a defined risk of $3.22 ($322), yielding a potential 55% return on risk if XYZ stays above $67 through expiration. With 31 days to expiry, the setup benefits from time decay and technical support near $62, while avoiding the Aug 7 earnings event altogether.

XYZ – Daily

Trade Details

Strategy Details

Strategy: Short Put Vertical Spread

Direction: Bullish Credit Spread

Details: Sell to Open 6 XYZ Aug 01 $67/$62 Put Vertical Spreads @ $1.78 Credit per Contract.

Total Risk: This trade has a max risk of $1,932 (6 Contracts x $322) based on a hypothetical $100k portfolio risking 2%. We suggest risking only 2% of the value of your portfolio and divide it by $322 to select the # contracts for your portfolio.

Trend Continuation Signal: This is a bullish trade on a stock that is expected to continue higher over the duration of this trade.

1M/6M Trends: Bullish/Mildly Bullish

Relative Strength: 2/10

OptionsPlay Score: 93

Stop Loss: @ $3.56 (100% loss to value of premium)

View XYZ Trade

Entering the Trade

Use the following details to enter the trade on your trading platform. Please note that whenever there is a multi-leg option strategy, it should be entered as a single trade. 

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are based on Monday’s closing prices. Should the underlying move significantly during the pre-market hours, we will likely adjust the strikes and prices to reflect a more accurate trade entry. 

View XYZ Trade

DailyPlay Portfolio Review

Our Trades

AAPL – 18 DTE

Bearish Debit Spread – Apple Inc. (AAPL) – The trade has seen limited movement, fluctuating just above and below breakeven. Apple’s valuation remains elevated compared to its peers, while trade and tariff concerns persist. We made an adjustment last week to reduce the cost basis, decreasing overall risk and giving the bearish outlook more time to materialize.

ABNB – 25 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread – Airbnb Inc. (ABNB) – The position is currently down, as the stock has remained range-bound. A breakout above the $135 level is needed to generate upside momentum. With the stock trading near the upper end of its range, we plan to stay the course for now.

MSFT – 32 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread – Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) – The stock continues to show strong upside momentum, trading well above its 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day moving averages. With a solid gain in place, we intend to maintain our current position.

MU – 18 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread, Micron Technology, Inc. (MU), Micron (MU) released earnings last week. Prior to the report, we took some profits on a MU bull call vertical spread and repositioned accordingly. Despite solid results and guidance, the stock pulled back. We continue to hold a bullish outlook and will maintain the adjusted position.

SCHW – 172 DTE

Bullish Long Call – Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) – Our outlook remains positive, supported by strong company fundamentals and continued strength in both SCHW and the broader financial sector.

USO – 32 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread, United States Oil Fund, LP (USO), The position is currently down, and we’re closely monitoring oil prices ahead of the OPEC International Seminar on July 9th, a key event that will most likely impact the market.

WMT – 32 DTE

Bearish Credit Spread – Walmart Inc. (WMT) – We’re currently down slightly on this position. At this stage, we plan to hold steady.

• GOOGL – 64% gain: Buy to Close 4 Contracts (or 100% of your Contracts) July 18 $165/$157.5 Put Vertical Spreads @ $0.88 Debit. DailyPlay Portfolio:  By Closing 4 Contracts, we will be paying $352. We initially opened these 4 contracts on June 24 @ $2.43 Credit. Our gain, therefore, is $620.

AAPL Bearish Trade Adjustment Signal

Investment Rationale

Adjustment Rationale:

Our bearish stance on Apple, Inc. (AAPL) remains intact, and we are holding 3 AAPL Jul 18, 2025 205/180 Bear Put Vertical Spreads within the Daily Play portfolio. Apple’s valuation continues to outpace peers, while unresolved trade and tariff risks persist. With the initial trade now at the halfway point to expiration, we’re managing risk by rolling the short 180 put up to the 195 strike, same expiration, for a net credit. Closing the position is also a viable alternative, but the roll effectively keeps the bearish idea in play and reduces the max risk of the position.

