Unusual Options Activity

Analog Devices (ADI)- Roughly 5,000 Sep $72.50 calls were bought for $1.55-$1.60. There has been large buying in the Sep $70 calls since May 20th (open interest north of 13,000). On May 19th, the company reported better than expected Q1 results (trades at a reasonable PEG ratio of 1.09x).
Cisco Systems (CSCO)- 100,000 Aug $30 calls were sold for $0.50-$0.54. The stock has struggled this year to close above $30 on a weekly basis. He/she is likely selling these calls against an existing stock position, creating a covered call.
Mattel (MAT)- The Jan 2016 $18/$25 bear put spread was put on 3,153 times for a $2.00 debit. Shares trade at a rich 18.87x 2015 earnings for a company that is projected to see both the top and bottom shrink compared to 2014. The long-term downtrend remains intact (next major support … Read More »

Options Report

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Unusual Options Activity

Cisco Systems (CSCO)- Over 10,000 July $30 calls were bought for $0.60-$0.65, against open interest of 26,641 contracts. The stock is nearing a retest of the $30 resistance level. On Friday, according to a 13F filing, Bridgewater Associates (Ray Dalios) started a 500,000+ share position in CSCO.
GrubHub (GRUB)- Roughly 2,300 July $45 calls were bought for $0.80. On April 29th, they reported a 50.5% spike in Q1 revenue and active diners rose 46% to 5.60M. On May 6th, JMP Securities reiterated their outperform rating and a $55 price target.
Perrigo (PRGO)- The June $180/$200/$230 bull call spread risk reversal was put on 2,500 times for a $2.00 debit. This was done on Friday as well. Mylan is trying to takeover the smaller competitor. In the mean time, PRGO acquired Patheon’s Mexican business for $34M on May 12th.
Energy Select Sector … Read More »

Unusual Options Activity

Arena Pharmaceuticals (ARNA)- 2,000 Oct $5 calls were purchased for $0.60. They received an additional patent for Belviq, their weight loss drug, this morning. Shares have been range bound between $4 and $5 for most of 2015.
Cisco Systems (CSCO)- 8,000 May 15 $27 calls were bought for $1.01-$1.07, against open interest of 4,900 contracts. The stock trades at just 12x earnings and has a multi-billion dollar buyback program and a 3% dividend.
Kohl’s (KSS)- 2,500 Oct $70 puts were purchased for $2.30. This is likely a hedge after the $20 run up year to date.
Outerwall (OUTR)- The May 15 $70/$80 call spread was put on another 2,000 times for a $2.38 debit. This trade happened yesterday for a $2.00 debit. Q1 earnings are due out on May 7th. Shares have moved higher after earnings on 6 straight reports.
Xerox (XRX)- … Read More »

 Unusual Options Activity

C- Roughly 20,000 Mar 2015 $52.50 calls were bought for $0.55-$0.70 each, against open interest of 9,485 contracts. The call to put ratio was 2:1 and call activity was 3x the average daily volume. This morning, Citigroup missed Q4 EPS and revenue estimates, sending shares lower. The stock is now coming in for a retest of the $46 support level that has held for nearly two years. Tangible book value of the company is now $56.83 per share.
CSCO- A likely rollout from 15,000 Mar 2015 $30 calls ($0.32 credit) into 15,000 Mar 2015 $28 calls ($0.96 debit) today. Volume was above the open interest in the Mar 2015 $28 calls. He/she is likely doing a roll down to get a higher delta on the trade and is willing to pay up for it. Q2 earnings are due out … Read More »

 Unusual Options Activity

In today’s Unusual Options Activity Report we highlight call buying in Boston Scientific (BSX) and Cisco Systems (CSCO).

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 Unusual Options Activity

In today’s Unusual Options Activity Report we highlight put buying in Cisco Systems (CSCO) and call selling in General Electric (GE).

