Unusual Options Activity

Shares of movie theater chain AMC Entertainment Company (AMC) are leading a new potential retail short squeeze higher. Naturally, that’s caused some traders to expect the company to crater down in the coming days, weeks or months. With a number of put options on the company leading unusual option activity by volume, the August $18 puts are the most interesting for a potential post-squeeze drop. With 81 days until expiration, over 12,740 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 161, ...
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Shares of cable and entertainment giant Comcast (CMCSA) have been trading in a range in recent weeks. One trader sees a return to the high end of that range in the days ahead. That’s based on the June $59 calls. Expiring in 21 days, over 31,800 contracts traded, a 163-fold increase in volume from the prior open interest of 194 contracts. The buyer of the calls paid about $0.42 to make the trade. Shares of Comcast trade near $57, so the shares ...
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The automotive industry had a strong year in 2020, but automotive stocks have had a rougher time in 2021 as a semiconductor shortage has shut down production for many carmakers. One trader sees the potential for a drop in General Motors (GM) in the coming weeks. That’s based on the July $57.50 puts. With 50 days until expiration, over 25,132 contracts traded against an open interest of 256, for a 98-fold rise in volume. The options are slightly in-the-money based on a ...
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Fuel cell energy company Ballard Power Systems (BLDP) saw shares rally to a speculative high back in February over $40, only to slide lower. One trader sees the potential for an even further drop in shares, despite a rally in recent sessions. That’s based on the June 18 $13 puts. With 23 days left to trade, over 46,524 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 104, for a staggering 447-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the puts paid about $0.10 ...
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Shares of home improvement retailer the Home Depot (HD) dropped last week despite a great earnings report. At least one trader sees the selloff as related to last week’s market weakness, with shares likely to bounce higher. That’s based on the June $320 calls. Over 1,032 contracts traded against a prior open interest of 101, for a 10-fold rise in volume. The option expires in one month, and the buyer of the option paid about $5.75 for the trade. With shares just ...
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The recent selloff in tech has caused a number of big-name companies benefitting from the semiconductor shortage to decline. One such name is Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). At least one trader sees room for a rally ahead. That’s based on the March 2022 $77.50 calls. With 298 days until expiration, over 13,300 contracts traded, a 60-fold rise in volume from the prior open interest of 222. The buyer of the calls paid about $11.40 for the option. With shares around $78, the ...
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Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors (TSLA) has been out of favor with the markets in recent weeks. At least one trader sees further short-term weakness. That’s based on a number of unusual options trades. The June 11 $480 put is one such trade. Over 3,580 contracts traded from a prior open interest of 180, for a 20-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the option, which expires in 21 days, paid about $7.95 for the contract. With shares around $565, shares would ...
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Utility giant Next Era Energy (NEE) has seen shares slide to a price point where it’s bounced higher on previous occasions the past few months. One trader sees that happening again. That’s based on the August $75 calls. With 92 days until expiration, over 6,020 contracts traded from a prior open interest of 178, for a 34-fold rise in volume. The buyer of the options paid about $2.15 to make the trade. With shares down near $72.50, the option is just slightly ...
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