The Motley Fool's Weekly Editors' Picks
Fools were out and about this week in an investing world jampacked with actions and ideas. Here are three articles you might find useful as you decide how to invest your money.
3 Simple Options Trades on Companies You Already KnowMaking money doesn't have to be difficult. Fool analyst Alex Pape shares three options strategies that even novice investors could consider. "Often, writing puts (a simple options trade) can put a nice chunk of change in your pocket while your know-it-all neighbor's iron condor (a complicated options strategy) is shot out of the sky," Alex wrote.
He laid out the reasoning behind writing puts on Microsoft (NAS: MSFT) , writing covered calls on Activision Blizzard (NAS: ATVI) , and buying LEAPs on Berkshire Hathaway (NYS: BRK.B) .
Read the article to find out how options can boost your portfolio without giving you a headache.
Target's Buzz Hits the Bull's-Eye
Target's (NYS: TGT) hit was mixed with a miss. "This week, the discounter unveiled a designer line that built so much buzz that a horde of eager shoppers crashed the company's website," Fool analyst Alyce Lomax wrote. "Demand surged beyond the discount retailer's expectations and capacity."
Does Target have what it takes to catapult the chic-cheap image of its goods to the top of shoppers' lists? Is it in a sweet spot between inexpensive and luxury? Read the article to find out what Alyce had to say.
The 3 Biggest Predictions About the Economy That Never Came TrueFool columnist Morgan Housel acknowledges investors' craving for market predictions but reminds us that "the collective track record of expert judgment" has been a poor one.
Morgan looked at three big predictions about the economy that never came true.
1980s: Japan will take over the globe.
Every decade for almost a century: The world will soon run out of oil.
2001: The national debt will be repaid within a decade.
Focusing on the second prediction in that list, Morgan points out how the oil situation is never static. "In oil's case, high prices cause consumption to fall and exploration to rise. Things adjust, and the world keeps chugging along," Morgan wrote. "Companies such as ExxonMobil (NYS: XOM) and Chevron (NYS: CVX) have become some of the most skillful engineers in the world. When the price is right, they have every incentive to be."
Read the full article for more insight.
See a stock in this story you'd like to follow? Add it toMy Watchlist, which will find all of our Foolish analysis on it.
At the time thisarticle was published Fool online editorKris Eddyowns no shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, and Activision Blizzard, and has written calls on Activision Blizzard.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, and Chevron; creating a bull call spread position in Microsoft; and creating a synthetic long position in Activision Blizzard. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.
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