Telecom giantVerizon Communications (VZ) is at its 52-week high following strong earnings last week. One trader sees the potential for a further rally in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the March $46 calls. With 45 days until expiration, 24,648 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 380, for a 65-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.15 to make the bullish bet. Verizon shares recently traded for just over $42, so they would need to rise just under $4, or about 9 percent, for the trade to move in-the-money. That’s aggressive for a telecom ...

Consumer lenderAlly Financial (ALLY) is up 12 percent over the past year, lagging the overall market’s returns. One trader sees shares rising in the coming weeks. That’s based on the March $39 calls. With 48 days until expiration, 4,261 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a 41-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.65 to make the bullish bet. Ally shares recently traded for about $36.50, so the option would need to rise about $2.50, or about 7 percent for the option to move in-the-money. Shares have been trending higher right no...

Shipping giantNordic American Tankers (NAT) is up 45 percent over the past year, more than double the return of the S&P 500. One trader is betting shares will continue higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the March 15 $4.50 calls. With 49 days until expiration, 4,965 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 155, for a 32-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.27 to make the bullish bet. Nordic shares recently traded for about $4.25. They would need to rise $0.25, or about 6 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike p...

Beverage chain giantStarbucks (SBUX) has been a market laggard with an 11 percent decline over the past year. However, shares have been prone to popping during earnings season. One trader is betting that will happen when the company reports next week. That’s based on the February 2 $99 calls. With 9 days until expiration, 19,216 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 235, for an 82-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the calls paid $0.95. Starbucks shares recently traded at about $93, so shares would need to rise by $6, or 3.2 percent. Such a move is possible, as the com...

Offshore drilling service providerTransocean (RIG) is down 10 percent over the past year, amid a decline in energy prices. One trader sees a rebound in the months ahead. That’s based on the August $6 calls. With 205 days until expiration, 11,794 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 205, for a 58-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.64 to make the bullish bet. Transocean recently traded for about $5.30, so shares would need to rise about $0.70, or just over 13 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike price is still well u...

Drug manufacturerPfizer (PFE) has been in a steady downtrend for the past year. One trader is betting that downtrend will continue in the coming weeks. That’s based on the February 23 $26 puts. With 31 days until expiration, 14,207 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 154, for a 92-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.28 to make the bearish bet. Pfizer shares recently traded for about $28, so they would need to drop $2, or about 7 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. That would also place shares near their 52-week low of $25.76. ...

Mineral minerRio Tinto Group (RIO) has lagged the market, losing 10 percent over the past year and sliding in recent weeks. However, one trader sees the potential for a rebound in the coming months. That’s based on the June $65 calls. With 153 days until expiration, 8,337 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 122, for a 68-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $5.70 to make the bullish bet. Rio Tinto shares recently traded for just over $68, meaning the options are already about $3.00 in-the-money. The strike price is well off the stock’s 52-we...

Uranium producerDenison Mines (DNN) handily beat the market over the past year, gaining 52 percent. One trader sees shares trending higher in the months ahead. That’s based on the July $2.50 calls. With 182 days until expiration, 28,597 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 242, for a massive 118-fold rise in volume on the option trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.25 to make the bullish bet. Denison shares recently traded for about $2, so the stock would need to rise $0.50, or 25 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares would also need to break to a ...

Wall Street megabankBank of America (BAC) recently reported earnings. The market didn’t care too much for them, and one trader is now betting that shares will trend lower in the coming weeks. That’s based on the February 9 $31 puts. With 22 days until expiration, 11,249 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 178, for a 63-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.18 to make the bearish bet. Bank of America recently traded for just under $33, so shares would need to drop about $2, or about 6 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike ...

Freight and logistics companyUnited Parcel Service (UPS) is down 12 percent over the last year as consumer spending on goods has slowed. One trader sees shares trending higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the February 9 $170 calls. With 23 days until expiration, 4,416 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 231, for a 19-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.85 to make the bullish bet. UPS shares recently traded for about $160, so the stock would need to rise about $10, or about 6.2 percent for the option to move in-the-money. The s...