Unusual Options Activity

Search engine giant Google (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, ...
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Major oil and gas producer ConocoPhillips (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 ...
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Regional bank Valley 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, ...
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Precious metals producer Alamos 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 ...
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Insurance giant MetLife (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 ...
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Chinese tech giant Alibaba (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 ...
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Server and computer company International 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 ...
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Hotel and casino operator MGM 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 ...
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