Unusual Options Activity

Telecom company Altice USA (ATUS) has been trending up in the past year, and performing well for a telecom. However, at least one trader sees the potential for a big drop. That’s based on the January 2022 $20 puts. With 277 days until expiration, over 10,900 contracts traded from a 115 open interest, for a 95-fold rise in volume. The put buyer paid about $0.50 for each contract. With shares currently near $33.50, shares would need to fall by over $13 for ...
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Shares of social media firm Snapchat (SNAP) peaked in February before trending down. In the past week, they’ve started moving up again. At least one trader sees a push to new all-time highs. That’s based on the May $62 calls. With shares at $62.01, they’re the at-the-money trade. With 28 days until expiration, over 4,680 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 136, for a 34-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the call paid $5.10 to make the trade. Snapchat next ...
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AI speech company Nuance Communications (NUAN) moved higher on Monday as Microsoft (MSFT) announced it was buying the company. One trader sees the possibility for a bidding war that may lead to a higher price for shares. That’s based on the January 2022 $65 call. Over 5,145 contracts traded after the merger news, a 30-fold rise in the prior open interest of 171 contracts. The buyer of the option paid $0.33 on average to make the trade. The merger news with Nuance ...
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British bank Barclays PLC (BCS) has been trending higher in the past six months, but the rate of the rally has started to slow in recent weeks. Traders seem to be sensing a weakness ahead for the bank. That’s based on the September $10 put. With 156 days until expiration, over 8,080 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 126, for a 64-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the puts paid about $0.80 for the trade. With shares just over ...
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Mortgage REIT Two Harbors Investment Corp (TWO) has seen shares slow from a strong rally in recent months to a more sideways trend. One trader is betting that shares are due for a drop. That’s based on the May 21st $7 puts. With just over a month left on the trade, and with shares around $7.40, the put option will move higher on a drop in shares. Over 10,160 contracts traded, a 28-fold rise in volume from the prior open interest ...
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After trading in a range for nearly three months, shares of NCR Corp (NCR) have finally broken higher. One trader sees the trend continuing strongly in the next month. That’s based on the May $46 calls. With 39 days until expiration, over 8,060 contracts traded, a 40-fold rise in volume from the prior open interest of 204 contracts. With shares right around $39, shares would need to rally about 18 percent for the option to move in-the-money. The trader paid about $0.53 ...
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File sharing app company Dropbox (DBX) is trading at its highest level since shortly after it went public in 2018. One trader sees the potential for shares to continue higher. That’s based on the May 21st $29 call. Expiring in 42 days, over 7,750 contracts traded, a 36-fold rise in volume compared to the prior number of contracts at 213. The option buyer paid about $1.50 for the contract. With shares about $1.50 under the strike price, the stock would need to ...
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Real estate listing firm Zillow (Z) saw shares soar to $200 before dropping back down to $120. Now, with shares on the rise to $140, one trader is betting on a move higher. That’s based on the September $120 calls. With 162 days until expiration, the option is about $20 in-the-money given the recent price of $140. Over 10,100 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 133, for a 76-fold rise in volume. The trader paid about $33 for the ...
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