Hotel owner and operatorHilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT) rose 44 percent in 2023, amid a strong demand for travel and tourism. One trader sees shares continuing to trend higher in the first quarter of 2024. That’s based on the April $175 calls. With 109 days until expiration, 16,003 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 270, for a 59-fold rise in volume on the options trade. The buyer of the calls paid $14.70 to make the bullish bet. Hilton recently traded for about $182, so the option already trades about $7.00 in-the-money. And with shares right near their 52-week hi...

Pharmaceutical developerIronwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) is down 7 percent over the past year, but shares have been trending higher in recent weeks. One trader sees the potential for a big surge in shares in the coming months. That’s based on the April 2024 $15 calls. With 112 days until expiration, 5,172 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 158, for a 33-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.85 to make the bullish bet. Ironwood recently traded for about $11.50, so shares would need to rise about $3.50, or about 30 percent in the next four m...

Bitcoin mining data center operatorCipher Mining (CIFR) has been on a tear this year, with shares up nearly 700 percent. One trader sees a pullback playing out in the months ahead. That’s based on the June 2024 $2.50 puts. With 176 days until expiration, 3,418 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a 33-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.55 to make the bearish bet. Cipher shares recently traded just over $5, so the stock would need to get cut in half for the $2.50 puts to trade in-the-money. Such a move is possible, given the volat...

Specialty insulation producerAspen Aerogels (ASPN) is up 27 percent over the past year, slightly beating out the overall stock market. One trader expects further outperformance in the coming half year. That’s based on the July 19th $22.50 calls. With 204 days until expiration, 7,013 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 180, for a 39-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.50 to make the bullish bet. Aspen shares recently traded for about $15.50, so shares would need to rise $7, or 45 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares are...

Processed food producerCampbell Soup Company (CPB) has had a rough year, with shares down 25 percent. One trader sees further weakness into the first month of 2024. That’s based on the January 19, 2024 $41 puts. With 24 days until expiration, 3,498 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a 34-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.40 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded near $43, so they would need to lose about $2, or just under 5 percent in a month, for the options to move in-the-money. The strike price is still well over t...

Asia-based ecommerce platformSea Limited (SE) has dropped 30 percent in the last year. One trader is betting on shares to start the year trending higher. That’s based on the January 19, 2024 $42.00 calls. With 25 days until expiration, 6,065 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 196, for a 31-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.20 to make the bullish bet. Sea Limited recently traded for about $38, so they would need to rise $4, or just under 10 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Operationally, it’s been a quiet year. Revenues...

Credit service providerSoFi Technologies (SOFI) has more than doubled in the past year, rebounding from big losses in 2022. One trader sees shares trending lower in the next two years. That’s based on the January 16, 2026 $2 puts. With 756 days until expiration, 10,014 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 130, for a 77-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.19 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded just over $9. They would need to drop over $7, or 78 percent, for the options to move in-the-money. It would also mean shares moving m...

Shipping giantNordic American Tankers (NAT) is up 32 percent over the past year, beating the S&P 500’s returns by about 50 percent. One trader sees shares continuing higher in the next few months. That’s based on the February 16, 2024 $5.00 calls. With 57 days until expiration, 9,866 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 144, for a 68-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.23 to make the bullish bet. Nordic American recently traded for about $4.30, so shares would need to rise $0.70, or about 16 percent, for the option to move in-the-mone...

PBF Energy (PBF), a refiner and supplier of petroleum products such as jet fuel, is up 15 percent over the past year. One trader sees shares moving higher in the first quarter of 2024. That’s based on the April 19 $55 calls. With 121 days until expiration, 7,379 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 113, for a 65-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.36 to make the bullish bet. PBF shares recently traded for about $44, so they would need to rise $11, or 25 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike price is about where shares tr...

Cryptocurrency mining companyMarathon Digital Holdings (MARA) is having a strong year, with shares up 360 percent. One trader is betting on a move higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 12 $14 calls. With 24 days until expiration, 4,039 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 153, for a 26-fold rise in volume on the options trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.80 to make the bullish bet. Marathon shares recently traded just over $18, meaning the option is already over $4.00 in-the-money. The stock has a 52-week high of $19.88. The company is coming ...