Apparel manufacturing firmV.F. Corporation (VFC) is down nearly 50 percent over the past year. One trader sees the weakness in shares continuing throughout the next year. That’s based on the January 2025 $10 puts. With 441 days until expiration, 40,812 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 258, for a massive 158-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.35 to make the bearish bet. VFC shares recently traded for about $13, so the stock would need to drop $3, or about 23 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Shares just broke through to a n...

Airline carrierJetBlue (JBLU) is down nearly 50 percent over the past year, as the carrier has been working on the acquisition ofSpirit Airlines (SAVE). One trader sees shares trending higher into the start of next year. That’s based on the January 2024 $4.00 calls. With 78 days until expiration, 42,989 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 526, for an 82-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.49 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for about $3.75, so they would need to rise about 25 cents, or about 7 percent, for the option to mo...

Shares ofTesla Motors (TSLA) slid under $200 this week. The stock is now at a five-month low and under its 200-day moving average. One trader sees a short-term bounce in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the December 1 $200 call. With 30 days until expiration, 3,323 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 169, for a 20-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $11.60 to make the bullish bet. With shares trading right around $200, this is an at-the-money trade. Shares will need to rise faster than the options lose time value to profit on the trade. Suc...

Canadian energy producerCenovus Energy (CVE) has been making higher highs since May, but recently started to break lower. One trader is betting on further downside for shares in the coming weeks. That’s based on the December 15 $19 puts. With 45 days until expiration, 10,908 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 435, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.85 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently went for about $19.30, so the trade in an at-the-money one. Cenovus has been trending toward is old 52-week high of $22.18, but has been p...

Gold producerAgnico Eagle Mines (AEM) is up about 9 percent over the past year, but has declined substantially from its 52-week highs in the spring. One trader sees shares posting a stronger rally through 2025. That’s based on the January 2025 $75 calls. With 445 days until expiration, 5,001 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 243, for a 21-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.50. Agnico Eagle recently traded for about $47.50. Shares would need to rise $27.50, or about 58 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. That would also mean ...

Industrial conglomerateGeneral Electric (GE) is having a strong year, with shares up over 90 percent. One trader sees further upside ahead going into next year. That’s based on the March 2024 $105 calls. With 140 days until expiration, 18,015 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 138, for a massive 131-fold rise in volume on the options trade. The buyer of the calls paid $13.80 to make the bullish bet. GE shares last traded for about $111, making the option about $6 in-the-money. The stock hit a 52-week high just shy of $118 back in July. The stock was trending low...

E-commerce financial technology companyStoneCo (STNE) has been trading lower in recent months. One trader sees shares declining further into the new year. That’s based on the January 2024 $8 puts. With 85 days until expiration, 49,324 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 293, for a staggering 168-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.30 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $10, so they would need to drop about 20 percent, or $2, for the option to move in-the-money. The $8 strike price is also right at the 52-week low of ...

Casino operatorLas Vegas Sands (LVS) is up 30 percent over the past year, even as shares have come well off their 52-week highs. One trader is making a high probability bet shares will trend higher. That’s based on the March 2024 $40 calls. With 142 days until expiration, 43,033 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 172, for a massive 250-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $8.40. Shares recently traded close to $46.50, making the options about $6.50 in-the-money. That leaves just $2.00 in time premium on the option. Las Vegas Sands is well o...

Metal producerUnited States Steel (X) is up nearly 48 percent over the past year, far beating the overall market. One trader is betting on shares to move higher in the next month. That’s based on the November 24 $33 calls. With 31 days until expiration, 10,313 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 534, for a 19-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.15. Shares recently traded for just under $32, so they would need to rise about 3.5 percent, or $1, for the option to move in-the-money. The strike price of $33 is just under the stock’s 52-week h...

Semiconductor producerTaiwan Semiconductor (TSM) is up 41 percent over the past year, and held up well amid last week’s market selloff. One trader sees further upside ahead. That’s based on the February 16, 2024 $80 calls. With 116 days until expiration, 25,019 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 157, for a massive 159-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $15.75 to make the bullish bet Shares recently traded for about $93, making the option about $13 in-the-money, and leaving just under $3 in time premium. That’s still well under TSM’s 52-we...