Unusual Options Activity

Shares of energy giant
ExxonMobil (XOM) have been on a tear this year, with an 85 percent rally. One trader sees a pullback in the months ahead. That’s based on the February 2023 $80 puts. With 77 days until expiration, 4,511 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 183, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.44 to make the downside bet. The stock last traded for just under $112, so shares would ...
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Shares of iron ore producer
Vale (VALE) are up 22 percent in the past year, but are still well under the year’s highs. One trader sees shares moving higher through the first half of 2023. That’s based on the June 2023 $18 calls. With 196 days until expiration, 21,539 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 822, for a 26-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.25 to get into the trade. Shares recently traded ...
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Shares of apparel chain
Burlington Stores (BURL) are down about 33 percent in the past year. One trader sees a further decline ahead for shares. That’s based on the March 2023 $150 put. With 106 days until expiration, 3,233 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 110, for a 29-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $7.55 to make the bearish bet. Shares recently traded for just under $200, so it would take a nearly ...
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Shares of packaged food company
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) are up about 12 percent over the past year. One trader sees a further long-term uptrend for shares playing out through next summer. That’s based on the July 2023 $45 calls. With 233 days until expiration, 3,195 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 216, for a 15-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.09 to make the bet. Kraft Heinz shares recently traded ...
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Shares of investment bank
Morgan Stanley (MS) are down about 12 percent in the last year, but have been trending higher in recent weeks. One trader sees the current uptrend continuing in the next few sessions. That’s based on the December $94 call. With 18 days until expiration, 2,907 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 135, for a 22-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.85 to make the bet. Shares recently traded for ...
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Shares of consumer goods giant
Unilever (UL) are down just 6 percent in the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by nearly 10 percent. One trader sees shares moving higher to close out the year. That’s based on the December $50 calls. With 20 days until expiration, 8,516 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 388, for a 22-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.60 to make the bet. Shares recently traded just over ...
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Shares of electric car manufacturer
Tesla Motors (TSLA) hit a 52-week low earlier this week. The automaker has been caught up in CEO Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. One trader is betting on a rebound ahead. That’s based on the December $173.33 calls. With 22 days until expiration, 15,158 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 511, for a 30-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $9.60 to make the bullish bet. Shares recently ...
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Shares of chipmaker
Intel Corporation (INTC) have slid 40 percent in the past year. One trader sees a potential rebound in the next 10 months. That’s based on the September 2023 $40 calls. With 295 days until expiration, 5,076 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 204, for a 25-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.88 to make the bet. Intel shares recently traded for just under $29, so they’d need to rise $11, ...
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