Core Viewpoint - Investors in HBT Financial, Inc. should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Nov 21, 2025 $17.50 Put option [1] Company Analysis - HBT Financial is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) within the Banks - Northeast industry, which ranks in the top 14% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, one analyst has raised the earnings estimates for the current quarter, resulting in an increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from earnings of 62 cents per share to 64 cents [3] Options Market Insights - The high implied volatility surrounding HBT Financial suggests that options traders are anticipating a significant price movement, which could indicate an upcoming event that may lead to a substantial rally or sell-off [2][4] - Seasoned options traders often seek out options with high implied volatility to sell premium, aiming to benefit from the decay of the option's value as expiration approaches [4]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in Pegasystems Inc. (PEGA) should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Dec. 19, 2025 $22.50 Put option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future stock movement, with high levels suggesting anticipation of a significant price change or an upcoming event that could trigger a rally or sell-off [2] - The current high implied volatility for Pegasystems options may signal a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on such options to capture decay [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Pegasystems holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) in the Computer – Software industry, which is in the top 37% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, there has been mixed analyst sentiment, with one analyst increasing earnings estimates for the current quarter while two have decreased theirs, resulting in a slight increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from 73 cents to 74 cents per share [3]

Core Viewpoint - The discussion focuses on bullish options strategies for a stock priced over $750, with an emphasis on the upcoming earnings report and the implications of capital expenditure (capex) and AI monetization [2][12]. Group 1: Options Strategies - The first strategy involves buying a 750 strike call in the November 7th weekly options, taking advantage of higher implied volatility [3]. - A short put vertical strategy is also presented, which involves selling a 720 put and buying a 700 put, aiming for a neutral to bullish position with a potential profit of approximately $500 per spread and a risk of $1,500 [4][5]. - The break-even point for the short put vertical is set at $715, which is about 5% below the current share price, with a 68% probability that the short 720 strike will be out of the money at expiration [6][7]. Group 2: Bullish Call Diagonal - A more aggressive strategy is introduced with a bullish call diagonal, involving buying a 750 strike call and selling an 800 strike call, with a risk of approximately $2,200 per spread [8][10]. - Profitability for the bullish call diagonal begins above $760, with the maximum profit occurring near the 800 strike [9][10]. - The strategy benefits from a disparity in implied volatility, as the 750 call has a 58% implied volatility while the 800 call has nearly 100%, which lowers the entry point for this aggressive position [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - Investors should closely monitor Choice Hotels International, Inc. (CHH) stock due to significant implied volatility in the options market, particularly for the Dec. 19, 2025 $140 Call option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future stock movement, with high levels suggesting anticipation of a significant price change or an upcoming event that could trigger a rally or sell-off [2] - The current high implied volatility for Choice Hotels International options may signal a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on such options to capture decay [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Choice Hotels International holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) within the Hotels and Motels industry, which is positioned in the bottom 25% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, there has been a mixed revision in earnings estimates, with one analyst increasing the estimate for the current quarter while three have decreased theirs, resulting in a slight decline in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $2.21 to $2.19 per share [3]

It's important that anyone selling puts understands that they may be assigned 100 shares at the strike price. For Apple stock, a trader selling the Oct. 31 put with a strike price of 260 will generate around $190 in premium per contract. The put has a delta of 24, which means there is an estimated 76% chance that it will expire worthless. BREAKING: Stocks Rumble Higher As PayPal, UnitedHealth Rally Apple (AAPL) stock is set to report earnings on Thursday after the closing bell and the options market is pric ...

Market Overview - The market is currently experiencing all-time highs, described as an "unendable beast" that continues to rise despite concerns about buying at high levels [2][3] - There is a sentiment of waiting for an intermediate pullback before making significant trades [3] Company Analysis: Super Micro (SMCI) - Super Micro has seen a performance increase of over 40% in the last six months, but recently lowered its guidance for the first quarter, causing concern among investors [5] - The strategy involves buying implied volatility leading up to earnings on January 14 and selling before the earnings announcement [6] - Technical analysis indicates a bullish setup with the stock making higher highs and higher lows, currently in a cup and handle pattern [9][10] - Key resistance is at $62.50, with support around the 200-day moving average at approximately $42-$43 [12][13] Company Analysis: Astera Labs - Astera Labs is down about 0.5% following a downgrade from Barclays to equal weight, with a price target unchanged [14] - The focus is on a call spread to the upside going into earnings on January 14, targeting a breakout above the 50-day simple moving average [15] - The stock is currently trading around $169, approximately 12.5% below the $190 level where bullish options activity has been noted [21] Company Analysis: Reddit - Reddit's earnings are expected to be significant, with a call calendar strategy being employed due to the disparity in implied volatility [22][23] - Historical performance shows that Reddit's stock has risen in four out of six earnings reports since its IPO [24] - Technical analysis reveals an expanding megaphone pattern, with potential resistance around the $250 mark and support near the 200-day moving average [27][30]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH) should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Feb 20, 2026 $35 Call option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future price movement, with high levels suggesting a potential significant price change or an upcoming event that could lead to a rally or sell-off [2] - The current high implied volatility for Commerce Bancshares may signal a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on such options to capture decay [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Commerce Bancshares currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) within the Banks – Midwest industry, which is in the top 35% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 30 days, one analyst has raised the earnings estimate for the current quarter, while four analysts have lowered their estimates, resulting in a decrease of the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $1.07 to $1.05 per share [3]

Core Insights - Investors in HCI Group, Inc. should monitor stock movements due to significant implied volatility in the options market, particularly the Nov 21, 2025 $90.00 Put option [1] Company Overview - HCI Group is currently rated as Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) in the Insurance - Property and Casualty Industry, which is in the top 14% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the last 60 days, one analyst has raised the earnings estimate for the current quarter from $1.64 per share to $2.35 per share, with no downward revisions [3] Market Sentiment - The high implied volatility suggests that options traders anticipate a significant price movement for HCI Group shares, indicating potential upcoming events that could lead to a rally or sell-off [2][4] - Options traders often seek high implied volatility options to sell premium, aiming to benefit from the decay of options value if the stock does not move as expected [4]

Core Insights - Investors in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) should monitor stock movements due to significant activity in the options market, particularly the Nov 21, 2025 $155.00 Put, which has high implied volatility [1] Company Overview - Rockwell Automation is currently rated as Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) within the Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry, which is in the top 22% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has increased from $2.91 per share to $2.94 over the last 60 days [3] Options Market Analysis - The high implied volatility suggests that options traders are anticipating a significant price movement for Rockwell Automation shares, potentially due to an upcoming event [2][4] - Options traders often seek high implied volatility options to sell premium, aiming for the underlying stock to not move as much as expected by expiration [4]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in International Seaways, Inc. (INSW) should closely monitor the stock due to significant implied volatility in the options market, particularly for the Dec 19, 2025 $17.50 Put option [1] Company Analysis - International Seaways is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) within the Transportation – Shipping industry, which is in the top 33% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 30 days, two analysts have raised their earnings estimates for the current quarter, resulting in an increase of the Zacks Consensus Estimate from 65 cents per share to 91 cents per share [3] Options Market Insights - The high implied volatility suggests that options traders are anticipating a significant price movement for International Seaways shares, potentially indicating an upcoming event that could lead to a major price change [2][4] - Seasoned options traders often seek to sell premium on options with high implied volatility, aiming to benefit from the decay of the option's value if the underlying stock does not move as much as expected [4]