Simplex Trading Portfolio holdings
Simplex Trading, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a technology-driven proprietary trading firm specializing in market-making and liquidity provision, primarily in U.S. equity options and futures options. Leveraging advanced proprietary software and data-driven analysis, the firm optimizes trading strategies and develops innovative solutions to capitalize on financial market opportunities, maintaining a competitive edge through automation and a collaborative team of technologists and traders. With a workforce exceeding 300 and led by CEO Erik Swanson since 2014, Simplex operates with a low-ego, high-intelligence culture, focusing on minimal bureaucracy and rapid execution, while also making strategic venture capital investments in fintech startups. Recognized as a top workplace in Chicago by Built In’s 2025 awards, Simplex continues to evolve, blending cutting-edge technology with a commitment to market efficiency and growth.
Top Buys
| Rank | Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Tesla
TSLA
|
+$33.5M |
| 2 |
Netflix
NFLX
|
+$22.8M |
| 3 |
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust
DIA
|
+$20.9M |
| 4 |
TWX
Time Warner Inc
TWX
|
+$18.3M |
| 5 |
Alibaba
BABA
|
+$15.2M |
Top Sells
| Rank | Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amazon
AMZN
|
+$71.1M |
| 2 |
Micron Technology
MU
|
+$43.8M |
| 3 |
Alphabet (Google) Class C
GOOG
|
+$26.3M |
| 4 |
Booking.com
BKNG
|
+$22.2M |
| 5 |
Boeing
BA
|
+$21.6M |
Sector Composition
| Rank | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consumer Discretionary | 7.87% |
| 2 | Communication Services | 7.14% |
| 3 | Technology | 6.23% |
| 4 | Financials | 5.5% |
| 5 | Healthcare | 5.2% |
| Name | Market Value | Portfolio Weight | Shares or Principal |
Change in Stake | Capital Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
526
PUT
eBay
EBAY
$48.5B
| $726K | 0.03% |
3,732
+204
| +6% | +$8.44K |
|
527
PUT
Snap
SNAP
$7.42B
| $725K | 0.03% |
6,294
-2,354
| -27% | -$38.2K |
|
528
CALL
UnitedHealth
UNH
$385B
| $725K | 0.03% |
1,192
+727
| +156% | +$166K |
|
|
PPLC
529
CALL
DELISTED
PortfolioPlus S&P 500 ETF
PPLC
| $725K | 0.03% |
4,261
+178
| +4% | +$6.58K |
|
530
Pacira BioSciences
PCRX
$1.02B
| $723K | 0.03% |
23,213
+8,475
| +58% | +$302K |
|
|
WBA
531
PUT
DELISTED
Walgreens Boots Alliance
WBA
| $722K | 0.03% |
1,498
-1,082
| -42% | -$77.3K |
|
|
PTLA
532
CALL
DELISTED
Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
PTLA
| $719K | 0.03% |
21,731
+21,472
| +8,290% | +$942K |
|
533
CF Industries
CF
$19.5B
| $716K | 0.03% |
+18,995
| New | +$773K |
|
534
Pegasystems
PEGA
$4.28B
| $716K | 0.03% |
23,616
+20,164
| +584% | +$545K |
|
535
TSMC
TSM
$2.16T
| $716K | 0.03% |
+16,365
| New | +$713K |
|
536
CALL
Seagate
STX
$207B
| $713K | 0.03% |
1,394
+205
| +17% | +$10.9K |
|
537
United Parks & Resorts
PRKS
$2.08B
| $712K | 0.03% |
48,028
+38,000
| +379% | +$559K |
|
538
CALL
Herbalife
HLF
$1.22B
| $710K | 0.03% |
806
-670
| -45% | -$28.4K |
|
539
Lazard
LAZ
$4.24B
| $710K | 0.03% |
13,519
+13,377
| +9,420% | +$742K |
|
540
Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bear 3X ETF
TMV
$180M
| $706K | 0.03% |
+14,554
| New | +$736K |
|
|
NFX
541
DELISTED
Newfield Exploration
NFX
| $706K | 0.03% |
28,918
+19,488
| +207% | +$547K |
|
|
BBBY
542
PUT
Bed Bath & Beyond
BBBY
$471M
| $705K | 0.03% |
1,082
+173
| +19% | +$8.11K |
|
543
VanEck Gold Miners ETF
GDX
$22.9B
| $703K | 0.03% |
32,005
-65,971
| -67% | -$1.49M |
|
544
CALL
Ligand Pharmaceuticals
LGND
$6.06B
| $703K | 0.03% |
+6,779
| New | +$670K |
|
545
CALL
Blackrock
BLK
$161B
| $701K | 0.03% |
244
+80
| +49% | +$43.9K |
|
546
CALL
Estee Lauder
EL
$28.9B
| $700K | 0.03% |
425
-543
| -56% | -$75.2K |
|
|
VMW
547
PUT
DELISTED
VMware, Inc
VMW
| $700K | 0.03% |
1,008
-111
| -10% | -$14K |
|
548
CALL
Dave & Buster's
PLAY
$339M
| $699K | 0.03% |
16,609
+16,461
| +11,122% | +$759K |
|
549
CALL
TransDigm Group
TDG
$67.9B
| $697K | 0.03% |
184
+89
| +94% | +$26.2K |
|
550
CALL
Phillips 66
PSX
$83B
| $695K | 0.03% |
690
-685
| -50% | -$66.7K |
|
Similar funds
Simplex Trading's Q1 2018 Portfolio in Review
As of Q1 2018, Simplex Trading held 7,591 positions worth $2.27B, down 2.1% from $2.32B the previous quarter. Its ten largest holdings account for 18% of the portfolio.
Simplex Trading withdrew a net $210M in Q1 2018, closing 1,502 positions and reducing 2,267 holdings. Its most notable exit was Alphabet (Google) Class C, an estimated $26.3M position sold in full.
By sector, the portfolio is most concentrated in Consumer Discretionary at 7.9% of assets, down from 11% a quarter earlier, followed by Communication Services and Technology.
Against the trend, Simplex Trading opened a new position in Tesla worth $27.1M.
- Simplex Trading's largest Q1 2018 buy was Tesla: 1,525,035 shares worth $27.1M.
- Simplex Trading added most to Netflix in Q1 2018, an estimated $22.8M increase.
- Simplex Trading's biggest Q1 2018 reduction was Amazon, cutting an estimated $71.1M.
- Simplex Trading fully exited Alphabet (Google) Class C in Q1 2018, selling an estimated $26.3M.
- Simplex Trading's ten largest holdings make up 18% of its $2.27B portfolio in Q1 2018.
- Simplex Trading opened 1,643 new positions and closed 1,502 in Q1 2018.
- Simplex Trading's portfolio value fell 2.1% quarter-over-quarter to $2.27B.
Based on Simplex Trading's 13F filing for Q1 2018, filed 26 Apr 2018.