Unusual Options Activity

Big box retailer Target (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 ...
Read More

Regional bank PacWest 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 ...
Read More

Department store Macy’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 ...
Read More

Chipmaker Taiwan 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 ...
Read More

Automaker General 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 ...
Read More

Shares of big data analysis company Palantir 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 ...
Read More

Casino operator Las 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, ...
Read More

Ride share service Uber 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 ...
Read More