Bullish Plays Crop Up In Consumer Staples ETF Call Options
by Option Review - April 17th, 2012 2:09 pm
Today’s tickers: XLP, WMT & SFLY
XLP - Consumer Stapes Select Sector SPDR Fund – Options activity on the Consumer Staples SPDR in the first 10 minutes of the session suggests one strategist is long-term bullish on shares in some of the largest and most well-known U.S. companies. Shares in the XLP are up 1.0% today at $34.11, just off the ETF’s record high of $34.42, as U.S. equities move broadly higher. The XLP’s top 10 holdings, which make up nearly 70% of the fund, include Dow heavyweights the likes of Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart Stores. Coca-Cola, the fund’s second-largest holding, is up nearly 3.0% this afternoon after the Company reported better-than-expected first-quarter results. The long-dated options position established on the ETF this morning stands to benefit from substantial bullish movement in the price of the underlying over the next year and eight months to expiration. It looks like the trader responsible for the transaction purchased a block of 10,000 calls at the Jan. 2014 $37 strike for a premium of $0.89 apiece. Profits are available on the position at expiration if shares in the XLP climb 11.0% to top a new record high of $37.89. A couple of hours into the trading day the same-strike call expiring in January 2013 was purchased 26,600 times at a premium of $0.23 each.
WMT - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. – The value of a sizable bullish bet initiated in Wal-Mart call options yesterday ballooned overnight, as shares in the retailer extend their run to the upside for a second straight day. Shares in WMT are currently up 2.05% at $61.81 as of 11:35 a.m. in New York, the highest since mid-February, on positive U.S. same-store sales data. On Monday, WMT popped up on our market scanners after a large…
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Hefty Bullish Plays Constructed on Transocean
by Option Review - July 29th, 2010 6:09 pm
Today’s tickers: RIG, AKAM, VPRT, FXI, GMCR, XLP & KR
RIG – Transocean Ltd. – Two massive bullish transactions utilizing nearly 110,000 call options on the provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells indicates at least one big options player is taking a long-term optimistic stance on the stock. RIG’s shares inched up 0.50% this afternoon to trade at $47.00 as of 3:15 pm ET. The nearer-term of the two spreads looks to be a variation on the traditional call butterfly spread because volume at the lower strike price [wing 1] is the same as that used in the body of the butterfly. Typically, a butterfly spread is constructed using a 1X2X1 ratio. The longer-term spread employed in the February 2011 contract looks like a normal butterfly. In this transaction the investor enjoys maximum profits if RIG’s shares surge 38.3% to settle at $65.00 by February expiration day. The transaction involved the purchase of 15,000 calls at the February 2011 $50 strike [wing 1] for an average premium of $5.5250, the sale of 30,000 calls at the February 2011 $65 strike for an average premium of $1.475 [body], and the purchased of 15,000 calls at the higher February 2011 $80 strike for an average premium of $0.425 apiece. The net cost of this transaction amounts to $3.00 per contract. Transocean’s shares must rally 12.8% by February expiration in order for the investor to breakeven on the spread at a share price of $53.00. The investor may accumulate maximum available profits of $12.00 per contract if Transocean’s shares surge 38.3% to $65.00 by expiration day. The spread initiated in the November contract is similar in its bullishness, although differs with respect to the lopsided nature of the wings, time to expiration, and strike price selection. In this trade the investor the purchased 19,500 in-the-money calls at the November $45 strike for an average premium of $6.175, and sold the same number of calls at the higher November $55 strike for an average premium of $2.22 each. The third leg of the trade is half the size, that’s 9,750 calls purchased at the November $65 strike for an average premium of $0.725 apiece. The investor or investors responsible for these transactions are well positioned to benefit handsomely from bullish movement in the price of the underlying shares in the months to come.