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Smart Money Report

BABA- 10,000 Nov 22 $91 puts were sold for $2.80 each, against open interest of 59 contracts. Alibaba earnings are due out on 11/4 (this being their first report as a publicly traded company). The options market is currently pricing in about a $7.50 move through that week.
CBSO- The Nov 22 $30 straddle was put on 6,000 times for a $1.61 credit. Volume was above the open interest in both options. Earnings are due out on 11/4. The trader is betting on a move above $31.61 or below $28.39 in CBS Outdoor Americas on November monthly options expiration.
CSCO- 17,000 Nov 22 $23 puts were purchased for $0.44-$0.47 each, against open interest of 11,372 contracts. Cisco Systems earnings are due out on 11/12. The stock has dropped after earnings on 5 out of the last 7 reports.
RSX- A rollout … Read More »

Unusual Options Activity

In today’s Unusual Options Activity Report we highlight put buying in Cisco Systems (CSCO) and call buying in ZIOPHARM Oncology (ZIOP).

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Smart Money Report

AAL- 3,000 Oct 31 weekly $32.50 puts were purchased for $2.25 each, against open interest of 127 contracts. Earnings are due out on 10/23. The stock is on pace to close below the $32 support level from April. Given how the puts are in-the-money already it is unlikely to be a hedge on American Airlines.
CSCO- 7,500 Jan 2015 $25 calls were purchased for $0.48 each, against open interest of 85,742 contracts.
CSCO- 10,000 Dec $25 calls were purchased for $0.44-$0.47 each, against open interest of 6,291 contracts. Following the lower guidance from Microchip Technology (MCHP) this morning, maybe tech stocks including Cisco Systems had a sizable pullback.
CZR- 5,000 Dec $10 puts were bought for $1.65-$1.75 each, against open interest of 5,044 contracts. The casino stock bear market (Caesars Entertainment included) has been in place since late Q1.
RICE- A rollout … Read More »

Smart Money Report

C- 6,000 Oct $44 puts were sold for $0.50 each, against open interest of 2,330 contracts. Shares of Citigroup haven’t been below $44 since April of 2013. On 7/15, Oppenheimer raised their price target to $68 from $67. They trade at a P/E ratio of 9.01x (2015 estimates) with 47.3% EPS growth (-17.1% this year), 3% revenue growth (0.4% this year), P/S ratio of 2.14x, P/B ratio of 0.72x, 0.08% dividend yield, and has an average analyst price target of $57.
CSCO- 10,000 Oct $26 calls were bought for $0.57-$0.58 each, against open interest of 54,271 contracts. Cisco Systems Q4 earnings are due out on 8/13. Large buying in these calls on 8/1 and 8/5. Open interest was 26,177 contracts on 8/1.
HZNP- 2,000 Sep $10 calls were bought for $1.05 each, against open interest of 94 contracts. They beat … Read More »

Smart Money Report

BIDU- A rollout from 3,745 Sep $185 calls (credit) into over 3,000 Dec $200 calls (debit). Volume was above the open interest in the Dec $200 calls. Earnings are due out on 7/24. Baidu shares have moved higher after earnings on four straight reports. They beat EPS estimates last quarter by $1.20 and was revenues rise 59% year over year.
CSCO- More than 18,000 Sep $27 calls have traded with the majority being purchased for $0.44-$0.46 each, against open interest of 91,324 contracts. Cisco Systems earnings are due out on 8/13. RBC Capital maintained an outperform rating, but raised their price target to $28 from $24.
IMAX- Another 2,500 Aug $26 calls were bought for $0.55 each, against open interest of 4,480 contracts. The call to put ratio is 66:1. Call activity is over 2x the average daily volume.  Over … Read More »

Unusual Options Activity

In today’s Unusual Options Activity Report we highlight call buying in Cisco Systems (CSCO) and IMAX (IMAX).

