Gold mining and exploration companyGold Fields Limited (GFI) has soared 40 percent in recent weeks as gold prices have once again topped $2,000 per ounce. One trader sees a further rally ahead. That’s based on the January 2024 $25 calls. With 287 days until expiration, 12,751 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 130, for a massive 98-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.58. Shares recently traded for about $14.50. Shares would need to rally another 72 percent this year for the option to move in-the-money. GFI is still under its 52-week hig...

Search engine giantGoogle (GOOGL) has been trending higher in the past few weeks following a massive decline last year. One trader sees a further move higher in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the April 28 $114 calls. With 21 days until expiration, 5,362 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 124, for a 43-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.33 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for about $105, so they’d need to rise about $10, or about 9 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. That’s a steep move higher for shares, but ...

Major oil and gas producerConocoPhillips (COP) jumped over 9 percent on Monday as oil prices rallied on news of OPEC cuts. One trader sees shares continuing higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the April 28 $107 calls. With 23 days until expiration, 11,135 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 109, for a 102-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.55 to make the bullish bet. Shares last went for just over $108, meaning the option is already just over $1.00 in-the-money. Shares are still well off their 52-week high of $138.49. While s...

Regional bankValley National Bancorp (VLY) has seen shares slide 25 percent in the past few weeks amid fears in the banking sector. One trader sees further downside ahead for the stock. That’s based on the September $5 puts. With 163 days until expiration, 9,954 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 265, for a 38-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.48 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded just over $9, so they would need to lose over $4, or nearly half their value, for the option to move in-the-money. It would also mean breaking u...

Precious metals producerAlamos Gold (AGI) has fared well over the past year, with a 44 percent gain. One trader sees a further rally in the months ahead. That’s based on the June $17.50 calls. With 74 days until expiration, 10,512 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 159, for a 66-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.10 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for just under $12.50, so they would need to rise over $5, or nearly 43 percent, for the option to move in-the-money. Such a move would likely occur if gold prices solidly ...

Insurance giantMetLife (MET) is down 22 percent over the past year, lagging the S&P 500. One trader sees the company continuing to slide even lower. That’s based on the September $42.50 puts. With 168 days until expiration, 3,004 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 109, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.18 to make the downside bet. With shares trading at about $56.50, the stock is still within 10 percent of its 52-week low of $52.83. A drop to $42.50 would mean breaking to a new low. That’s certainly possible. Insurance ...

Chinese tech giantAlibaba (BABA) soared on Tuesday, amid news that the company would break into six separate companies. One trader sees further upside ahead as those plans move forward. That’s based on the August $125 calls. With 140 days until expiration, 9,704 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 262, for a 37-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.75 to get in. Shares recently traded for about $99, so the stock would need to rally another 25 percent for the options to move in-the-money. That’s also right at the stock’s current 52-week hig...

Server and computer companyInternational Business Machines (IBM) have dropped 4 percent in the past year, outperforming the overall stock market by about 9 points. One trader sees a further decline for shares in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the April 21 $116 puts. With 23 days until expiration, 3,949 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 199, for a 33-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.56 to make the bearish bet. The company next reports earnings on April 19, so this is likely a bet on a miss for the company. Shares currently trade for...

Hotel and casino operatorMGM Resorts International (MGM) are down just 2 percent over the past year, outperforming the overall stock market by about 10 percent. One trader sees shares declining in the coming weeks. That’s based on the May $40 puts. With 51 days until expiration, 5,137 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 163, for a 32-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.01 to make the trade. Shares last went for about $41, so they’d need to drop less than 5 percent for the option to move in-the-money. Shares hit a 52-week high earlier i...

Major international money center bankDeutsche Bank (DB) has been under pressure, and shares are down 20 percent over the past year. One trader sees further weakness in the coming months. That’s based on the May $8 puts. With 53 days until expiration, 13,388 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 369, for a 36-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.80 to make the bearish bet. Deutsche Bank shares recently went for about $9.50, so the stock would need to decline $1.50, or nearly 20 percent, for the options to move in-the-money. A steep collapse l...