Stock volumes were near 1 month lows, and options were no exception. Here are some notable names in options today:
- VIX – Interesting that VIX stayed green the whole day, even as market rallied in the afternoon. Biggest print was a buyer of 35k of the Nov 20 / 30 call spreads this morning, paying $0.78
- BAC – This was the most active single stock name, with the Nov 10 calls the most active. 1 month implied vol jumped 3 points, as buyers were dominant
- YHOO – The Jan13 20 calls traded more than 20k, after a buyer in the morning bought 12,500. The stock’s 3 year highs are around 19.50, which was a sharp rejection area in mid-2010 and mid-2011
- AAPL – AAPL’s first +1% or more day in 2 weeks brought back the weekly call buyers. The weekly 600 and 585 calls were the most traded lines
- C – Customer bought 15,750 of the Jan13 36 calls paying 1.79 at 3:19 pm, protecting some of the stock’s gains after its 35% run in the past 3 months
- GNRC – This generator provider is up more than 50% in the past 2 weeks, one of the few beneficiaries of devastating Sandy. Stock was up 12%, and options traded more than 30x normal volume, with the Dec 40 and 35 calls the most active.
- EBIX – Stock down 14% after a midday announcement that the company was the subject of a SEC accounting probe. Options traded almost 20x normal volume, with the Nov and Dec 15 puts the most active
- LMT – The Jan13 85 puts traded more than 13k, with the largest print coming from what looks like a buyer of 7,605 at 1.00 late in the afternoon. Breakeven on that trade is a 11% move lower in the next 2 months.
- CVS – Stock reports earnings tomorrow morning. Someone traded the Nov 46 / 47 risk reversal this morning, selling the 46 put, buying the 47 call, paying 0.12 for 5k.
- WTW – Weight Watchers traded 5x normal volume ahead of its earnings report tonight. Stock trading up about 8% after hours. Nov 47.5 and Nov 42.5 puts were most active