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 |
Apple
AAPL
|
+$34.5M |
| 2 |
Micron Technology
MU
|
+$33.9M |
| 3 |
Berkshire Hathaway Class B
BRK.B
|
+$30.8M |
| 4 |
NVIDIA
NVDA
|
+$23.5M |
| 5 |
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust
DIA
|
+$22.2M |
Top Sells
| Rank | Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
TWX
Time Warner Inc
TWX
|
+$34.8M |
| 2 |
Amazon
AMZN
|
+$31.2M |
| 3 |
Tesla
TSLA
|
+$17.6M |
| 4 |
Netflix
NFLX
|
+$15.5M |
| 5 |
Advanced Micro Devices
AMD
|
+$12.9M |
Sector Composition
| Rank | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miscellaneous | 94.49% |
| 2 | Technology | 1.26% |
| 3 | Consumer Discretionary | 0.93% |
| 4 | Communication Services | 0.75% |
| 5 | Financials | 0.62% |
| Name | Market Value | Portfolio Weight | Shares or Principal |
Change in Stake | Capital Flow | Held Since | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
PUT
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
SPY
$812B
| $1.37B | 5.39% |
50,637
-28,370
| -36% | -$7.66M |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
2
PUT
Amazon
AMZN
$2.69T
| $1.31B | 5.14% |
154,240
+21,600
| +16% | +$1.71M |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
3
CALL
Amazon
AMZN
$2.69T
| $831M | 3.26% |
97,780
+15,340
| +19% | +$1.22M |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
4
PUT
iShares S&P 100 ETF
OEF
$20.3B
| $820M | 3.22% |
84,021
-14,564
| -15% | -$1.74M |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
5
CALL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
SPY
$812B
| $783M | 3.07% |
28,869
-11,141
| -28% | -$3.01M |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
6
CALL
Alphabet (Google) Class A
GOOGL
$3.95T
| $573M | 2.24% |
101,980
-5,100
| -5% | -$277K |
2015 Q4
10 quarters
|
|
7
PUT
Invesco QQQ Trust
QQQ
$475B
| $491M | 1.92% |
28,596
-15,194
| -35% | -$2.55M |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
8
CALL
iShares S&P 100 ETF
OEF
$20.3B
| $467M | 1.83% |
44,184
-67,175
| -60% | -$8M |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
9
PUT
Alphabet (Google) Class A
GOOGL
$3.95T
| $395M | 1.55% |
70,300
-27,720
| -28% | -$1.51M |
2015 Q4
10 quarters
|
|
|
10
PUT
Tesla
TSLA
$1.48T
| $370M | 1.45% |
161,835
+14,535
| +10% | +$295K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
11
PUT
Netflix
NFLX
$279B
| $309M | 1.21% |
78,850
-17,610
| -18% | -$600K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
12
CALL
Meta Platforms (Facebook)
META
$1.64T
| $297M | 1.17% |
15,294
-731
| -5% | -$132K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
13
PUT
Alibaba
BABA
$253B
| $294M | 1.15% |
15,867
+3,170
| +25% | +$604K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
14
CALL
Invesco QQQ Trust
QQQ
$475B
| $292M | 1.15% |
17,036
-1,106
| -6% | -$185K |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
15
CALL
Alibaba
BABA
$253B
| $277M | 1.09% |
14,936
+3,741
| +33% | +$713K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
16
PUT
Apple
AAPL
$5.05T
| $270M | 1.06% |
58,356
+10,148
| +21% | +$460K |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
17
CALL
Apple
AAPL
$5.05T
| $266M | 1.04% |
57,424
-11,628
| -17% | -$527K |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
18
CALL
Netflix
NFLX
$279B
| $235M | 0.92% |
59,970
-23,720
| -28% | -$809K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
19
CALL
Tesla
TSLA
$1.48T
| $215M | 0.84% |
93,945
+14,805
| +19% | +$301K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
20
CALL
Boeing
BA
$148B
| $201M | 0.79% |
5,998
-575
| -9% | -$198K |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
21
PUT
Booking.com
BKNG
$121B
| $196M | 0.77% |
24,225
-3,975
| -14% | -$335K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
22
PUT
State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF
XLB
$8.14B
| $185M | 0.73% |
58,018
-26,596
| -31% | -$779K |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
23
PUT
Boeing
BA
$148B
| $182M | 0.71% |
5,415
-2,576
| -32% | -$886K |
2015 Q1
13 quarters
|
|
|
24
PUT
NVIDIA
NVDA
$5.12T
| $179M | 0.7% |
302,920
-37,760
| -11% | -$229K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
|
25
PUT
Meta Platforms (Facebook)
META
$1.64T
| $165M | 0.65% |
8,513
-4,096
| -32% | -$740K |
2014 Q4
14 quarters
|
|
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Simplex Trading's Q2 2018 Portfolio in Review
As of Q2 2018, Simplex Trading held 8,400 positions worth $25.5B, up 1,022% from $2.27B the previous quarter. Its ten largest holdings account for 29% of the portfolio.
Simplex Trading's Q2 2018 filing shows 2,282 new, 2,314 increased, 2,591 reduced and 1,035 closed positions. Its largest new stake was Alphabet (Google) Class C: 291,860 shares worth $16.3M. The largest sale was Time Warner Inc, an estimated $34.8M.
By sector, the portfolio is most concentrated in Miscellaneous at 94% of assets, up from 56% a quarter earlier, followed by Technology and Consumer Discretionary.
- Simplex Trading's largest Q2 2018 buy was Alphabet (Google) Class C: 291,860 shares worth $16.3M.
- Simplex Trading added most to Apple in Q2 2018, an estimated $34.5M increase.
- Simplex Trading's biggest Q2 2018 reduction was Amazon, cutting an estimated $31.2M.
- Simplex Trading fully exited Time Warner Inc in Q2 2018, selling an estimated $34.8M.
- Simplex Trading's ten largest holdings make up 29% of its $25.5B portfolio in Q2 2018.
- Simplex Trading opened 2,282 new positions and closed 1,035 in Q2 2018.
- Simplex Trading's portfolio value rose 1,022% quarter-over-quarter to $25.5B.
Based on Simplex Trading's 13F filing for Q2 2018, filed 30 Jul 2018.