AKAM – Akamai Technologies, Inc. –…
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Covered-Call Sellers Make Note of Exits on American Airlines Parent Corp.
by Option Review - March 9th, 2010 4:14 pm
Today’s tickers: AMR, AIG, C, GME, HD, XLP, ALL, CMC, QLGC & YUM
AMR – AMR Corp. – Bullish investors engaged in covered-call selling on AMR Corporation this afternoon after its subsidiary, American Airlines, revealed February passenger unit revenue increased between 6.5% to 7.5% as compared to roughly the same time a year ago. The so-called buy-write strategy took off amid an 11% rally in the price of the underlying stock to $9.93. Options traders sold approximately 16,300 calls at the March $11 strike for an average premium of $0.09 apiece, and simultaneously purchased an equivalent number of AMR-shares when the stock was trading at approximately $9.84 each. The net price paid per AMR-share amounts to $9.75 apiece because of the $0.09 per contract financing provided by the sale of the call options. Investors utilizing the buy-write strategy are positioned to accumulate maximum potential gains of 12.82% if shares rally through $11.00 by expiration day. The covered-calls provide an effective exit strategy for investors, who walk away with 12.82% profits if AMR shares rally to $11.00, and if the underlying shares are called from them at expiration.
AIG – American International Group, Inc. – Insurance firm, American International Group, already reported plans to sell two units for $51 billion, but speculation that it may sell additional assets sparked rampant options trading activity on the stock this afternoon. Shares surged more than 18% to $34.34 at times during afternoon trading. Options investors exchanged more than 224,000 contacts on AIG as of 2:30 pm (ET), and traded more than two call options on the stock for each single put option in play. Two-way trading traffic in out-of-the-money call options is evident, but it looks like – in most cases – more calls are being purchased than sold. The nearest-to-the-money March $35 strike had more than 37,000 calls trade today versus that strike’s previous existing open interest of just 12,297 contracts. More than 12,300 calls were purchased for an average premium of $0.89 apiece. The higher March $40 strike had 12,900 calls picked up by bullish individuals who paid an average $0.25 premium per contract. Finally, the March $45 strike attracted buying interest in the amount of 3,200 calls for an average premium of $0.18 each. More than 7,000 contracts changed hands at the March $45 strike, which trumps existing open interest of just 2,489 lots. It is likely that a large portion…
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MGM Mirage Losses Inspire Downside Plays in Options
by Option Review - February 18th, 2010 4:06 pm
Today’s tickers: MGM, ANF, JPM, XLP, XNPT, HANS & SIRI
MGM – MGM Mirage, Inc. – The Las Vegas Strip’s largest casino owner posted a wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss of $0.25 per share, which underwhelmed analysts anticipating an average loss of just $0.14 a share. Mirage’s shares fell nearly 7% today to $10.85 following the earnings disappointment. One options investor, who does not expect MGM’s luck to change anytime soon, established a medium-term bearish trade on MGM to position for continued downward movement in the price of the underlying stock through June expiration. The trader purchased 2,000 puts at the now in-the-money June $11 strike for a premium of $1.68 apiece, and sold 2,000 puts at the lower June $8 strike for $0.52 each. The net cost of the debit put spread amounts to $1.16 per contract. Maximum available profits of $1.84 per contract accumulate for the pessimistic investor if the casino-operator’s share price slumps another 26.25% lower to $8.00 by expiration day.
ANF – Abercrombie & Fitch Co. – Short straddle plays initiated on clothing company, Abercrombie & Fitch, suggests investors expect ANF-shares to remain range-bound and anticipate lower volatility in the price of the underlying stock through March expiration. Shares of the teen and ‘tween haven for micro-mini jean skirts and pre-destroyed t-shirts rallied 1% to $35.72 today. However, straddle-sellers apparently foresee little movement for shares in either direction from the current value. Investors sold approximately 6,600 puts at the March $35 strike for an average premium of $1.44 apiece in combination with the sale of 6,600 calls at the same strike for $1.46 each. The average gross premium pocketed on the transaction amounts to $2.90 per contract. Traders retain the full premium received today if Abercrombie’s shares settle at $35.00 at expiration. Investors are vulnerable to losses, however, in the event that shares trade outside of the effective breakeven points. Losses accumulate should shares rally above the upper breakeven price of $37.90, or if the stock falls below the lower breakeven point at $32.10, ahead of expiration day in March.
