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 |
LNKD
LinkedIn Corporation
LNKD
|
+$21.4M |
| 2 |
SPDR Gold Trust
GLD
|
+$17.3M |
| 3 |
QIHU
QIHOO 360 TECHNOLOGY CO LTD ADS RPSTG 3 CL A SHS
QIHU
|
+$15M |
| 4 |
Biogen
BIIB
|
+$14.9M |
| 5 |
Visa
V
|
+$14.1M |
Top Sells
| Rank | Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Broadcom
AVGO
|
+$36.7M |
| 2 |
Alphabet (Google) Class C
GOOG
|
+$20.1M |
| 3 |
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
EEM
|
+$15.8M |
| 4 |
Citigroup
C
|
+$14.7M |
| 5 |
State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust
MDY
|
+$13.1M |
Sector Composition
| Rank | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miscellaneous | 57.59% |
| 2 | Healthcare | 6.94% |
| 3 | Technology | 6.79% |
| 4 | Communication Services | 6.76% |
| 5 | Consumer Discretionary | 4.8% |
| Name | Market Value | Portfolio Weight | Shares or Principal |
Change in Stake | Capital Flow | Held Since | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
76
CALL
Barrick Mining
B
$62.8B
| $3.02M | 0.2% |
5,076
+1,536
| +43% | +$27.4K |
2015 Q1
5 quarters
|
|
77
PUT
Bank of America
BAC
$354B
| $3.01M | 0.2% |
9,229
+1,814
| +24% | +$25.5K |
2015 Q1
5 quarters
|
|
78
State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF
XOP
$4.44B
| $3M | 0.2% |
+21,561
| New | +$2.96M |
2016 Q2
0 quarters
|
|
79
iShares Russell 2000 ETF
IWM
$79.1B
| $2.98M | 0.2% |
25,894
+15,520
| +150% | +$1.75M |
2016 Q1
1 quarter
|
|
80
State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF
XLI
$29.8B
| $2.9M | 0.19% |
+51,821
| New | +$2.89M |
2016 Q2
0 quarters
|
|
81
iShares China Large-Cap ETF
FXI
$3.72B
| $2.89M | 0.19% |
+84,543
| New | +$2.81M |
2016 Q2
0 quarters
|
|
82
ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
UVXY
$289M
| – | – |
0
| – | – |
2015 Q2
4 quarters
|
|
83
State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF
XLB
$8.12B
| $2.84M | 0.19% |
+122,410
| New | +$2.85M |
2016 Q2
0 quarters
|
|
|
UCD
84
CALL
DELISTED
PROSHARES ULTRA BLOOMBERG COMMODITY
UCD
| $2.82M | 0.19% |
24,178
+10,863
| +82% | +$357K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
85
PUT
Walt Disney
DIS
$194B
| $2.8M | 0.19% |
7,675
+2,297
| +43% | +$230K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
86
PUT
Gilead Sciences
GILD
$193B
| $2.78M | 0.19% |
3,450
-339
| -9% | -$30.1K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
|
ENDP
87
DELISTED
Endo International plc
ENDP
| $2.76M | 0.18% |
177,317
+132,551
| +296% | +$2.75M |
2016 Q1
1 quarter
|
|
88
CALL
Alibaba
BABA
$248B
| $2.73M | 0.18% |
9,029
+584
| +7% | +$45.7K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
89
CALL
Chevron
CVX
$457B
| $2.73M | 0.18% |
3,258
-341
| -9% | -$34.3K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
90
Ulta Beauty
ULTA
$26.7B
| $2.72M | 0.18% |
11,187
+4,077
| +57% | +$888K |
2015 Q2
4 quarters
|
|
91
AB InBev
BUD
$166B
| $2.66M | 0.18% |
20,232
-4,770
| -19% | -$601K |
2015 Q3
3 quarters
|
|
92
United Airlines
UAL
$31.8B
| $2.63M | 0.18% |
64,113
+32,106
| +100% | +$1.52M |
2015 Q4
2 quarters
|
|
|
SCTY
93
PUT
DELISTED
SolarCity Corporation
SCTY
| $2.62M | 0.18% |
6,001
+1,807
| +43% | +$44.5K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
|
CVT
94
DELISTED
CVENT, INC.
CVT
| $2.61M | 0.17% |
73,166
+59,307
| +428% | +$1.97M |
2016 Q1
1 quarter
|
|
95
Aflac
AFL
$60.4B
| $2.61M | 0.17% |
72,332
+47,882
| +196% | +$1.63M |
2016 Q1
1 quarter
|
|
|
VMW
96
DELISTED
VMware, Inc
VMW
| $2.58M | 0.17% |
45,052
+35,821
| +388% | +$2.06M |
2016 Q1
1 quarter
|
|
97
Home Depot
HD
$319B
| $2.56M | 0.17% |
+20,066
| New | +$2.65M |
2016 Q2
0 quarters
|
|
98
PUT
Baidu
BIDU
$26.3B
| $2.56M | 0.17% |
3,773
+980
| +35% | +$172K |
2015 Q1
5 quarters
|
|
|
99
PUT
Biogen
BIIB
$37B
| $2.54M | 0.17% |
2,330
+1,373
| +143% | +$362K |
2014 Q4
6 quarters
|
|
100
Union Pacific
UNP
$174B
| $2.52M | 0.17% |
+28,914
| New | +$2.44M |
2016 Q2
0 quarters
|
|
Similar funds
Simplex Trading's Q2 2016 Portfolio in Review
As of Q2 2016, Simplex Trading held 7,153 positions worth $1.5B, up 19% from $1.25B the previous quarter. Its ten largest holdings account for 19% of the portfolio.
Simplex Trading deployed $147M of net new capital in Q2 2016, opening 1,585 new positions and adding to 2,321 existing holdings. Its largest new stake was Biogen: 56,467 shares worth $13.7M.
By sector, the portfolio is most concentrated in Miscellaneous at 58% of assets, down from 60% a quarter earlier, followed by Healthcare and Technology.
On the sell side, the largest reduction was Broadcom, an estimated $36.7M trimmed.
- Simplex Trading's largest Q2 2016 buy was Biogen: 56,467 shares worth $13.7M.
- Simplex Trading added most to LinkedIn Corporation in Q2 2016, an estimated $21.4M increase.
- Simplex Trading's biggest Q2 2016 reduction was Broadcom, cutting an estimated $36.7M.
- Simplex Trading fully exited Alphabet (Google) Class C in Q2 2016, selling an estimated $20.1M.
- Simplex Trading's ten largest holdings make up 19% of its $1.5B portfolio in Q2 2016.
- Simplex Trading opened 1,585 new positions and closed 1,363 in Q2 2016.
- Simplex Trading's portfolio value rose 19% quarter-over-quarter to $1.5B.
Based on Simplex Trading's 13F filing for Q2 2016, filed 18 Jul 2016.