When my friend and client—who manages a three-commas portfolio—calls me with a trade idea, I listen.
Sure, he’s human like the rest of us. Prone to bias, emotion, and the occasional bad read. But over the years, he’s earned my respect. He’s sharp, curious, and often brings fresh perspective to the table. So when his name pops up on my phone, I answer.
This week, he rang me up to talk about a stock that’s down 95% from its highs.
I’ll be honest—where I come from, we call that dumpster diving.
But as he laid out his case, I started to lean in.
He noted signs of a likely turn in the broader sector. He pointed out a major price gap from ten months ago that, if filled, could offer serious upside. And he reminded me that the stock in question is a “story stock”—the kind momentum traders love to chase if the price action gives them the green light.
While we talked, I pulled up the options chain and started scanning out in time—way out.
I found a June 2026 call with a roughly 1-in-4 shot of landing in the money. But if we’re right and that gap fills? That option could return 30x.
Risk a buck to potentially make thirty?
Now look… I’m under no illusions here. This is a long shot. But it’s asymmetric in the best way—limited downside, outsized upside, plenty of time.
And so I put the trade on—for myself and for members of All Star Options.
This is what I love about this business—and this community.
Just because you’re reading my notes doesn’t mean I’m the only expert in the room. Far from it.
I don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. Some of my best trades have come from conversations—whether with a friend managing billions or a member in our ASO chat sharing a clever wrinkle I hadn’t considered.
This is a give-and-take game. It’s about staying open, staying curious, and surrounding yourself with smart people who make you better.
That’s what this community is about. That’s what I’m grateful for.
Let’s keep sharing ideas and leveling each other up.
Sean McLaughlin | Chief Options Strategist, All Star Charts
