Steel producerUnited States Steel (X) is up 9% over the past year, and has seen some wild swings as a proposed merger was nixed by regulators. One trader is betting shares will trend higher into the middle of next year. That’s based on the May 16 2025 $50 calls. With 168 days until expiration, 6,000 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 271, for a 22-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $2.50 to make the bullish bet. U.S. Steel shares recently traded for about $39, so they would need to rise by $11, or 28%, for the option to move in-the-money....

Healthcare facility REITMedical Properties Trust (MPW) is down 10% over the past year, amid a slowdown in revenue and earnings. One trader sees shares trending lower into the spring of 2025. That’s based on the March 21, 2025 $3.50 puts. With 113 days until expiration, 30,401 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 422, for a 72-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.38 to make the bearish bet. Medical Properties shares recently traded for about $4.50, so the shares would need to drop by $1, or about 22%, for the option to move in-the-money. Sha...

Airline operatorAmerican Airlines Group (AAL) is up 18% over the past year, underperforming the overall stock market. One trader sees shares trending higher into the end of the year. That’s based on the December 27, 2024 $15 calls. With 30 days until expiration, 35,612 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 288, for a 124-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.47 to make the bullish bet. American Airlines shares recently traded for just under $14.50, meaning shares would need to rise by about $0.50, or just over 3.5%, for the option to move in...

Mortgage REITAGNC Investment Corp (AGNC) is up 11% over the past year, before including its hefty dividend of 15%. One trader is betting that shares will settle down over the next few months and trend lower. That’s based on the February 2025 $9 puts. With 87 days until expiration, 5,048 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 102, for a 50-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.23 to make the bearish bet. AGNC shares recently traded for about $9.75, so the stock would need to decline by 7.7% for the option to move in-the-money. That would also p...

Financial services platform SoFi Technologies (SOFI) has been on a tear, with shares up 114% over the past year. One trader sees further gains into the summer of 2025. That’s based on the July 2025 $21 calls. With 235 days until expiration, 6,764 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 102, for a 66-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.85 to make the bullish bet. SoFi shares recently traded for about $15.50, so the stock would need to rise by $5.50, or 35%, for the option to move in-the-money. The soaring share price comes as SoFi has star...

Utility operator The AES Corporation (AES) is down 20% over the past year, with a significant drop just over the past two months. One trader sees shares continuing to decline in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the December 20 $12 puts. With 28 days until expiration, 14,611 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 154, for a 95-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.20 to make the bearish bet. AES shares recently traded for about $13.30, meaning shares would need to decline by about $1.30, or nearly 10%, for the option to move in-the-money. Share...

Gold exploration and production giant Barrick Gold Corp (GOLD) is up 6% over the past year, underperforming both the stock market and a massive rally in gold itself. One trader sees shares trending higher over the next two years. That’s based on the January 15 2027 $35 calls. With 785 days until expiration, 20,024 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a massive 193-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.64 to make the bullish bet. Barrick shares recently traded for just under $18, so they would need to rise by $17, or rally 94%, for ...

Athletic apparel manufacturer Nike (NKE) is down 30% over the past year. One trader sees the stock trending lower over the weeks ahead. That’s based on the December 27 $65 puts. With 37 days until expiration, 4,333 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 128, for a 34-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.53 to make the bearish bet. Nike shares recently traded for just under $75, so shares would need to decline by $10, or about 14%, for the option to move in-the-money. Nike has a 52-week low at $70.75. Operationally, Nike has had a poor year...

Semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed (WOLF) is down over 80% in the past year, amid restructuring and job cuts. One trader sees further downside in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the December 20 $5 puts. With 31 days until expiration, 9,200 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 221, for a 42-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.28 to make the bearish bet. Wolfspeed recently traded for about $6.80, meaning shares would need to decline by $1.80, or about 27%, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares are at a 52-week low, having declined o...

Household goods manufacturer Newell Brands (NWL) is up 22% over the past year, lagging the stock market. But shares are starting to trend higher in recent sessions. One trader is eyeing further profits in the months ahead. That’s based on the March 21, 2025 $11 calls. With 123 days until expiration, 10,070 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 164, for a 61-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.30 to make the bullish bet. Newell shares recently traded for about $9.00, so they would need to rise by $2, or about 22.2%, for the option to move i...