Adjustment Trade

Days to Expiration (DTE): 22

Buy to Close: 3 AAPL Jul 18, 2025 180 Puts @ $0.45

Sell to Open: 3 AAPL Jul 18, 2025 195 Puts @ $2.28

Mid: $1.83

Average Premium Received: $1.83 net credit

or $549 (300 x $1.83) for the adjustment trade

AAPL – Daily

Trade Details

Strategy Details

Strategy: Rolling a Short Put option up in strike

Direction: Resulting in a new Bearish Debit Spread

Details: Buy to Close 3 AAPL July 18 $180 Puts and Sell to Open 3 AAPL July 18 $195 Puts @ $1.83

Total Risk: The resulting position has a maximum risk of $1701 (2250 – 549), calculated as the initial cost basis of the 3 spreads purchased ($2250) minus the premium received from the adjustment ($549).

Trend Continuation Signal: This is a bearish trade on a stock that is expected to continue lower off a recent area of resistance.

1M/6M Trends: Neutral/Bearish

Relative Strength: 2/10

Stop Loss: @ $2.84(50% loss of premium)

Entering the Trade

Use the following details to enter the trade on your trading platform. Please note that whenever there is a multi-leg option strategy, it should be entered as a single trade. 

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are based on Wednesday’s closing prices. Should the underlying move significantly during the pre-market hours, we will likely adjust the strikes and prices to reflect a more accurate trade entry. 

MU Bullish Opening Trade Signal

Investment Rationale

Investment Thesis
Micron Technology (MU) presents a high-conviction bullish setup heading into its earnings report today, Wednesday June 25th, with the options market pricing an 8.11% expected move. Micron is mentioned in the earnings navigator section at the end of this week’s trade ideas research report, reflecting its prominence as a top earnings catalyst this week. The stock is benefitting from a powerful convergence of secular tailwinds and earnings momentum, particularly tied to the AI-driven demand for high-performance memory. As one of the best-positioned plays in the DRAM and NAND recovery cycle, MU stands to outperform in the second half of 2025. A strong earnings beat and guide could drive further institutional accumulation, especially given its deep relative valuation discount and surging growth profile. The setup is attractive both as a short-term catalyst trade and a longer-term structural long.

Technical Analysis:
MU has decisively broken out above the $110 resistance zone and is now trading at multi-year highs, closing at $127.91. Price action remains bullish, supported by a steepening trendline that has developed since April. The stock is trading well above its 20-, 50-, and 200-day moving averages, all of which are trending higher. Volume trends also indicate accumulation, adding conviction to the breakout ahead of earnings. One potential concern is the RSI, which has reached 83, suggesting the stock may be approaching overbought territory. However, there is still some opportunity for further upside if the earnings report is perceived positively by the market, with our upside target at $135.

Fundamental Analysis:
Micron remains one of the most attractive names in the semiconductor space on a valuation-adjusted growth basis, with AI tailwinds accelerating demand for next-gen memory products. Industry dynamics are improving, and Micron is expected to deliver a notable earnings inflection as pricing recovers.

• Forward PE Ratio: 11.73x vs. Industry Median 22.84x
  
• Expected EPS Growth: 99.92% vs. Industry Median 16.50%
  
• Expected Revenue Growth: 22.73% vs. Industry Median 10.46%
  
• Net Margins: 14.92% vs. Industry Median 10.43%
  

Options Trade:
A bullish call vertical is favored into earnings: Buy the MU Jul 18, 2025 125/145 Call Spread for $6.69. This trade risks $669 to potentially make $1,331 (2.0x reward-to-risk ratio) if MU closes above $145 by expiration. With 24 days to expiry, this structure captures the earnings event while capping downside versus outright calls. The 125 strike sits just in-the-money, while the 145 target aligns with a post-earnings extension consistent with the implied move and current momentum. This trade expresses a directional bullish view while maintaining defined risk.

MU – Daily

Trade Details

Strategy Details

Strategy: Long Call Vertical Spread

Direction: Bullish Debit Spread

Details: Buy to Open 2 MU July 18 $125/$145 Call Vertical Spreads @ $6.69 Debit per Contract.

Total Risk: This trade has a max risk of $1,338 (2 Contracts x $669) based on a hypothetical $100k portfolio risking 2%. We suggest risking only 2% of the value of your portfolio and divide it by $669 to select the # contracts for your portfolio.

Trend Continuation Signal: This is a bullish trade on a stock that is expected to continue higher over the duration of this trade.

