The StockTwits® Edge: 40 Actionable Trade Set-Ups from Real Market Pros

CHAPTER 27

Unusual Options Activity

Joe Kunkle, @OptionRadar

Joey is pound for pound one of the greatest traders on StockTwits. He throws out so many actionable ideas in such a timely fashion that he must have the distinction of being king of the shout-outs. We created StockTwits for people like Joey to come and share in real time. He makes us feel smart.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

—Vince Lombardi

HACKING MY PARENTS' TRADING ACCOUNT

I am an active trader in the equity markets with a focus on event-driven options trading. I use a combination of fundamental, technical, and options activity analysis to seek out stocks setting up for a big move.

I started trading when I was 15 years old. I hacked into my parents E*Trade account while they were on vacation. Although the act was looked down upon, it was hard for them to punish me when they saw what I had accomplished in the markets in just five days of trading. My first trade was buying shares in MicroStrategy (MSTR) around $18 per share and watching it go parabolic (to $1,500 by early 2000).

I became obsessed with the stock market. I would come home from football practice and instead of taking a nap, I would turn on CNBC and absorb as much information as possible.

I guess some of it was in my blood. My great-grandfather worked on Wall Street for many years and, combining that with my attraction to the gambling nature of the stock market, I had the urge to pursue trading as a ...