Unusual Options Activity

Telecom giant Verizon Communications (VZ) is at its 52-week high following strong earnings last week. One trader sees the potential for a further rally in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the March $46 calls. With 45 days until expiration, 24,648 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 380, for a 65-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.15 to make the bullish bet. Verizon shares recently traded for just over $42, so they ...
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Consumer lender Ally Financial (ALLY) is up 12 percent over the past year, lagging the overall market’s returns. One trader sees shares rising in the coming weeks. That’s based on the March $39 calls. With 48 days until expiration, 4,261 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 104, for a 41-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.65 to make the bullish bet. Ally shares recently traded for about $36.50, so the option would ...
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Shipping giant Nordic American Tankers (NAT) is up 45 percent over the past year, more than double the return of the S&P 500. One trader is betting shares will continue higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the March 15 $4.50 calls. With 49 days until expiration, 4,965 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 155, for a 32-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.27 to make the bullish bet. Nordic shares ...
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Beverage chain giant Starbucks (SBUX) has been a market laggard with an 11 percent decline over the past year. However, shares have been prone to popping during earnings season. One trader is betting that will happen when the company reports next week. That’s based on the February 2 $99 calls. With 9 days until expiration, 19,216 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 235, for an 82-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the calls paid $0.95. Starbucks shares recently ...
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Offshore drilling service provider Transocean (RIG) is down 10 percent over the past year, amid a decline in energy prices. One trader sees a rebound in the months ahead. That’s based on the August $6 calls. With 205 days until expiration, 11,794 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 205, for a 58-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.64 to make the bullish bet. Transocean recently traded for about $5.30, so shares would ...
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Drug manufacturer Pfizer (PFE) has been in a steady downtrend for the past year. One trader is betting that downtrend will continue in the coming weeks. That’s based on the February 23 $26 puts. With 31 days until expiration, 14,207 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 154, for a 92-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.28 to make the bearish bet. Pfizer shares recently traded for about $28, so they would need ...
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Mineral miner Rio Tinto Group (RIO) has lagged the market, losing 10 percent over the past year and sliding in recent weeks. However, one trader sees the potential for a rebound in the coming months. That’s based on the June $65 calls. With 153 days until expiration, 8,337 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 122, for a 68-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $5.70 to make the bullish bet. Rio Tinto shares ...
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Uranium producer Denison Mines (DNN) handily beat the market over the past year, gaining 52 percent. One trader sees shares trending higher in the months ahead. That’s based on the July $2.50 calls. With 182 days until expiration, 28,597 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 242, for a massive 118-fold rise in volume on the option trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.25 to make the bullish bet. Denison shares recently traded for about $2, so the stock ...
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