Midday Unusual Options Activity Update - ETFC, HGSI, AKAM, AGO, HD, VMC, BAC, UNH, XLU, HOT, LDK, SWN
Implied Volatility Movers
Etrade (ETFC) implied volatility is moving. The stock has seen three days of increasing call volume and the trend continues Thursday. 48,000 contracts traded total and call activity represents 95 percent of the volume. The demand for premium is sending implied volatility up to 152, from about 142 the day before.
Implied volatility is also higher in Human Genome Sciences (HGSI), Akamai (AKAM), and Assured Guranty (AGO). Implied volatility is lower in Home Depot (HD), Vulcan Materials (VMC), and Bank of America (BAC).
Unusual Volume Movers
United Healthcare (UNH) options volume is running 3X the usual. 62,000 contracts traded and put volume accounting for 61 percent of today's volume.
Options activity in Select Sector Utilities (XLU) rose to 3X the usual, with 53,000 traded and put volume representing about 82 percent of the activity.
Etrade (ETFC) options activity is running 3X the usual. 48,000 contracts traded and call volume accounting for 95 percent of the activity.
Increasing volume was also seen in Starwood Hotels (HOT), LDK Solar (LDK), and Southwest Energy (SWN).
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About Frederic Ruffy
Frederic Ruffy is a Freelance Writer and Options Trading Strategist. In addition to writing market commentary and trading-related books and articles, Fred has also worked as an instructor, educating investors on advanced topics like measuring volatility, the benefits of sector rotation and the risks and potential profits from trading around earnings. His market observations are mentioned frequently in the financial press and he currently trades stocks, futures, and options in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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