Midday Unusual Options Activity Update: .VIX, ANF, ZNGA, JNPR, DE, DVN, WTW
Implied Volatility Mover
CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 1.75 to 21.29 amid concerns about the European debt crisis. Greece is inching along in negotiations with creditors, but no decisive deal has been reached ahead of a March deadline to avoid a debt default. The uncertainty seems to be keeping a bid under the volatility index. Meanwhile, VIX February options expired today and the settlement is 20.44. Upside 30, 35 and 55 calls had the largest open interest positions in the index ahead of the expiration. All three contracts expired worthless. March 24, 29 and 35 calls are the most actives in the index today, as some investors are likely opening new positions in March after February call options had expired.
Volume Signals
Abercrombie (ANF) options volume is running 3.5X the (22-day) average, with 68,000 contracts traded and call activity accounting for 59 percent of the volume.
Zynga (ZNGA) options volume is 3X the daily average, with 116,000 contracts traded and put volume representing 55 percent of the activity.
Juniper Networks (JNPR) options volume is running 2X the average daily, with 62,000 contracts traded and call volume representing 81 percent of the total volume.
Increasing options activity is also being seen in Deere (DE), Devon Energy (DVN), and Weight Watchers (WTW).
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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.
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