Regional bankValley National Bancorp (VLY) is near 52-week highs and nearly double off its lows from the spring. One trader sees the bank moving even higher in the coming months. That’s based on the March 2024 $12 calls. With 88 days until expiration, 7,589 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 149, for a 51-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.50 to make the bullish bet. Shares last traded just over $11, so they would need to rise $1, or about 9 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The stock’s 52-week high of $12.61 was hit in ...

Uranium producerCameco (CCJ) has been steadily trending higher all year, with shares up 107 percent over the past 12 months. One trader is betting on a final rally to end the year. That’s based on the December 29 $52 calls. With 14 days until expiration, 20,146 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 136, for a 78-fold jump in volume on the option trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.15. Cameco recently traded for about $45.50, so shares would need to rally over 14 percent in the next two weeks for the trade to move in-the-money. It would also mean breaking well over t...

Regional air carrierJetBlue Airways (JBLU) has lost 25 percent of its value over the past year, as the company has been working on a massive acquisition. One trader sees shares floundering in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the December 29 $5.50 puts. With 15 days until expiration, 15,271 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 141, for a 108-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.30 to make the bearish bet. JetBlue recently traded right at $5.50, making this an at-the-money trade. The stock is well off its 52-week low of $3.42, set in late Oct...

Drug manufacturerPfizer (PFE) has lost 44 percent over the past year, as the company has struggled in the current market for new drugs. One trader sees the trend continuing in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the January 5, 2024 $27 put. With 23 days until expiration, 9,076 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 209, for a 43-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.15 to make the bearish bet. Pfizer shares recently traded for about $28.60, so shares would need to drop $1.60, or about 5.6 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Such a dr...

Medical device manufacturerBoston Scientific Corporation (BSX) is up 19 percent over the past year, and shares trade near a 52-week high. One trader sees the stock moving even higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 5, 2024 $58 calls. With 24 days until expiration, 3,351 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 116, for a 29-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.19 to make the bullish bet. Boston Scientific shares recently traded near $55, so they would need to rise $3, or just over 5 percent, for the option to move in-the-money...

Semiconductor developerMarvell Technology (MRVL) is up 21 percent over the past year, beating the S&P 500 by about 6 points. One trader sees further outperformance in the months ahead. That’s based on the March $52.50 calls. With 95 days until expiration, 9,396 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 166, for a 57-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.50 to make the bullish bet. Marvell recently traded for about $52, so shares would need to rise about 1 percent to move in-the-money. Shares are lower since making a 52-week high of $67.99...

Regional bankTruist Financial Corporation (TFC) has lost 20 percent of its value over the past year as interest rates have continued to rise. One trader is betting on a move higher in the coming months. That’s based on the February 16, 2024 $35 calls. With 70 days until expiration, 10,205 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 176, for a 58-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.15 to make the bullish bet. Truist shares last went for about $33, so the stock would need to rise by $2, or 6 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Truist ...

Investment platformRobinhood Markets (HOOD) is flat over the past year. Trading volume remains well off the prior bull market peak. However, one trader does see shares heading higher through the end of the year. That’s based on the December 29 $13 calls. With 22 days until expiration, 3,711 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 133, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.24 to make the bullish bet. Robinhood recently traded for about $10.50, so shares would need to rise $2.50, or just under 25 percent for the option to move in-the-mo...

Commerce platformShopify (SHOP) has had a banner year, returning 81 percent, far outpacing the 15 percent return in the S&P 500. One trader sees a pullback in the coming weeks. That’s based on the December 29 $62 puts. With 23 days until expiration, 4,387 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 135, for a 33-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the pus paid $0.30 to make the bearish bet. Shopify recently traded for about $72, so shares would need to drop $10, or about 14 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike price is still well off th...

Online floral delivery company1-800-FLOWERS.COM (FLWS) is down 4 percent over the past year. One trader sees shares trending higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 19 $10 calls. With 45 days until expiration, 5,094 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 113, for a 45-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.45 to make the bullish bet. FLWS recently traded just over $9, so shares would need to rise about $1, or just under 10 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike price is still well under the stock’s 52-week ...