Latest news with #MichaelMartin
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Huron post office honors late veteran with new name
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The post office in Huron will now hold a new name. Family members, friends and residents gathered to honor fallen Army First Lt. Thomas Michael Martin by renaming the Huron post office in his memory, a news release from the United States Postal Office said. Buffalo Chip announces rally lineup According to the USPS, Martin was killed in action on October 14, 2007, in Iraq. Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. He's buried in the West Point National Cemetery and his hometown post office will be known as the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building. Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and Huron Mayor Mark Robish attended a ceremony at the post office in Huron along with family members. 'Tom began his life here, died in Iraq fighting for freedom that each of us enjoy every day. Our family is so proud that this beautiful historic facility in what Tom always felt was his hometown, will now be the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building,' Martin's father Ed said in a news release. Martin was born October 10, 1980, in Huron and in 1998, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Field Artilleryman. In 2001, he was accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and later graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He majored in Military Science, commissioned as an Armor Officer and completed the course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He reported to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Richardson, Alaska where he assumed responsibility as the Sniper Platoon Leader and deployed with the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2006, a news release said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
As Options Gain Popularity, Traders Must Arm Themselves With Education
Michael Martin is Vice President of Market Strategy at TradingBlock, a provider of custom trading technology solutions. Options trading has exploded in popularity over the past several years, and there are no signs of slowing down. More than 1.2 billion options contracts were executed in the U.S. in March alone, an increase of more than 30% over the previous year, according to the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), a Chicago-based equity derivatives clearing organization. However, as the number of contracts rises and the throng of new retail traders speculating with options grows, so does the failure to understand the risks involved. Retail traders often chase leveraged returns with options, only to learn too late that pricing and risk aren't as linear as equities. These examples not only reflect bad investor habits, such as emotional decision making and risk-prone trading, but also underscore a widespread lack of understanding of options strategies, how options pricing works and how to properly utilize them. Engaged investors and options-curious traders who want to learn how to leverage derivatives effectively need more education. As an options broker for more than 15 years, here are a few key things I recommend traders bone up on at the outset of their options education journey. The five essential options Greeks—Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega and Rho—are risk management tools that measure an option's sensitivity to various factors, from price changes to the passage of time. They provide a way to see what may happen with an option given certain variables. For example, Theta quantifies time decay—the erosion of an option's value as it nears expiration—and shows how much value an option loses daily. Not understanding this Greek is why many long option traders lose money. Delta, perhaps the most important of the Greeks, shows how much an option's price may change relative to a $1 change in the price of the underlying asset. Delta also gives us a ballpark range that an option has of expiring in the money, giving it value. For example, if you bought a 55 call option with a delta of 0.10, there's roughly a 10% chance it expires in the money. Knowing all the Greeks is critical for effectively trading options because they help traders understand how various market conditions will impact the price of the option, empowering them to make more informed decisions. Without the Greeks, options trading can become a guessing game. Implied volatility (IV) is another essential concept in options trading and reflects the market's expectation of future price movement, not actual movement. Traders can use the Greek Vega to measure and better understand how much IV can impact an option's value. A higher IV means the market expects bigger swings and more uncertainty, which would result in higher option premiums (even if the stock price holds steady), while a lower IV signifies that the market expects calm and more stability. Understanding how IV works is crucial because it affects what a trader will pay or receive for an option, and having this insight will empower them to spot overpriced or underpriced products. Options traders must be aware that short calls and puts expose them to something called early assignment risk, which is the chance that