Regional bankValley National Bancorp (VLY) is up 8% over the past year, far lagging the overall stock market. One trader sees shares trending higher over the coming weeks. That’s based on the October 18 $10 calls. With 25 days until expiration, 18,507 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 263, for a 70-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.15 to make the bullish bet. Valley National recently traded for about $9.35, so shares would need to rise by $0.65, or about 7%, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares are well off their 52-week hi...

Uranium producerUranium Energy Corp (UEC), is down 2% over the past year, with shares down over one-third from their February peak. One trader sees the stock recovering to bounce higher into next year. That’s based on the February 2025 $8 calls. With 154 days until expiration, 3,635 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 127, for a 29-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.21 to make the bullish bet. UEC shares recently traded for about $5.00, so shares would need to rally by $3.00, or about 60%, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares hit...

Outsourcing and IT services giantGenpact Limited (G) is up 6% over the past year, far lagging the overall stock market. One trader sees shares trending lower into the end of the year. That’s based on the December 20 $30 puts. With 92 days until expiration, 4,000 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 130, for a 31-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.20 to make the bearish bet. Genpact shares recently traded for about $38.50, so the stock would need to drop by $8.50, or about 22%, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike price is also ...

Telecom and communications giantComcast (CMCSA) is down 13% over the past year. One trader expects further downside in the months ahead. That’s based on the April 2025 $30 puts. With 211 days until expiration, 6,315 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 117, for a 54-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.55 to make the bearish bet. Comcast shares recently traded for about $39, so the stock would need to decline by at least $4, or 11%, for the option to move in-the-money. It would also mean the stock breaks well below its 52-week high of $36.4...

Department store chain Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) is down 15% over the past year, and trades near six-month lows. One trader expects a pop higher for shares in the coming days. That’s based on the September 27 $20.50 calls. With 10 days until expiration, 15,148 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 134, for a 113-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.37 to make the bullish bet. Kohl’s shares traded for about $19.50, so the stock would need to rise by about $1.00, or 5.1%, for the option to move in-the-money. That’s a steep move in a short peri...

Retail giant Walmart (WMT) is up 43% over the past year, almost doubling the overall performance of the S&P 500. One trader sees further upside for shares in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the October 4 $81 calls. With 18 days until expiration, 23,254 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 105, for a massive 221-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.76 to make the bullish bet. Walmart shares recently traded for just under $80, so the stock would need to rise by $1, or about 1.5%, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares have a 52-wee...

Staffing and employment service provider ZipRecruiter (ZIP) is down 40% over the past year as jobless claims continue to rise and total open jobs decline. One trader sees shares popping higher into next year. That’s based on the January 2025 $12.50 calls. With 126 days until expiration, 35,895 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 186, for a massive 193-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.20 to make the bullish bet. ZipRecruiter last traded for just under $9, so shares would need to rise by just over $3.50, or 38% for the option to move in...

American Airlines Group (AAL) is down 20% over the past year, as earnings have fizzled as the post-pandemic rebound in travel has petered out. One trader sees shares declining further over the coming weeks. That’s based on the October 11 $10.50 puts. With 29 days until expiration, 26,722 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 372, for a 72-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.38 to make the bearish bet. American Airlines shares recently traded for about $11. The stock would need to drop by $0.50, or about 4.5%, for the option to move in-the-money...

Telecom provider AT&T (T) is up 44% over the past year, more than doubling the return of the S&P 500. One trader sees further upside ahead for shares in the coming weeks. That’s based on the October 25 $21.50 calls. With 44 days until expiration, 4,936 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 115, for a 43-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.63 to make the bullish bet. AT&T shares recently traded for about $21.40, making this an at-the-money trade. Shares just hit a new 52-week high this week, adding to gains over the prior months...

Networking technology company EchoStar Corporation (SATS) is up 24% over the past year, about in-line with the overall stock market. One trader sees shares rallying over the coming weeks. That’s based on the October 18 $25 calls. With 38 days until expiration, 7,161 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 107, for a 67-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.28 to make the bullish bet. EchoStar shares recently traded for about $22.50, so the stock would need to rise by about $2.50, or about 11%, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares would ...