Brazilian iron ore producerVale (VALE) is down about 30 percent over the past year, and shares are near their 52-week lows. One trader is betting on a rebound in the coming weeks. That’s based on the July $13 calls. With 49 days until expiration, 24,955 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 414, for a 60-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.67 to make the bullish bet. With a current price near $12.50, the option is near-the-money, and well under the stock’s 52-week high of $19.31. Shares have dropped with the company’s profitability in t...

Big box retailerTarget (TGT) has seen shares sink to new 52-week lows over the past week. While shares look oversold in the short-term, one trader is betting on a further move lower. That’s based on the September $110 puts. With 106 days until expiration, 10,144 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 428, for a 24-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.50 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $134, so Target would need to drop about $24, or another 18 percent, for the options to move in-the-money. It would also mean shares m...

Regional bankPacWest Bancorp (PACW) has seen shares drop 80 percent over the past year as a banking crisis has unfolded. Shares are volatile on a daily basis, and one trader sees the stock moving lower in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the July 21 $4 puts. With 51 days until expiration, 18,843 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 246, for a 77-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.70. Shares recently traded just over $7, so they would need to fall by $3, or about 42 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. During the initial bank cris...

Department storeMacy’s (M) has struggled in recent years, and the stock is down by about one-third over the past year. One trader sees a further decline in the months ahead. That’s based on the July $13 puts. With 51 days until expiration, 20,077 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 181, for a 111-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.40 to make the bearish bet. Macy’s shares traded just over $14, making this an at-the-money trade. It’s also right at the stock’s 52-week low. Earnings dropped by 31 percent over the past year, and revenue s...

ChipmakerTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) recently jumped 12 percent and is back near its 52-week high. One trader sees a further rally ahead. That’s based on the August $105 calls. With 81 days until expiration, 8,187 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 155, for a 53-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $5.45 to make the bullish bet. TSM shares recently closed near $101, so shares only need to rise another $3 for the option to move in-the-money. The 52-week high is $102.37, so traders are betting on a breakout to new highs from here...

AutomakerGeneral Motors (GM) is down about 7 percent over the past year, and shares appear to be at the low end of a trading range before the stock pops higher. One trader is betting on such a rally in the coming months. That’s based on the August $42 calls. With 84 days until expiration, 9,011 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 150, for a 60-fold rise in volume. The buyer paid $0.15 to make the trade. Shares recently traded for just over $32, so they’d need to rise $10, or by nearly one-third, for the option to move in-the-money. With a 52-week high of $43.63, suc...

Shares of big data analysis companyPalantir Technologies (PLTR) have soared over 50 percent in the past month. One trader is betting that shares will give up some of that gain in the coming weeks. That’s based on the June 16th $12.50 puts. With 21 days until expiration, 3,924 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 122, for a 32-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.77 to make the bearish bet. Palantir last traded at about $12.60, so this is an at-the-money trade. Shares have a 52-week high of $13.42, but a low under $6, so they’re near the hig...

Casino operatorLas Vegas Sands (LVS) has had a great year, with shares up over 80 percent. One trader is betting the good times will continue to roll. That’s based on the September $45 calls. With 114 days until expiration, 76,065 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 363, for a staggering 210-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $16.15. Shares recently traded for just under $60, meaning the options are about $15 in-the-money, and carry very little premium for how much time the trade has to play out. The stock has come off of a 52-week high of...

Ride share serviceUber Technologies (UBER) has had a strong rally, with shares up 68 percent over the past year. One trader is betting that the rally has stalled out. That’s based on the December 15 $40 puts. With 205 days until expiration, 3,004 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 107, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $4.80 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded just over $39, so this is an at-the-money trade. Shares recently popped higher after earnings, hitting a 52-week high of $39.49. Overall, Uber has lost mone...

Tech conglomerateMicrosoft (MSFT) has been trending higher in recent sessions, and just broke through to a new 52-week high. One trader is betting that the uptrend will continue in the short term. That’s based on the June 30 $330 calls. With 38 days until expiration, 7,806 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 175, for a 45-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.10 to make the bullish bet. Microsoft recently traded just under $320, so the stock would need to rise about $10, or 3 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. The tech giant ...