they will be forced to buy or sell the stock before the option expires. This can have significant financial consequences. If a short put option is assigned, a trader will end up with 100 long shares of stock in their trading account the following day. Conversely, if a short call option is assigned, they'll receive 100 short shares of stock. Assignment risk increases as expiration approaches and the option moves deeper in the money. The more in the money the option is—and the closer it is to expiration—the higher the likelihood that it will be assigned. Traders should know that short calls are also exposed to dividend risk. As what's called the ex-dividend date approaches, in-the-money calls are more likely to be assigned. The call buyer will likely exercise early to capture the dividend, leaving the call seller with short shares and no dividend payment. While learning about effectively utilizing options, it's also extremely valuable for traders to consider their own attitudes and behaviors. They should evaluate how much they want to be engaged in the market. If they are committed to only cursory engagement, then options probably aren't right for them. Successful options traders are regularly engaged in the market and want to get under the hood to explore the ins and outs of these sophisticated products. It's also important for a trader to understand their risk profile, which helps define the level of risk they are willing to take to reach their goals as an investor. Factors like how much market volatility or loss they are comfortable with, their time horizon and experience all play a role in forming this critical piece of the investment puzzle. Options traders should consider their psychological biases and ability to control their emotions because, as soon as emotions get involved in any type of trading scenario, things quickly go awry. Traders with strong track records keep their emotions in check and lean on systematic and strategic approaches. As options grow in popularity, it becomes increasingly important for traders to arm themselves with the right knowledge—not only about options but also about themselves. And while they ought to be wary of the get-rich-quick methods promulgated by social media influencers and the overhyped products that pepper financial newsletters, traders should tap into options resources built by industry veterans and made freely available on the internet. From growing video libraries and in-depth blogs to virtual trading and options calculators, these tools can help them develop a deeper understanding of this risky derivative and how to unlock its potential. The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify?
TechCrunch
22-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Strava is buying up athletic training apps – first Runna, and now The Breakaway
The social fitness app Strava has made two acquisitions over the last month and change: on Thursday, Strava's acquired cycling app The Breakaway, following its acquisition of Runna last month. Incubated in Y Combinator's Summer 2021 class, The Breakaway uses AI to create personalized training plans for cyclists working toward specific goals. Runna, a UK-based and JamJar-backed app, functions similarly, but is built for runners, rather than cyclists. Needless to say, Strava is signaling a very strong interest in selling training plan tools to its users. As one of the highest-grossing and most popular fitness apps, Strava allows users to track their workouts and plan their outdoor running routes, but it has differentiated itself by adding a social component, allowing users to see where, when, and how their friends exercise (it's as good a time as any to mention that Strava is public by default, so double-check your settings to make sure you're not accidentally doxxing yourself). Among power users, Strava's public API has become essential for athletes who want to customize the way that they interact with their Strava data — according to Strava CEO Michael Martin, there are hundreds of different training apps integrated with Strava. While apps like Runna and The Breakaway stood out to Strava for their quality, some users might still prefer another third-party app to plan their exercise routines… and typically, athletes do not like it when you mess with their routines. But the company has reassured users that it does not have any plans to stop offering an open API. Strava has not yet clarified exactly how or if features from Runna and The Breakaway will be integrated into the Strava app. Martin said that Runna will at least remain a standalone app, so it is likely that The Breakaway will follow a similar plan. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW 'There are so many opportunities to enhance the user journey,' Martin said after the Runna acquisition. 'Think about how runners plan routes in Strava, train with Runna, and then share back to Strava again – we want to reduce friction in that loop.' It's also yet to be determined if the pricing of these more premium products will change. Currently, a yearly Strava subscription costs about $80 per year, while yearly Runna and The Breakaway subscriptions cost about $120 and $70, respectively. But last month, Martin said that there are no plans to change pricing or to remove access to the free versions of these products.
