Unusual Options Activity

Tech conglomerate Microsoft (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 ...
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Pharmaceutical company Bausch Health Companies (BHC) has dropped nearly 40 percent over the past year. One trader sees a further decline in the coming months. That’s based on the July $8 puts. With 63 days until expiration, 10,001 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 121, for an 83-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.08 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently went for about $7.50, so the options are already about $0.50 ...
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Automaker Ford Motor Company (F) has seen shares decline about 15 percent over the past year. One trader sees a further decline ahead. That’s based on the June 9 $11 puts. With 21 days until expiration, 14,140 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 495, for a 29-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.28 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently went for just over $11, making this an at-the-money trade. Shares are ...
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Toymaker Hasbro (HAS) has seen its shares drop nearly one-third over the past year. While the stock has rallied in recent weeks, one trader sees a further decline ahead. That’s based on the August $55 puts. With 93 days until expiration, 4,008 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 108, for a 37-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $1.73 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $62.50, so the stock ...
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Paper materials company Mercer International (MERC) is down nearly 40 percent over the past year. One trader is betting on a sharp rebound in the coming months. That’s based on the August $12.50 calls. With 94 days until expiration, 22,725 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 146, for a 156-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.15 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for about $9, so they would need to ...
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Search engine giant Google (GOOGL) popped higher last week following an announcement on the company’s investments in artificial intelligence. One trader is betting that shares will come down following the news. That’s based on the July $120 puts. With 67 days until expiration, 16,784 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 187, for a 90-fold jump in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $6.75 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $117, so ...
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Digital payment platform PayPal (PYPL) is down about 12 percent over the past year, although shares have been trending higher in the past few months. One trader sees that trend continuing in the coming weeks. That’s based on the June 23 $75 calls. With 42 days until expiration, 4,065 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 116, for a 35-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.36 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently ...
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Artificial intelligence software company C3.ai (AI) has had a strong year, with shares up nearly 29 percent as interest in the space has exploded higher. One trader sees shares moving lower in the weeks ahead as that interest potentially wanes. That’s based on the June $25 puts. With 36 days until expiration, 13,509 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 342, for a 40-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $6.31. Shares recently traded ...
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