Unusual Options Activity

Swiss bank UBS Group (UBS) soared over 50 percent last year, coming off extremely low valuations. One trader is betting on a pullback in shares in the coming months. That’s based on the May 17, 2024 $25 puts. With 132 days until expiration, 11,402 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 200, for a 57-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.60 to make the bearish bet. UBS shares recently traded for just over ...
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Commerce platform Shopify (SHOP) rose over 120 percent in 2023, fueled in strong part by the year-end rally. One trader is betting shares will pull back in the coming weeks following their major move. That’s based on the February 2 $64 puts. With 28 days until expiration, 8,931 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 203, for a 44-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.60 to make the bearish bet. Shopify recently traded ...
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Oil and gas exploration company Antero Resources (AR) sank 20 percent in 2023, as energy prices trended down compared to the prior year. One trader sees a move higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the February 16 $20 calls. With 44 days until expiration, 7,006 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 267, for a 26-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $3.35 to make the bullish bet. Antero Resources recently traded ...
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Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba (BABA) is down 15 percent over the past year, as China’s economy has failed to grow faster following the end of its pandemic lockdowns. One trader sees a further decline in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 26 $69 puts. With 24 days until expiration, 7,091 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 239, for a 30-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.42 to make the ...
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Hotel owner and operator Hilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT) rose 44 percent in 2023, amid a strong demand for travel and tourism. One trader sees shares continuing to trend higher in the first quarter of 2024. That’s based on the April $175 calls. With 109 days until expiration, 16,003 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 270, for a 59-fold rise in volume on the options trade. The buyer of the calls paid $14.70 to make the bullish bet. Hilton recently ...
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Pharmaceutical developer Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) is down 7 percent over the past year, but shares have been trending higher in recent weeks. One trader sees the potential for a big surge in shares in the coming months. That’s based on the April 2024 $15 calls. With 112 days until expiration, 5,172 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 158, for a 33-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.85 to make the bullish ...
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Bitcoin mining data center operator Cipher Mining (CIFR) has been on a tear this year, with shares up nearly 700 percent. One trader sees a pullback playing out in the months ahead. That’s based on the June 2024 $2.50 puts. With 176 days until expiration, 3,418 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a 33-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.55 to make the bearish bet. Cipher shares recently traded just ...
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Specialty insulation producer Aspen Aerogels (ASPN) is up 27 percent over the past year, slightly beating out the overall stock market. One trader expects further outperformance in the coming half year. That’s based on the July 19th $22.50 calls. With 204 days until expiration, 7,013 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 180, for a 39-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.50 to make the bullish bet. Aspen shares recently traded for about ...
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