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Options
Big Hedge Detected in High Flying Sector

Big Hedge Detected in High Flying Sector

Regional banks are one of the strongest groups this year, and now a big investor seems to be hedging a large position. Check out the options activity in the SPDR S&P Regional Bank ETF (KRE) yesterday: A block of 39,265 April 51 puts was bought for $1.16. An equal...

Options Recap: Can a Megabank Keep Running?

Options Recap: Can a Megabank Keep Running?

Bank of America (BAC) had a monster rally this week, and options traders are looking for the lender to keep running higher. Here's a breakdown of a big transaction detected late yesterday morning in BAC: A block of 23,000 March 26 calls was sold for $2.80 and an equal...

Big Trade Sees Bottom in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Big Trade Sees Bottom in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Energy stocks are bouncing from long-term lows this year, and one big investor has called a bottom in a key servicing name. Schlumberger (SLB) touched a 13-year low under $35 last month. Today, a large block of puts got sold at that level as a trader looked for the...

Bulls See More Bounce in Energy Space: Options Recap

Bulls See More Bounce in Energy Space: Options Recap

Energy stocks have gone from bad to good in the New Year, and one options trader is looking for the bounce to continue. Check out the activity yesterday in Oklahoma City-based driller Devon Energy (DVN): A block of 20,000 April 28 calls was bought for $1.48 in a new...

Hedging With Puts Amid Market Volatility

Hedging With Puts Amid Market Volatility

Stocks just finished their most tumultuous period in years. If there was ever a time for hedging with options, this was it! After all, volatility can be a big pain for investors. You do your research to identify promising companies or exchange-traded funds (ETFs)....

Bearishness Reigns in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Bearishness Reigns in Energy Giant: Options Recap

Energy's the weakest sector over the long run, and options traders are sticking with that trend. Check out this giant bearish trade in oil-field servicing company Halliburton (HAL): A block of 58,000 22-February 27.50 puts was bought for $1.45. A block of 58,000...

Bulls Target Coca Cola and Silver Options

Bulls Target Coca Cola and Silver Options

What do a soft-drink giant and a precious metal fund have in common? They both have bullish options trades today, that's what. Let's start with Coca-Cola (KO). The soda maker is one of the few members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average with a gain so far this year or...

Bears Keep the Pressure on Struggling Blue Chip

Bears Keep the Pressure on Struggling Blue Chip

Options traders are sticking with one of the most consistent trends in the last two years. They're betting against a stock that once ruled the roost in global markets. General Electric (GE), once the world's most valuable company, has lost more than half its value...

Put Volume Swells in Junk Bond Fund

Put Volume Swells in Junk Bond Fund

Options traders seem to be bracing for downside in junk bonds as negativity sweeps financial markets. The iShares High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is having its worst month in over three years as investors shun leveraged companies. The largest options trade so far...