Unusual Options Activity

Shipping giant
Nordic American Tankers (NAT) is up 32 percent over the past year, beating the S&P 500’s returns by about 50 percent. One trader sees shares continuing higher in the next few months. That’s based on the February 16, 2024 $5.00 calls. With 57 days until expiration, 9,866 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 144, for a 68-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.23 to make the bullish bet. Nordic American recently ...
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PBF Energy (PBF), a refiner and supplier of petroleum products such as jet fuel, is up 15 percent over the past year. One trader sees shares moving higher in the first quarter of 2024. That’s based on the April 19 $55 calls. With 121 days until expiration, 7,379 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 113, for a 65-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $1.36 to make the bullish bet. PBF shares recently ...
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Cryptocurrency mining company
Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) is having a strong year, with shares up 360 percent. One trader is betting on a move higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 12 $14 calls. With 24 days until expiration, 4,039 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 153, for a 26-fold rise in volume on the options trade. The buyer of the calls paid $4.80 to make the bullish bet. Marathon shares recently traded just over $18, meaning ...
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Regional bank
Valley National Bancorp (VLY) is near 52-week highs and nearly double off its lows from the spring. One trader sees the bank moving even higher in the coming months. That’s based on the March 2024 $12 calls. With 88 days until expiration, 7,589 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 149, for a 51-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.50 to make the bullish bet. Shares last traded just over $11, so ...
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Uranium producer
Cameco (CCJ) has been steadily trending higher all year, with shares up 107 percent over the past 12 months. One trader is betting on a final rally to end the year. That’s based on the December 29 $52 calls. With 14 days until expiration, 20,146 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 136, for a 78-fold jump in volume on the option trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.15. Cameco recently traded for about $45.50, so shares would ...
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Regional air carrier
JetBlue Airways (JBLU) has lost 25 percent of its value over the past year, as the company has been working on a massive acquisition. One trader sees shares floundering in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the December 29 $5.50 puts. With 15 days until expiration, 15,271 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 141, for a 108-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.30 to make the bearish bet. JetBlue recently ...
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Drug manufacturer
Pfizer (PFE) has lost 44 percent over the past year, as the company has struggled in the current market for new drugs. One trader sees the trend continuing in the weeks ahead. That’s based on the January 5, 2024 $27 put. With 23 days until expiration, 9,076 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 209, for a 43-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.15 to make the bearish bet. Pfizer shares recently ...
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Medical device manufacturer
Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) is up 19 percent over the past year, and shares trade near a 52-week high. One trader sees the stock moving even higher in the coming weeks. That’s based on the January 5, 2024 $58 calls. With 24 days until expiration, 3,351 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 116, for a 29-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $0.19 to make the bullish bet. Boston Scientific shares ...
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