Trim Best Positions, Use Options & Take A Drive

The market has plenty of positive underpinnings, but taking a little money off the table and using a safer options strategy was the advice from Charles Schwab optionsXpress in Thursday's monthly market update. That doesn’t mean closing positions, but taking some profits in successful trades, said Randy Frederick, managing director of active trading and derivatives with the Schwab Center for Financial Research. Joseph Cusick, a senior market analyst at optionsXpress, agreed. They explained an options strategy for a rising stock market, and discussed housing and the consumer. As for the summer driving season, Mike Zarembski, senior commodities analyst, optionsXpress, expects flat to lower gasoline prices, which should keep consumers happy. Here’s an edited version of the conference call: Q: Can this bull market continue?