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Options Intelligence Report: Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANDS), iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund (FXI) & GameStop Corp. (GME)

Anadys Pharm-Bull Eyes Upside, Buys Call Spread

ANDS – Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Biotechnology firm, Anadys Pharmaceuticals, enticed a long-term bullish investor to shell out option premium in order to establish a debit call spread in the September contract. ANDS-shares are trading 0.45% higher on the day to $2.19 as of 2:25 pm (ET). The optimistic options player purchased 3,000 calls at the September $2.5 strike for a premium of $0.55 apiece, marked against the sale of 3,000 calls at the higher September $5.0 strike for $0.15 each. The net cost of the call spread amounts to $0.30 per contract.

The transaction positions the trader to accrue maximum potential profits of $2.20 per contract should shares of the underlying stock surge 128.3% over the current price to $5.00 by expiration day in September. Shares must rally at least 27.85% in order for the investor to break even on the trade at a share price of $2.80 each.

 


FXI – iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund
The China exchange-traded fund, which corresponds to the price and yield performance of an underlying index invested in 25 of the largest and most liquid Chinese companies, realized a 0.95% decline in the price of its underlying shares to $41.13 this afternoon. Investors touting long-term pessimistic outlooks on the fund purchased put options in the January 2011 contract.

It appears some 25,500 put options were picked up at the January 2011 $35 strike for an average premium of $2.50 apiece. Put-purchasers could be seeking downside protection on long underlying share positions. On the other hand, the contracts may have been purchased outright by extremely bearish individuals anticipating a 21% decline in shares of the FXI to $32.50 ahead of expiration. Investors in this case reel in profits should the price of the underlying fund trade below $32.50 in the next nine months to expiration day in January.

 

GME – GameStop Corp.
Shares of the largest retailer of video games jumped more than 5.10% during the trading session to $19.22 due to speculation the firm may be acquired. Despite the current rally in GameStop’s shares to $19.22 today, the stock still stands 41.45% below its 52-week high of $32.82 attained back on April 13, 2009.

Investors taken-in by the takeover rumors purchased approximately 10,300 calls at the March $20 strike for an average premium of $0.47 per contract. The call options ready these traders to enjoy profits should shares continue to increase ahead of March expiration next week. Shares must add 6.50% to their current value in order for call-buyers to begin to amass profits above the breakeven price of $20.47.

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