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Smart Money Report

CSCO- Cisco Systems is set to announce Q2 earnings after the bell tonight. Analysts are looking for $0.46 in EPS and revenue of $11 billion. The options market is implying a $1.37 move, or 6.00%, in either direction through Friday’s close. Call to put ratio in (CSCO) is currently 1.28, led by a seller of 8,500 Jan. 2015 $25 calls for $0.96 each and buyer of 5k July $24 calls for $0.72 each.
WFM- Whole Foods Market will also releasing earnings after the bell tonight. Analysts are looking for $0.44 in EPS and revenue of $4.3 billion. Option traders are pricing in a $4.00 move, or 7.20%, in either direction through Friday’s close. The call to put ratio in (WFM) options is 1.02.
CTRX- Over 2k July $52.50 calls were purchased for up to $3.29 each, against open interest of … Read More »

Smart Money Report

CIT- A rollout from 1,850 Apr. 2014 $50 calls (credit) into 3,700 Apr. 2014 $55 calls (debit). Volume was above the open interest in the Apr. 2014 $55 calls.
CSCO- 7,500 Feb. 2014 $23 calls were purchased for $0.51 each, against open interest of 27,827 contracts.
GPOR- 3,000 Feb. 2014 $62.50 puts were bought for $4.30 each, against open interest of 70 contracts.
NSC- 3,591 Mar. 2014 $97.50 calls were purchased for $1.30 each, against open interest of 569 contracts.
AAPL- Apple shares are on pace to snap a four day losing streak, rising 1.02% today. The call to put ratio in (AAPL) options is 1.76, led by a buyer of 788 Jan. 2014 $570 calls for $7.45 each.

2014 LIMITED TIME OFFER– Save over 33% off the retail price ($299.95) of a 1 year membership. This $199 offer is only … Read More »

Smart Money Report

CSCO- Cisco Systems will report Q1 earnings after the bell tonight. Analysts are looking for $0.51 in EPS and revenue of $12.4 billion. The options market is implying a $1.16 move, or 4.86%, in either direction through Friday’s close. Call to put ratio in (CSCO) options is currently 2.63.
WMT- Wal-Mart Stores will release Q3 results before the bell tomorrow morning. Analysts are looking for $1.13 in EPS and revenue of $117 billion. Options traders are pricing in a $1.96 move, or 2.48%, in either direction through Friday’s close. The put to call ratio in (WMT) options is 1.06.
AMTD- 6,800 Jan. 2015 $35 calls were bought for $1.20 each, against open interest of 390 contracts.
BHP- 4,485 Dec. $47.50 puts were purchased for $1.17 each, against open interest of 138 contracts.
CELG- 7,500 Dec. 6 weekly $140 puts were sold for $1.44 … Read More »

  Smart Money Report

BA- Boeing is set to announce Q3 earnings before the bell tomorrow morning. Analysts are looking for $1.54 in EPS and revenue of $21.7 billion. The options market is implying a $4.00 move, or 3.26%, in either direction through Friday’s close. Call to put ratio in (BA) options is currently 1.08.
CAT- Another name to report in the morning is Caterpillar. Analysts are looking for $1.67 in EPS and revenue of $14.3 billion. Options traders are pricing in a $2.85 move, or 3.21%, in either direction through Friday’s close. The call to put ratio in (CAT) options is 2.08.
CSCO- 15,000 Nov. $24 calls purchased for $0.26-$0.27 each, against open interest of 60,972 contracts. Open interest has been rising steadily in these calls for the last two months.
DLTR- Over 1,900 Nov. $65 calls were purchased for $0.25 each, against open interest … Read More »

 Unusual Options Activity

 In today’s Unusual Options Activity Report we highlight large call buying in Cisco Systems (CSCO) and a bull risk reversal in Penn Virginia (PVA).

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Smart Money Report

CSCO- Cisco Systems will report Q4 earnings after the bell tonight. Analysts are looking for $0.51 in EPS and revenue of $12.4 billion. Options traders are pricing in a $1.68 move, or 6.43%, in either direction. The call to put ratio in the Aug. options is in favor of the bulls at 2.28.
NTAP- Another large tech name to report tonight is NetApp. Analysts are looking for $0.49 in EPS and revenue of $1.5 billion. The options market is implying a $1.98 move, or 4.69%, in either direction. Put to call ratio in the Aug. options is 1.09.
HOV- 2,400 Sep. $6 calls were bought for $0.15 each, against open interest of 2,200 contracts. Hovnanian Enterprises are near the lows of the day, but remain higher by 0.58%.
PPC- Over 7,500 Dec. $15 calls were purchased for $3.30-$4.80 each, against open interest of 455 … Read More »