1M/6M Trends: Bullish/Bullish

Relative Strength: 10/10

OptionsPlay Score: 116

Stop Loss: @ $3.35 (50% loss of premium)

View MU Trade

Entering the Trade

Use the following details to enter the trade on your trading platform. Please note that whenever there is a multi-leg option strategy, it should be entered as a single trade. 

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are based on Tuesday’s closing prices. Should the underlying move significantly during the pre-market hours, we will likely adjust the strikes and prices to reflect a more accurate trade entry. 

View MU Trade

Closing Trade

• MU – 50% gain: Sell to Close 5 Contracts (or 100% of your Contracts) July 11 $117/$130 Call Vertical Spreads @ $5.95 Credit. DailyPlay Portfolio:  By Closing 5 Contracts, we will be collecting $2,975. Our cost basis on the trade was $1,995 Debit. Our gain, therefore, is $980.

GOOGL Bullish Opening Trade Signal

Investment Rationale

Investment Thesis:
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) presents an attractive bullish setup driven by a combination of technical resilience, compelling valuation, and strong business fundamentals. As one of the core pillars of digital advertising, AI infrastructure, and cloud computing, Alphabet remains well-positioned to benefit from ongoing secular trends in digital transformation and enterprise AI adoption. With earnings scheduled for July 22, we seek to capitalize on short-term price stability and potential upside while avoiding the volatility premium typically associated with earnings events. Our focus is on capturing this opportunity through a defined-risk put spread that expires before the report.

Technical Analysis:
GOOGL is undergoing a constructive pullback within a well-established bullish trend, offering a favorable setup for trend-following traders. The stock recently broke out of a multi-month consolidation and has now pulled back to retest key support near $165, which aligns with prior resistance and marks a critical retracement zone. Price action is beginning to stabilize, and GOOGL continues to hold above its rising 50-day moving average, reinforcing the strength of the longer-term uptrend. This pullback presents a compelling risk/reward opportunity, with a successful defense of the $165 level likely to set the stage for a move back toward the $175–$185 resistance range and our $185 upside target.

Fundamental Analysis:
GOOGL continues to trade at a relative discount despite its strong profitability and growth outlook, reinforcing its status as a high-quality compounder. Margins remain well above peers, driven by the efficiency of its advertising engine and growing contribution from higher-margin businesses like Google Cloud and YouTube.

• Forward PE Ratio: 17.39x vs. Industry Median 19.15x
  
• Expected EPS Growth: 12.80% vs. Industry Median 12.58%
  
• Expected Revenue Growth: 10.46% vs. Industry Median 11.73%
  
• Net Margins: 30.86% vs. Industry Median 6.28%
  

Options Trade:
To express this bullish thesis while avoiding pre-earnings volatility expansion, we suggest selling the GOOGL Jul 18, 2025 $165/$157.50 Put Vertical for a $2.43 credit. This defined-risk trade collects premium by selling the $165 put and buying the $157.50 put.  Max profit is earned if GOOGL stays at or above $165. Max loss occurs below $157.50. With a solid 2 to 1 risk-reward ratio, this setup benefits from time decay and supports our view that GOOGL holds firm or trends higher in the near term.

GOOGL – Daily

Trade Details

Strategy Details

Strategy: Short Put Vertical Spread

Direction: Bullish Credit Spread

Details: Sell to Open 4 GOOGL July 18 $165/$157.50 Put Verticals @ $2.43 Credit per Contract.

Total Risk: This trade has a max risk of $2,028 (4 Contracts x $507) based on a hypothetical $100k portfolio risking 2%. We suggest risking only 2% of the value of your portfolio and divide it by $507 to select the # contracts for your portfolio.

Trend Continuation Signal: This is a bullish trade on a stock that is expected to continue higher over the duration of this trade.

1M/6M Trends: Mildly Bearish/Neutral

Relative Strength: 2/10

OptionsPlay Score: 86

Stop Loss: @ $4.86 Debit (100% loss to value of premium)

View GOOGL Trade

Entering the Trade

Use the following details to enter the trade on your trading platform. Please note that whenever there is a multi-leg option strategy, it should be entered as a single trade. 

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are based on Monday’s closing prices. Should the underlying move significantly during the pre-market hours, we will likely adjust the strikes and prices to reflect a more accurate trade entry. 

