Unusual Options Activity

Money center bank U.S. Bancorp (USB) has seen shares drop about 25 percent in the past year. One trader sees a further drop for shares in the coming months. That’s based on the June 16 $30 puts. With 94 days until expiration, 5,377 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 100, for a 54-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.53 to make the bearish bet. The bank recently traded for just over $37, ...
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Industrial and manufacturing conglomerate 3M Company (MMM), has seen shares lose nearly a quarter of their value over the past year. One trader sees a further decline in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the March 31 $30 puts. With 18 days until expiration, 7,134 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 112, for a 64-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.60 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $105.50, ...
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Oil and gas operator Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) has seen shares rise 7 precent in the past year. More importantly, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) has been buying up shares as they drop to the low $60 range. One trader sees a bullish move ahead for the stock following the latest drop. That’s based on the March 31 $63 calls. With 21 days until expiration, 4,625 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 229, for a 20-fold rise in volume. The buyer ...
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Gold mining operator Barrick Gold Corporation (GOLD) has seen shares slide by just over one-third in the past year. One trader is betting on a rebound in shares over the coming months. That’s based on the September $21 calls. With 190 days until expiration, 9,668 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 375, for a 26-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.30 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded just under $16, ...
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Airliner Spirit Airlines (SAVE) dropped nearly 9 percent on Monday on a report that its potential acquisition would likely face an antitrust lawsuit from the Department of Justice. One trader sees a further decline for shares ahead. That’s based on the April $17.50 puts. With 44 days until expiration, 22,833 contracts traded compared to a prior interest of 330, for a 69-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.01 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently ...
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Consumer tech giant Apple (AAPL) dropped about in-line with the overall stock market last year. Shares look ready to move higher, however, and one trader is betting on a sizeable move in the coming weeks. That’s based on the April 14 $160 calls. With 37 days until expiration, 3,871 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 110, for a 35-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.89 to make the bullish bet. Apple shares ...
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3D printing company Desktop Metals (DM) have fallen on hard times in the past year, with shares losing over 60 percent of their value. One trader sees a further decline for shares in the months ahead. That’s based on the August $2.50 puts. With 165 days until expiration, 14,163 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 305, for a 46-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.75 to make the bearish bet. Desktop Metals ...
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American Airlines Group (AAL) stock has been trading in a range over the past year. One trader sees shares breaking out and moving higher in the months ahead. That’s based on the September $21 calls. With 196 days until expiration, 32,532 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 490, for a 66-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.54. The airliner recently traded for about $16, so shares would need to rise by $5, ...
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