Moderately bullish activity in Richtech Robotics Inc (RR), with shares down 4c near $2.58. Options volume relatively light with 1261 contracts traded and calls leading puts for a put/call ratio of 0.22, compared to a typical level near 0.35. Implied volatility (IV30) is higher by 1.0 points near 106.89,in the lowest 10% of observations over the past year, suggesting an expected daily move of $0.17. Put-call skew flattened, suggesting a modestly bullish tone. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate sourc ...

With options expiration now behind us, markets could face their own storm. Roughly $15 billion in T-bill settlements are due on February 24, followed by another $22 billion on February 26. In addition, coupon settlements of $37 billion on February 27 and $59 billion on March 2 are scheduled. That totals approximately $130 billion that could be absorbed by the Treasury over the next week. Net Settlement On top of that, cross-currency basis spreads have moved modestly this past week. I tend to view the JPY 5- ...

Adobe (ADBE) hasn’t exactly impressed investors with its performance in the new year, with ADBE stock dubiously earning the label of 100% Strong Sell by the Barchart Technical Opinion indicator. Such ignominy isn’t terribly surprising, with the security losing over 26% of value on a year-to-date basis. Over the past 52 weeks, it’s down nearly 42%. Adding to the pressure, a recent read from the options flow screener will likely not soothe frayed nerves. A representation focused purely on big block transac ...

Core Viewpoint - Investors in First Foundation Inc. (FFWM) should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the April 17, 2026 $2.5 Call, which has shown high implied volatility [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectations for future price movements, with high levels suggesting potential significant price changes or upcoming events that could lead to a rally or sell-off [2] - The current high implied volatility for First Foundation shares suggests that options traders anticipate a substantial price movement [3] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - First Foundation is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) within the Banks – Southwest industry, which is in the top 14% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has decreased from 2 cents per share to 1 cent per share, indicating a negative trend in earnings expectations [3] Group 3: Trading Strategies - The high implied volatility may indicate a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on options with such volatility to benefit from time decay [4] - Seasoned traders typically hope that the underlying stock does not move as much as initially expected by expiration, allowing them to profit from the options strategy [4]

Core Viewpoint - Investors should closely monitor Amkor Technology, Inc. (AMKR) due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the March 20, 2026 $3 Call which has high implied volatility [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future price movements, with high levels suggesting anticipation of a significant price change or an upcoming event that could lead to a rally or sell-off [2] - High implied volatility in options can attract traders looking to sell premium, as they aim to benefit from the decay of options value if the stock does not move as much as expected [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Amkor currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) in the Electronics – Semiconductors industry, which is in the top 36% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, two analysts have raised their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one has lowered them, resulting in a net increase of the Zacks Consensus Estimate from 19 cents per share to 23 cents [3]

Core Viewpoint - Hims and Hers Health (HIMS) shares have experienced a decline, with current trading at approximately $16.86, down 38 cents from previous levels [1] Options Market Sentiment - Options volume for HIMS is consistent with average levels, with 62,000 contracts traded, indicating a put/call ratio of 0.62, slightly above the typical level of 0.59 [1] - Implied volatility (IV30) has decreased by 4.55, now at 115.45, which is in the top quartile of the past year, suggesting an expected daily price movement of $1.23 [1] - The put-call skew has flattened, indicating a modestly bullish sentiment in the options market [1] Earnings Outlook - Hims and Hers Health is scheduled to report earnings after the market closes on February 23, 2026 [1] - The options market is pricing in a 50% probability of a price movement greater than -5.03%, equating to a potential decline of $0.85 [1]

Core Viewpoint - Selling put options before a company's earnings announcement can be a valid strategy for options traders seeking to capitalize on higher than normal volatility [1] Group 1: Strategy Overview - Traders may consider selling a put option for Occidental Petroleum (OXY) due to elevated implied volatility before the earnings announcement [2] - A cash-secured put involves writing an at-the-money or out-of-the-money put option while setting aside enough cash to buy the stock [3] - Selling put options is an accessible strategy for investors, similar to a covered call, and is easy to understand once the basics are known [4] Group 2: Potential Benefits - Selling put options allows traders to collect premium income upfront, and if the options expire worthless, the seller keeps the entire premium as profit [5] - The premium received can lower the breakeven point for the trade, allowing for profit even if the stock price drops but remains above the breakeven point [5] - Traders who are bullish or neutral on OXY can benefit from increased volatility leading up to the earnings report [5] Group 3: Market Dynamics - After the earnings announcement, implied volatility tends to drop significantly, which reduces option premiums [6] - By selling options before the announcement, traders can take advantage of the anticipated drop in implied volatility [6]

Core Insights - Bitcoin's volatility index (BVIV) has surged to its highest level since the FTX collapse, indicating significant market panic as prices fell to nearly $60,000 [1][3] - The BVIV, akin to the Cboe's VIX for traditional markets, reflects heightened implied volatility during periods of market distress [2] Market Reaction - A wave of panic has swept through crypto markets, with Bitcoin's 30-day implied volatility rising from just over 40% to 95% in a few days, levels not seen since late 2022 [3] - Traders have shown increased demand for options, particularly put options, as Bitcoin's price dropped from $70,000 to nearly $60,000, indicating a protective stance against further declines [5] Volatility Dynamics - The volatility markets reacted sharply to the recent price drop, with front-end volatility surging as dealers adjusted for near-term risks, while longer-dated volatility remained lower, resulting in a steeply inverted volatility curve [6] - There is a significant demand for downside protection among institutional clients, as fears grow that the price crash could lead to substantial losses for firms that purchased Bitcoin at higher levels [7]

Core Viewpoint - Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) is experiencing mixed sentiment in options trading, with shares slightly down and a notable put/call ratio indicating a preference for calls over puts [1] Options Trading Summary - Shares of Opendoor Technologies are trading near $5.05, down by $0.10 [1] - Options volume is relatively light, with 68,000 contracts traded, leading to a put/call ratio of 0.28, which is slightly above the typical level of 0.26 [1] - Implied volatility (IV30) has decreased by 2.78, now at 92.57, placing it in the bottom quartile of the past year, suggesting an expected daily price movement of $0.29 [1] - The put-call skew has steepened, indicating an increased demand for downside protection [1] Earnings Outlook - Opendoor Technologies is scheduled to report earnings after the market closes, with options markets pricing in a 50% probability of a price movement greater than 0.0% or $0.00 [1]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in CSW Industrials, Inc. should closely monitor the stock due to significant implied volatility in the options market, particularly for the Apr 17, 2026 $200.00 Call option [1] Company Analysis - CSW Industrials holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) within the Chemical - Specialty Industry, which is positioned in the Bottom 25% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, there have been no upward or downward revisions in analyst estimates for the current quarter, resulting in a decrease of the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $2.78 per share to $2.64 per share [3] Options Market Insights - The high implied volatility suggests that options traders anticipate a significant price movement for CSW Industrials shares, indicating potential trading opportunities [4] - Seasoned options traders often seek high implied volatility options to sell premium, aiming to benefit from the decay of options value if the underlying stock does not move as expected [4]