JPM – JPMorgan Chase & Co. – A large-volume ratio call spread enacted on banking institution, JPMorgan Chase, indicates one big options player expects shares of the underlying stock to rally significantly by June expiration. The firm received an upgrade to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ with a 12-month target share price of $49.00 at Sandler O’Neill today as…
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Technology Bull Boosts Optimism
by Option Review - December 10th, 2009 4:32 pm
Today’s tickers: XLK, EEM, XLP, WLP, DTV, AMAT & EEM
XLK – SPDR Technology Select Sector ETF – A massive calendar roll was initiated on the Technology Select Sector exchange-traded fund today. Shares of the ETF, which corresponds to the performance of publicly traded equities of companies in the technology sector, rallied nearly 0.5% to $22.29 during the session. One investor sold roughly 73,900 calls at the now in-the-money December 22 strike for a premium of 41 cents per contract. The trader likely purchased the options for 40-49 cents premium per contract back on September 18, 2009, when shares of the XLK were at $20.87. The closing sale of the original call position today was spread against the purchase of 73,900 fresh calls at the higher January 23 strike for 24 cents each. The calendar roll indicates the investor expects shares of the fund to reach a new 52-week high by expiration in January. Profits amass on the new bullish stance if shares rally above the breakeven price of $23.24.
EEM – iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF – A large-volume put spread traded in the June contract on the emerging markets fund this afternoon. Shares of the ETF stand 0.15% higher to $41.03 as of 1:45 pm (EDT). It looks like investors, who are likely long shares of the underlying, are purchasing long-term downside protection on the EEM. Approximately 49,000 puts were picked up at the June 38 strike for an average premium of 2.95 apiece, and spread against the sale of roughly 43,000 puts at the lower June 28 strike for 65 cents each. Perhaps put spreaders fear emerging markets could encounter a few speed bumps as the global economy continues to fight its way out of recession in 2010. Traders employing the put plays are protected if shares of the fund dip back down through $38.00 by expiration in June.
XLP – Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR – The XLP ticker symbol launched to the top of our ‘most active by options volume’ market scanner today after a huge chunk of call options changed hands. Shares of the fund, which replicates the total return of the Consumer Staples Select Sector of the S&P 500 Index, gained 0.5% during the trading day to $26.90. Approximately 106,000 call options traded at the January 27 strike for an average premium of 32.5 pennies per contract. Open interest of 116,354 contracts at…
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TiVo Implied Volatility Jumps With Share Price Gains
by Option Review - October 23rd, 2009 4:27 pm
Today’s tickers: TIVO, ORCL, MSFT, VLO, BRCM, XLP, AMZN, MSFT & ELN
TIVO – TiVo, Inc. – Shares of the provider of technology and services for digital video recorders are soaring 8.5% higher to stand at the current price of $12.44. Investors expecting continued bullish movement in the price of the underlying purchased call options across multiple contracts. Near-term optimists picked up 6,500 calls at the November 12.5 strike for 86 cents each. Meanwhile, the higher November 15 strike had 1,600 calls coveted for about 25 cents apiece. Other traders looked to the December 12.5 strike where it seems some 5,000 calls were purchased for approximately 95 cents each. Finally, call spreads were transacted in the February 2010 contract. Investors purchased 3,000 calls at the February 12.5 strike for an average premium of 1.41 each, and sold 3,000 calls at the higher February 15 strike for about a dollar apiece. Option implied volatility on TIVO jumped 18% from an opening reading of 62% to an intraday high of 73%.
