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 |
iShares Russell 2000 ETF
IWM
|
+$58.5M |
| 2 |
Alphabet (Google) Class C
GOOG
|
+$56.5M |
| 3 |
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
SPY
|
+$44.1M |
| 4 |
Apple
AAPL
|
+$20.3M |
| 5 |
State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF
XOP
|
+$12.7M |
Top Sells
| Rank | Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amazon
AMZN
|
+$109M |
| 2 |
Meta Platforms (Facebook)
META
|
+$62.3M |
| 3 |
Invesco QQQ Trust
QQQ
|
+$36.2M |
| 4 |
Goldman Sachs
GS
|
+$27.1M |
| 5 |
Boeing
BA
|
+$24.7M |
Sector Composition
| Rank | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication Services | 0.49% |
| 2 | Consumer Discretionary | 0.48% |
| 3 | Technology | 0.4% |
| 4 | Financials | 0.25% |
| 5 | Industrials | 0.22% |
| Name | Market Value | Portfolio Weight | Shares or Principal |
Change in Stake | Capital Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
76
CALL
iShares MSCI Australia ETF
EWA
$1.35B
| $53M | 0.16% |
14,206
-18,028
| -56% | -$370K |
|
77
CALL
Walmart Inc
WMT
$871B
| $52.9M | 0.16% |
17,049
-927
| -5% | -$29.7K |
|
78
CALL
AT&T
T
$159B
| $52.4M | 0.15% |
24,327
+15,896
| +189% | +$370K |
|
79
PUT
Visa
V
$676B
| $50.4M | 0.15% |
3,823
-276
| -7% | -$38.1K |
|
80
PUT
Home Depot
HD
$332B
| $50.1M | 0.15% |
2,918
-996
| -25% | -$179K |
|
81
PUT
JPMorgan Chase
JPM
$919B
| $49.6M | 0.15% |
5,103
-1,896
| -27% | -$202K |
|
82
PUT
IBM
IBM
$198B
| $48.5M | 0.14% |
4,466
+687
| +18% | +$82.5K |
|
|
83
CALL
Home Depot
HD
$332B
| $48.2M | 0.14% |
2,806
-278
| -9% | -$49.9K |
|
84
CALL
Johnson & Johnson
JNJ
$611B
| $46.5M | 0.14% |
3,604
+1,513
| +72% | +$211K |
|
85
PUT
Chipotle Mexican Grill
CMG
$42.2B
| $46.4M | 0.14% |
53,700
-9,250
| -15% | -$83.6K |
|
86
CALL
ExxonMobil
XOM
$638B
| $46.3M | 0.14% |
6,788
-3,097
| -31% | -$243K |
|
87
CALL
UnitedHealth
UNH
$394B
| $44.8M | 0.13% |
1,798
-16
| -0.9% | -$4.23K |
|
88
PUT
Caterpillar
CAT
$412B
| $44.5M | 0.13% |
3,502
-1,370
| -28% | -$178K |
|
|
89
PUT
Johnson & Johnson
JNJ
$611B
| $43.6M | 0.13% |
3,381
+1,243
| +58% | +$173K |
|
90
PUT
Citigroup
C
$222B
| $43.5M | 0.13% |
8,362
+1,810
| +28% | +$115K |
|
91
PUT
Amgen
AMGN
$199B
| $43.1M | 0.13% |
2,213
+531
| +32% | +$104K |
|
|
92
CALL
Caterpillar
CAT
$412B
| $42.7M | 0.13% |
3,363
+703
| +26% | +$91.5K |
|
93
PUT
Oracle
ORCL
$368B
| $42.3M | 0.12% |
9,374
+5,771
| +160% | +$277K |
|
94
PUT
Altria Group
MO
$122B
| $41.9M | 0.12% |
8,484
-358
| -4% | -$20.7K |
|
|
XYZ
95
PUT
Block Inc
XYZ
$46.5B
| $41.3M | 0.12% |
7,356
-1,822
| -20% | -$129K |
|
|
96
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
SPY
$787B
| $40.9M | 0.12% |
+163,699
| New | +$44.1M |
|
|
XYZ
97
CALL
Block Inc
XYZ
$46.5B
| $40.1M | 0.12% |
7,152
+4,608
| +181% | +$325K |
|
98
PUT
Baidu
BIDU
$36.7B
| $39.8M | 0.12% |
2,512
-1,613
| -39% | -$301K |
|
99
CALL
Advanced Micro Devices
AMD
$897B
| $39.7M | 0.12% |
21,498
+1,166
| +6% | +$25.2K |
|
100
CALL
Costco
COST
$411B
| $39.6M | 0.12% |
1,944
+775
| +66% | +$173K |
|
Similar funds
Simplex Trading's Q4 2018 Portfolio in Review
As of Q4 2018, Simplex Trading held 8,576 positions worth $34.1B, up 9.5% from $31.1B the previous quarter. Its ten largest holdings account for 43% of the portfolio.
Simplex Trading's Q4 2018 filing shows 1,199 new, 2,701 increased, 2,877 reduced and 1,573 closed positions. Its largest new stake was State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust: 163,699 shares worth $40.9M. The largest sale was Amazon, an estimated $109M.
By sector, the portfolio is most concentrated in Communication Services at 0.49% of assets, down from 0.89% a quarter earlier, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Technology.
- Simplex Trading's largest Q4 2018 buy was State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust: 163,699 shares worth $40.9M.
- Simplex Trading added most to iShares Russell 2000 ETF in Q4 2018, an estimated $58.5M increase.
- Simplex Trading's biggest Q4 2018 reduction was Amazon, cutting an estimated $109M.
- Simplex Trading fully exited Meta Platforms (Facebook) in Q4 2018, selling an estimated $62.3M.
- Simplex Trading's ten largest holdings make up 43% of its $34.1B portfolio in Q4 2018.
- Simplex Trading opened 1,199 new positions and closed 1,573 in Q4 2018.
- Simplex Trading's portfolio value rose 9.5% quarter-over-quarter to $34.1B.
Based on Simplex Trading's 13F filing for Q4 2018, filed 16 Jan 2019.