Financial option volumes picked up ahead of tonight’s stress test results:
- MS – Large buyer of the weekly 22.5 puts throughout the day, with a total of around 75k trading on the day at an average price of 0.13. Stock at 23.28 in after-market at 7:15 pm EST after its capital plan was approved by the Fed.
- BAC – The weekly 12 calls, weekly 12 puts, and weekly 12.5 calls all traded more than 25k. Stock trading at 12.47 in the after-market after announcing a $5B buyback, though no dividend increase from 0.01 (but buyback larger than expected div increase).
- ETFC – Good timing yesterday from trader who bought back 20k of Jan15 7 puts to close (#7 in TMO yesterday). Citadel announced that it was selling the balance of its stake, sending the stock down 8% today. 30k of the Jan15 10/17 call spreads traded at 1.93 to close.
- RAD – Rite-Aid Apr 2 calls were active. One large buyer this morning, bought 25k for an average price of 0.134. Stock reports Apr. 11th, and hasn’t remained above 2 for more than a week since 2008.
- SD – Weekly 6 puts trade 28k at average price of 0.38, mostly buying this morning, likely to close based on large open interest.
- BBRY – Stock pulled back after yesterday’s +8% move. Call to put ratio has been around 2 both days. The weekly 15 and 16 calls both traded over 20k today.
- QIHU – Sept 25 puts trade almost 12k, at avg. price of 2.31, buying to open this morning as the stock moved to negative on the year (2012 closing level is 29.69)
- KKD – Krispy Kreme up more than 100% in the past 6 months. Options active (10x average, though average only around 850), earnings after bell. The busiest line has been the Apr 13 puts. IV 30 is up 7.5 points. Stock down 5% after hours on earnings.
- RVBD – The Apr/May 15 call spread was bought opening just under 5000 times. The trade moved IV30 7 points lower. Last year’s earnings were Apr 19th but should be May expiry this year.
- AAPL – Call to put ratio a bit lower today, down to 1.35. Weekly 435 calls and weekly 430 puts both trade over 30k. No strong pin strikes for tomorrow based solely on open interest.