Midday Unusual Options Activity Update - AAPL, PFE, CAT, UTX, CECO, CCJ, EWZ, BSX, STT, VMED, USB
Implied Volatility Movers
Apple Computer (AAPL) implied volatility is sliding after the company reported a 47 percent increase in profits on strong iPhone sales. Shares gained 5 percent to $199.50 and average implied volatility in AAPL fell from 36.5 to 26.5, a new 52-week low.
Implied volatility is also lower in Pfizer (PFE), Caterpillar (CAT), and United Technology (UTX). Meanwhile, implied volatility is higher in Career Education (CECO), Cameco (CCJ), and the iShares Brazil Fund (EWZ).
Unusual Volume
Apple Computer (AAPL) options volume is running 2X the usual. 411,000 contracts traded and call volume accounts for 57 percent of today's volume.
Options activity in Pfizer (PFE) rose to 2X the usual, with 199,000 traded and call volume representing about 65 percent of the activity.
Boston Scientific (BSX) options activity is running 7X the usual. 51,000 contracts traded and call volume accounting for about 65 percent of the activity.
Increasing volume was also seen in State Street (STT), Virgin Media (VMED), and USB.
--------------------
Disclaimers
This article is provided for informational purposes only. No statementin this article should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sella security or to provide investment advice. The content provided hasbeen obtained from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed as toaccuracy and completeness. optionsXpress makes every effort to providetimely information to its recipients but cannot guarantee specificdelivery times due to factors beyond our control.
Futures involve substantial risk and are not appropriate for all investors. Please read the "Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options" prior to investing in futures or options.
For investments using a straddle or strangle options strategy thepotential loss is unlimited. Multi-leg option strategies are subject tomultiple commissions. Profits may be eroded by the commission expendedto open and close the positions and other risks apply.
"
About Joseph Cusick
Joseph Cusick currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Education and a Senior Market Analyst for optionsXpress. Mr. Cusick seeks out common sense and technologically scalable educational pathways for self-directed investors of all experience levels. He is largely responsible for ramping up delivery of online and offline seminars to customers and potential clients worldwide. Prior to serving in his current role, Mr. Cusick immersed himself in the broker side of optionsXpress by managing his own book of business. Prior to joining optionsXpress, Mr. Cusick served as a market maker and portfolio manager at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. Joseph is a graduate of Marquette University and holds his Series 4, 7 and 63 registrations with FINRA.
View Joseph Cusick's post archive >
