IB Options Brief: Eli Lilly Co. (LLY)

Posted October 9th, 2012 by Caitlin Duffy in Unusual Activity

LLY – Eli Lilly Co.

Shares in Eli Lilly, currently up better than 3.5% at $52.60, are rallying for a second consecutive day on encouraging results from a study of the drug maker’s experimental Alzheimer’s treatment. The stock is trading at the highest level since April 2008, and it looks like some options traders are positioning for shares in the name to extend gains, potentially taking out those five-year highs, by the start of the New Year.

Bullish strategists looked to the Jan. 2013 expiry options, exchanging nearly 5,000 calls at the $52.5 strike by 11:40 a.m. ET, versus previously existing open interest of 500 contracts. Traders appear to have purchased most of the $52.5 call options for an average premium of $1.55 apiece this morning and may profit at expiration next year in the event that LLY shares exceed the average breakeven price of $54.05.

Call buyers took to the Jan. 2013 $55 and $60 strike calls, as well. The $60 strike call has changed hands more than 1,500 times this morning against open interest of 340 contracts, with most of the volume purchased at an average premium of $0.10 each. Traders long the $60 calls make money in the event that Lilly’s shares surge 14% over the current price of $52.60 to top $60.10 by expiration in January. Eli Lilly’s third-quarter earnings report is just around the corner, scheduled for release on October 24th prior to the opening bell.

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