ORCL – Oracle Corp. – The software company is trading just 65 cents off the 52-week high of $22.90 today with shares up 0.25% to $22.25. Volume of 19,811 calls at the out-of-the-money November 23 strike exceeds existing open interest at that strike of 16,224 lots. The call activity appears to be the work of bullish investors buying approximately 14,500 calls for an average premium of 31 cents apiece. The December contract has also attracted the attention of option bulls. It looks like 9,000 calls were scooped up at the December 24 strike for about 40 cents each. Investors holding these contracts will profit by expiration if shares of ORCL surge 9.5% from the current price to $24.40.
MSFT – Microsoft Corp. – Investors are piling into call options on the world’s largest software maker following first-quarter earnings. The firm exceeded average analyst expectations of 32 per share by posting profits of 40 cents per share for the quarter. Shares of MSFT surged to a new 52-week of $29.20 – a 9.8% increase over the stock’s closing price – at the start of the trading day. Currently shares are slightly lower, though still up 7% to $28.44. Call options are the clear favorite with approximately 45,000 calls purchased at the November 30 strike for an average premium of 35 cents per contract. Approximately 84,400 call options traded hands at that strike…
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Counting the Silver, FedEx Bulls and Industrial Bears
by Option Review - August 25th, 2009 5:08 pm
Today’s tickers: IVN, FDX, XLI, HGSI, FXI, VIP, XLP & NOK
IVN - Shares of the international mineral exploration and development company surged 20% during the trading session to reach an intraday high of $10.66. The Canadian stock was fueled by reports which revealed that changes to Mongolia’s laws will help the company to complete an investment agreement on the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in the near future. One investor, who had positioned himself to profit from a rally in Ivanhoe, was seen banking gains today by selling to close a long call position. It appears he originally purchased some 17,000 calls for an average premium of 90 cents each around July 30, 2009. Today he shed all 17,000 contracts for a premium of 2.05 apiece. The investor has realized approximate gains of 1.15 per contract for a total of $1,955,000. Bullish activity was seen at the March 2010 15 strike price where it looks like investor purchased 5,000 calls for one dollar apiece. Traders long the calls will profit if shares rally another 50% to breach the breakeven price of $16.00 by expiration next year. – Ivanhoe Mines Limited –
FDX - Bullish action on FedEx this afternoon boosted the firm onto our ‘most active by options volume’ market scanner with the stock trading more than 0.5% higher to $68.40. Traders shed 8,500 put options at the October 60 strike price to take in an average premium of 1.03 per contract. The full premium will be retained by these individuals as long as the puts land out-of-the-money at expiration. Investors are happy to accept the 1.03 premium in exchange for bearing the risk that the stock slips lower, and falls beneath the breakeven point to the downside at $58.97. Losses begin to accumulate for traders if FedEx trades at a price lower than the breakeven point by expiration in October. We note that the stock has remained above $60.00 since July 16, 2009. – FedEx Corp. –
XLI - The industrials exchange-traded fund has risen less than 1% to stand at $25.50. One investor took hold of a large chunk of put options on the XLI by purchasing 40,000 puts at the September 24 strike price for 25 cents apiece. This trader may be bearish, in which case he aims to amass profits to the downside if the XLI declines beneath $23.75 by expiration next month. Alternatively, the investor may have purchased…
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Whirlpool Call Buyers in a Spin Over New Chinese Factory
by Option Review - July 16th, 2009 5:49 pm
Today’s tickers: WHR, MRK, EBAY, RHI, XLP, MOS, GE, LSI & MGM
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Bears in the Butterfly Garden
by Option Review - July 8th, 2009 5:05 pm
Today’s tickers: MS, EXPE, FCX, VIX, XRT, GPS, XLP & WFC
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Bullish Vibes Radiate From Energy Fund
by Option Review - July 1st, 2009 4:16 pm
Today’s tickers: XLE, USU, XLP, MYGN, NYX & ELN
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Philip R. Davis is a founder Phil's Stock World, a stock and options trading site that teaches the art of options trading to newcomers and devises advanced strategies for expert traders...
Ilene is editor and affiliate program
coordinator for PSW.