Unusual Options Activity

Ascena Retail Group (ASNA)- 10,000 June $14 puts were purchased for $0.35-$0.40. Typically trades 123 puts per day. Earnings are due out in early June. Given the weak April comps out of $GPS last night, the Lane Bryant, Maurices, and dressbarn stores may disappoint as well.
Himax Technologies (HIMX)- More than 14,000 Sep $7 calls have traded with the majority being bought for $0.45-$0.50. Earnings are due out on May 14th. The stock is down about $2 year to date. Yesterday, they raised their quarterly dividend to $0.30 from $0.27 (4.38% yield at $0.27).
Ingersoll-Rand (IR)- 1,000+ May $67.50 calls were purchased for $0.35-$0.40. This is a short-term bet going into options expiration.
Southern (SO)- Nearly 20,000 June $43 puts were bought $0.96-$1.14 early this morning. Put activity was 20x the average daily volume. The rise in bond yields across the … Read More »

Smart Money Report

ASNA- Ascena Retail Group will report Q1 earnings after the bell tonight. Analysts are looking for $0.32 in EPS and revenue of $1.2 billion. The options market is implying a $2.05 move, or 9.79%, in either direction through December options expiration. Call to put ratio in (ASNA) options is currently 1.77.
KKD- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will also releasing earnings results this afternoon as well. Analysts are looking for $0.15 in EPS and revenue of $115 million. Options traders are pricing in a $3.20 move, or 13.03%, in either direction through December options expiration. The put to call ratio in (KKD) options is 1.17.
BX- 10k Jan. 2014 $28 puts were bought for $0.59-$0.70 each, against open interest of 1,041 contracts.
FLR- 2,000 Jan. 2014 $72.50 puts were sold for $0.70 each, against open interest of 419 contracts.
INTC- 5,500 Apr. 2014 $25 … Read More »