IB Options Brief: Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT)

Posted May 17th, 2012 by Caitlin Duffy in Unusual Activity

Bulls And Bears Take To CAT Options As Shares Extend Pullback

CAT ñ Caterpillar, Inc.
Shares in machinery maker, Caterpillar, Inc., are down the most in the Dow Jones Industrial Average today, trading more than 4.0% lower this afternoon at $88.08 as of 12:15 p.m. in New York. The stock has fallen roughly 25.0% in the past two months after reaching a record high of $116.95 at the end of February. June expiry options trades initiated on CAT this morning suggest there are some strategists preparing for a recovery in the price of the underlying while others position for further bearish movement in the stock through expiration next month.

A 1,500-lot June $80/$87.5 debit put spread established at a net cost of $2.20 per contract makes money if shares in Caterpillar decline another 3.2% to trade below the effective breakeven price of $85.30 by June expiration. Maximum possible gains available on the spread amount to $5.30 per contract should the stock plunge 9.2% to $80.00 in the next four weeks.

In contrast, June $92.5/$100 call spreads established for a net premium outlay of around $1.55 each look for shares in Caterpillar to rebound sharply come expiration day. Finally, nearer term plays in the fresh weekly options issued on the stock were largely bearish in the first half of the session, with traders buying puts at the May 25 í12 $80, $82.5 and $85 strikes that increase in value if CATís shares extend losses next week.

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