Powys County Times
13-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Powys man jailed just 12 days after suspended sentence
A LLANDRINDOD Wells man has been jailed after police were called to a relative's house following a domestic disturbance, in which he had been smashing plates over his own head. Michael Martin, 31, was jailed at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday, May 12, after he told police he had knuckledusters in the house. The incident came just 12 days after Martin had received a suspended jail sentence for threatening family members while brandishing an axe and a baseball bat, posting videos of this on Facebook stories. Martin, of Glan Yr Ithon, Llandrindod, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an offensive weapon on March 31. He admitted the offence put him in breach of a suspended sentence he received at Merthyr Crown Court on March 17; this was for two counts of sending communication threatening death or serious harm. Alexandra Wilson, prosecuting, said Martin had been on remand at HMP Swansea since his arrest for the latest incident, which occurred on March 29. 'He entered a guilty plea to possessing an offensive weapon; this was committed during the suspended sentence order, and the case was committed to the crown court,' she said. 'At around 8.30pm officers were called to an address in Llandrindod, regarding a domestic incident. 'The defendant was in the hallway, he had cuts on his face and head. There had been a verbal argument with a relative, and he had been smashing plates over his own head. 'They believed he was under the influence, due to his slurred speech and he smelt of intoxicants. 'He was arrested on criminal damage, then he told police there were knuckledusters located on shelves in the living room. He told officers it was his.' Ms Wilson said Martin told police he had owned the knuckledusters for a number of years, having bought them online. He was unsure if they were illegal. Elin Morgan, representing Martin, said her client 'fully appreciates the gravity of the situation'. 'I'd invite your honour to stray away from activation (of the suspended sentence),' she said. 'He was arrested 12 days after the suspended sentence order. He stated he had had the knuckledusters for some time. He was hesitant as to how to get rid of it without getting in trouble. 'He has attended two sessions with probation after the order, he has complied in the little time he was at liberty. There hasn't been sufficient time to see any effects of the order.' She said Martin was 'entrenched' in problems with alcohol and has been taking medication in prison to abstain from alcohol. Regarding the incident, she said: 'He was not threatening family members; when police arrived he told them he was smashing plates over his head as punishment for falling out with a relative. 'This is a very serious hiccup, but I would ask you to continue to allow him to improve himself in the community.' Judge Richard Kember said the offence had passed the custody threshold and jailed Martin for 12 weeks. He activated the previous suspended sentence, one of 12 months, and the additional 12 weeks is to be served consecutively to this – making a total sentence of 15 months in jail.
CBS News
11-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Denver organization collects unwanted guns and turns them into "life-giving" tools
The organization is called Guns to Gardens, and the Denver chapter was created after the King Soopers shooting in Boulder back in 2021. Since then, they've disposed of hundreds of weapons, potentially saving hundreds of lives. The group held an event Saturday at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Denver. The volunteers run a well-organized drive-thru-style operation where people can hand over their guns, no questions asked. They watch as the guns are destroyed on-site by a saw. "We take it to the saw station, where it's destroyed, according to ATF legal guidelines," said Michael Martin, the founder of RAWtools, the organization Guns to Gardens is under. "Then once it's destroyed, the person turning it in there, they're just off to the side in their car, they're able to leave, and they get a gift card as a thank you." For retired schoolteacher Rita Niblack, every gun accepted is potentially a life saved. Now retired, she dedicates her time to making Denver safer. "People bring firearms for different reasons, and one of them is- they have children in their home, and they no longer want these," Niblack said. "We take firearms from people who say, 'I have a family member with dementia, I don't want this in my house anymore.' We have had people who brought us a firearm that was used for suicide of a family member, and they want to see it cut up so that it can't do harm to others." While volunteers pack up, the work is far from over for Martin. A seasoned blacksmith, he'll later transform the guns into gardening tools or art. "The idea of turning 'swords to plowshares' is what sparked a lot of this," Martin said. "Turning it into something that's going to cultivate life or bring joy to somebody's life, like jewelry or something else, art is really meaningful. And everybody here today, we had over 50 volunteers that are a piece of that." Niblack wears a piece of that art around her neck. The heart, formed from a gun, sends an impactful message. "I wear this because I want to remember how many hearts have been crushed by gun violence and keep them close to my heart as I do this work," she said. Martin estimates that there have been around 2,500 to 3,000 guns turned in within the Denver Metro area since they started these events back in 2021.
