Schaeffers Investment Research·2025-06-17 13:53Core Viewpoint - Verve Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:VERV) has seen a significant stock increase of 75.3% to $10.99 following the announcement that Eli Lilly (LLY) will acquire the company for $10.50 per share, totaling approximately $1.3 billion, enhancing Eli Lilly's position in gene editing [1]. Group 1 - VERV is trading at its highest level since April 2024, with an 11.2% year-to-date gain, supported by the $6 region and the 100-day moving average, which were previously resistance levels earlier this year [2]. - Short interest in VERV has increased by 7.2%, now representing 23.5% of the total available float, indicating a significant bearish sentiment among investors [3]. - At the current average daily trading pace, it would take shorts nearly six days to cover their positions, suggesting a potential for volatility in the stock [3]. Group 2 - Options trading activity has been notably bullish, with a put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.10, placing it in the 5th percentile of annual readings, indicating strong bullish sentiment among short-term options traders [3]. - Today's options activity shows 11,000 puts and 7,164 calls traded, which is 267 times the typical volume, highlighting heightened interest in the stock [4]. - The most active options contract is the November 10 put, where new positions are being opened, suggesting strategic positioning by traders [4].