Unusual Options Activity

Car manufacturer Ford Motor Company (F) has seen shares lose over a quarter of their value in the past year. One trader is betting that the stock will see a further slide in the months ahead. That’s based on the June $12 puts. With 106 days until expiration, 20,868 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 269, for a 78-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.98. Ford shares recently traded for about $12, ...
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Shares of oil and gas equipment and services company Schlumberger Limited (SLB) have gained 37 percent in the past year. One trader sees the stock continuing to rally in the coming weeks. That’s based on the April $65 call. With 51 days until expiration, 35,216 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 234, for a 151-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.36 to make the bullish bet. Schlumberger shares recently went for about ...
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Shares of Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor ASA (EQNR) have traded flat over the past year, underperforming the energy sector. One trader sees shares closing that gap by the end of 2023. That’s based on the January 2024 $38.99 calls. With 325 days until expiration, 10,200 options traded compared to a prior open interest of 134, for a 76-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.60 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for ...
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Shares of coffee store chain Starbucks (SUBX) are up 15 percent over the past year, bucking the market downtrend. However, one trader sees a pullback in the coming weeks. That’s based on the March $102 puts. With 18 days until expiration, 4,092 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 164, for a 25-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the puts paid $1.67. Shares recently traded around $103.50, so the stock would need to drop about $1.50 for the option ...
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Shares of pharmaceutical drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) are up 37 percent in the past year. However, the share price has started to sag – and one trader sees the potential for a further decline in the months ahead. That’s based on the May 2023 $310 puts. With 84 days until expiration, 4,464 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 159, for a 28-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $10.25. Eli ...
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Shares of Home Depot (HD) slid nearly 7 percent on Tuesday following the company’s latest earnings report and outlook. One trader sees shares trending lower in the coming months. That’s based on the April $270 puts. With 57 days until expiration, 5,766 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 131, for a 44-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $4.58 to make the bearish bet. Shares slid to about $296 following the earnings report, ...
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Shares of Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) have been cut nearly in half over the past year. One trader sees a decline in shares continuing in the coming months. That’s based on the September $12 puts. With 205 days until expiration, 5,672 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 181, for a 31-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $2.14 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for about $11.30, so the option is ...
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Shares of railroad Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) are down about 20 percent over the past year. One trader sees a rebound, although it may take two years to play out. That’s based on the January 2025 $220 calls. With 696 days until expiration, 4,100 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 192, for a 21-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $22.80 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently traded for just over $200, ...
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