View GOOGL Trade

DailyPlay Portfolio Review

Our Trades

AAPL – 25 DTE

This trade has hovered around breakeven, fluctuating between modest gains and losses. Apple remains priced at a premium compared to its peers and continues to deal with unresolved concerns around the trade war and tariffs. With ample time left until expiration, we will continue to hold the position.

ABNB – 32 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread – Airbnb Inc. (ABNB) – We recently entered this position. The stock was down this week with the general direction of the market and we plan to hold our course at this time.

MSFT – 39 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread – Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) – The stock built some strong upside momentum last week. We have a solid gain and plan to stay the course for now.

MU – 18 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread – Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) – We have a solid gain in this position. MU had a strong week, with upside momentum continuing. The company is scheduled to report earnings on Wednesday, June 25th, after the market close. If the gain continues, we may look to close the position to capture profits without taking on the risk of the earnings report. We will be watching this position closely early in the week.

SCHW – 179 DTE

Bullish Long Call – Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) – Our outlook remains positive, supported by strong company fundamentals and continued strength in both SCHW and the broader financial sector.

USO – 39 DTE

Bullish Credit Spread – United States Oil Fund, LP (USO) – We recently established this position, and considering the geopolitical events that occurred over the weekend, we plan to stay the course for now.

WMT – 39 DTE

Bearish Credit Spread – Walmart Inc. (WMT) – We recently established this position and currently have a small gain. For now, we plan to stay the course.

USO Bullish Opening Trade Signal

Investment Rationale

Investment Thesis
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are injecting a renewed risk premium into global oil markets, lifting the appeal of crude oil-linked ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (USO). With the Strait of Hormuz under threat and oil futures reacting swiftly to headlines, USO stands to benefit as traders seek liquid instruments to express bullish crude views. While oil markets have at times decoupled from geopolitical events, the scale and persistence of current threats argue for sustained upward pressure on prices. Against this backdrop, USO offers a compelling vehicle to position for continued strength in oil.

Technical Analysis
USO has recently broken above its 50-day and 20-day moving averages, reclaiming the $82 level with strong volume confirmation. The ETF shows renewed upside momentum after a prolonged consolidation between $67 and $75, with RSI turning higher but not yet overbought—suggesting additional room to run. The next technical resistance lies around $85, while the $75 area now serves as initial support. The reclaim of the 200-day moving average earlier this quarter reinforces a bullish trend reversal and validates bullish exposure with defined risk.

Commodity Analysis
Oil prices remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, and USO’s value is closely tied to the front-month WTI crude futures it holds. As global supply risks intensify, especially via the Strait of Hormuz, traders are re-pricing crude oil with a heightened premium. USO benefits directly from this repricing dynamic as a proxy for crude.

Options Trade
The trade is a bull put vertical spread, selling the USO Aug 1, 2025 $80 put and buying the $74 put for a net credit. If USO is above $80 at expiration, the maximum reward is achieved. This setup allows traders to express a bullish view without requiring a further rally—USO merely needs to hold above the short strike. The $80 level is well above technical support and reflects confidence in elevated oil prices persisting short-term due to global instability. The risk-reward ratio is 0.86, meaning for every dollar at risk, we aim to make 86 cents. A favorable volatility skew enhances the appeal of this particular trade.

USO – Daily

Trade Details

Strategy Details

Strategy: Short Put Vertical Spread

Direction: Bullish Credit Spread

Details: Sell to Open 6 USO Aug 01 $80/$74 Put Verticals @ $2.77 Credit per Contract.

Total Risk: This trade has a max risk of $1,938 (6 Contracts x $323) based on a hypothetical $100k portfolio risking 2%. We suggest risking only 2% of the value of your portfolio and divide it by $323 to select the # contracts for your portfolio.

Trend Continuation Signal: This is a bullish trade on a stock that is expected to continue higher over the duration of this trade.

1M/6M Trends: Bullish/Bullish

Relative Strength: 9/10

OptionsPlay Score: 108

Stop Loss: @ $5.54 (100% loss to value of premium)

View USO Trade

Entering the Trade

Use the following details to enter the trade on your trading platform. Please note that whenever there is a multi-leg option strategy, it should be entered as a single trade. 

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are based on Wednesday’s closing prices. Should the underlying move significantly during the pre-market hours, we will likely adjust the strikes and prices to reflect a more accurate trade entry. 

View USO Trade