Checking in with a Former Meme Stock Before Earnings

Core Viewpoint - AMC Entertainment is preparing for its second-quarter earnings report, with expectations of a loss and increased revenue compared to the previous year [1] Group 1: Earnings Expectations - Wall Street anticipates a loss of four cents per share on revenue of $1.35 billion, indicating a significant increase from the same quarter last year [1] Group 2: Stock Performance History - AMC Entertainment stock has a poor post-earnings history, with only one out of the last eight earnings reports resulting in a higher closing price the next day, which was a mere 0.2% increase in August 2024 [2] - The options market is pricing in a 9.2% move for the stock, which is larger than the average 4.9% swing over the past two years [2] Group 3: Current Stock Status - The stock is currently trading flat at $2.78, having finished 10 of the last 11 sessions lower, with a notable support level at $2.79 [3] - There is overhead pressure at the 320-day moving average, which may limit short-term gains, particularly around the $4 level [3] Group 4: Technical Indicators - The 14-day relative strength index (RSI) for AMC is at 13.4, indicating it is in "oversold" territory, suggesting a potential short-term bounce [4] - Year-to-date, the stock has declined by 30% [4] Group 5: Options Trading Activity - Options traders are predominantly buying calls, with 57,132 calls purchased compared to 7,224 puts in the past two weeks, indicating bullish sentiment despite the stock's struggles [5] - Short interest accounts for 15% of the stock's total available float, suggesting some call purchases may be hedging against short positions [5]