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 |
Amazon
AMZN
|
+$148M |
| 2 |
Invesco QQQ Trust
QQQ
|
+$67.3M |
| 3 |
Meta Platforms (Facebook)
META
|
+$63.2M |
| 4 |
Goldman Sachs
GS
|
+$23.9M |
| 5 |
Citigroup
C
|
+$23.1M |
Top Sells
| Rank | Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Berkshire Hathaway Class B
BRK.B
|
+$47.5M |
| 2 |
Apple
AAPL
|
+$46M |
| 3 |
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust
DIA
|
+$44.5M |
| 4 |
Micron Technology
MU
|
+$29.1M |
| 5 |
Adobe
ADBE
|
+$22.2M |
Sector Composition
| Rank | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miscellaneous | 95.2% |
| 2 | Consumer Discretionary | 1.14% |
| 3 | Communication Services | 0.9% |
| 4 | Technology | 0.69% |
| 5 | Industrials | 0.52% |
| Name | Market Value | Portfolio Weight | Shares or Principal |
Change in Stake | Capital Flow | Held Since | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
PUT
Amazon
AMZN
$2.7T
| $2.17B | 6.97% |
216,700
+62,460
| +40% | +$5.87M |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
2
PUT
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
SPY
$814B
| $1.9B | 6.1% |
65,312
+14,675
| +29% | +$4.18M |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
|
3
CALL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
SPY
$814B
| $1.84B | 5.9% |
63,225
+34,356
| +119% | +$9.8M |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
|
4
CALL
Amazon
AMZN
$2.7T
| $1.16B | 3.73% |
115,900
+18,120
| +19% | +$1.7M |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
5
PUT
iShares S&P 100 ETF
OEF
$20.3B
| $726M | 2.33% |
81,739
-2,282
| -3% | -$289K |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
|
6
PUT
Invesco QQQ Trust
QQQ
$475B
| $690M | 2.22% |
37,129
+8,533
| +30% | +$1.54M |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
7
CALL
Tesla
TSLA
$1.5T
| $515M | 1.65% |
291,660
+197,715
| +210% | +$4.12M |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
8
PUT
Alphabet (Google) Class A
GOOGL
$3.95T
| $494M | 1.59% |
82,320
+12,020
| +17% | +$728K |
2015 Q4
11 quarters
|
|
|
9
CALL
Alphabet (Google) Class A
GOOGL
$3.95T
| $490M | 1.57% |
81,640
-20,340
| -20% | -$1.23M |
2015 Q4
11 quarters
|
|
|
10
PUT
Tesla
TSLA
$1.5T
| $481M | 1.54% |
272,310
+110,475
| +68% | +$2.3M |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
|
11
CALL
iShares S&P 100 ETF
OEF
$20.3B
| $477M | 1.53% |
56,399
+12,215
| +28% | +$1.55M |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
|
12
CALL
Meta Platforms (Facebook)
META
$1.64T
| $374M | 1.2% |
22,748
+7,454
| +49% | +$1.35M |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
|
13
CALL
Apple
AAPL
$5.07T
| $358M | 1.15% |
63,504
+6,080
| +11% | +$317K |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
|
14
CALL
Invesco QQQ Trust
QQQ
$475B
| $349M | 1.12% |
18,811
+1,775
| +10% | +$321K |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
|
15
PUT
Meta Platforms (Facebook)
META
$1.64T
| $344M | 1.1% |
20,892
+12,379
| +145% | +$2.24M |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
16
PUT
Netflix
NFLX
$278B
| $343M | 1.1% |
91,550
+12,700
| +16% | +$461K |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
17
CALL
Alibaba
BABA
$253B
| $323M | 1.04% |
19,629
+4,693
| +31% | +$830K |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
|
18
PUT
Apple
AAPL
$5.07T
| $310M | 0.99% |
54,864
-3,492
| -6% | -$182K |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
|
19
CALL
Netflix
NFLX
$278B
| $249M | 0.8% |
66,510
+6,540
| +11% | +$237K |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
20
PUT
NVIDIA
NVDA
$5.13T
| $217M | 0.7% |
308,400
+5,480
| +2% | +$35.6K |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
|
21
Amazon
AMZN
$2.7T
| $211M | 0.68% |
2,107,380
+1,577,940
| +298% | +$148M |
2016 Q3
8 quarters
|
|
|
22
PUT
Alibaba
BABA
$253B
| $206M | 0.66% |
12,511
-3,356
| -21% | -$594K |
2014 Q4
15 quarters
|
|
23
PUT
State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF
XLB
$8.17B
| $199M | 0.64% |
61,248
+3,230
| +6% | +$95.3K |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
24
PUT
Boeing
BA
$148B
| $196M | 0.63% |
5,260
-155
| -3% | -$54.5K |
2015 Q1
14 quarters
|
|
|
25
CALL
NVIDIA
NVDA
$5.13T
| $192M | 0.62% |
273,480
+35,400
| +15% | +$230K |
2015 Q3
12 quarters
|
|
Similar funds
Simplex Trading's Q3 2018 Portfolio in Review
As of Q3 2018, Simplex Trading held 8,699 positions worth $31.1B, up 22% from $25.5B the previous quarter. Its ten largest holdings account for 34% of the portfolio.
Simplex Trading's Q3 2018 filing shows 1,336 new, 3,064 increased, 2,753 reduced and 1,317 closed positions. Its largest new stake was Invesco QQQ Trust: 371,806 shares worth $69.1M. The largest sale was Berkshire Hathaway Class B, an estimated $47.5M.
By sector, the portfolio is most concentrated in Miscellaneous at 95% of assets, up from 94% a quarter earlier, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Communication Services.
- Simplex Trading's largest Q3 2018 buy was Invesco QQQ Trust: 371,806 shares worth $69.1M.
- Simplex Trading added most to Amazon in Q3 2018, an estimated $148M increase.
- Simplex Trading's biggest Q3 2018 reduction was Apple, cutting an estimated $46M.
- Simplex Trading fully exited Berkshire Hathaway Class B in Q3 2018, selling an estimated $47.5M.
- Simplex Trading's ten largest holdings make up 34% of its $31.1B portfolio in Q3 2018.
- Simplex Trading opened 1,336 new positions and closed 1,317 in Q3 2018.
- Simplex Trading's portfolio value rose 22% quarter-over-quarter to $31.1B.
Based on Simplex Trading's 13F filing for Q3 2018, filed 23 Oct 2018.