Group 1 - Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH) is experiencing significant activity in the options market, particularly with the Dec 19, 2025 $1.00 Call showing high implied volatility, indicating potential for a major price movement [1] - Implied volatility reflects market expectations for future stock movement, suggesting that investors anticipate a significant event that could lead to a substantial rally or sell-off [2] - Currently, Community Health Systems holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) in the Medical - Hospital industry, which is in the top 40% of the Zacks Industry Rank, but analysts have revised earnings estimates downward, leading to a consensus estimate shift from earnings of 6 cents per share to a loss of 32 cents [3] Group 2 - The high implied volatility surrounding Community Health Systems may indicate a trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on such options, hoping the stock does not move as much as expected by expiration [4]

Core Insights - Earnings season is beginning to slow down, providing some relief after recent market volatility, with key companies like Alibaba, Zscaler, Deer & Company, and Dell Technologies set to report this week [1] Earnings Reports - This week features earnings reports from: - Alibaba (BABA) with an expected move of 7.2% - Dell Technologies (DELL) with an expected move of 9.4% - Zscaler (ZS) with an expected move of 9.9% - Deer & Company (DE) with an expected move of 5.5% [4] Implied Volatility - Implied volatility tends to be high before earnings reports due to market uncertainty, leading to increased demand for options [2] - After earnings announcements, implied volatility typically decreases to normal levels [2] Trading Strategies - Traders can utilize expected moves to structure trades: - Bearish traders may consider selling bear call spreads outside the expected range - Bullish traders might sell bull put spreads or look at naked puts for higher risk tolerance [4] - Neutral traders can explore iron condors, ensuring short strikes remain outside the expected range [5] Stock Screening - A stock screener can identify stocks with high implied volatility, using filters such as: - Total call volume greater than 5,000 - Market cap greater than 40 billion - IV Rank greater than 40% [6][7] Previous Earnings Performance - Last week's earnings move for TCOM was +2.2%, compared to an expected move of 6.2% [9]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in Carnival Corporation & PLC (CCL) should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Dec 19, 2025 $1.00 Put option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectations for future price movements, with high levels suggesting potential significant changes or upcoming events that could impact the stock [2] - The current high implied volatility for Carnival shares may signal a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on such options [4] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Carnival currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) in the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, which is positioned in the bottom 40% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, five analysts have raised their earnings estimates for Carnival's current quarter, increasing the Zacks Consensus Estimate from earnings of 20 cents per share to 24 cents [3]

Core Viewpoint - Investors should closely monitor Amdocs Limited (DOX) stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Jan 16, 2025 $50.00 Call option [1] Company Analysis - Amdocs currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) within the Computers - IT Services Industry, which is positioned in the top 34% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, no analysts have raised their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one analyst has lowered their estimate, resulting in a decrease in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $1.86 per share to $1.78 per share [3] Options Market Insights - The high implied volatility surrounding Amdocs suggests that options traders anticipate a significant price movement for the stock, 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 if the underlying stock does not move as much as expected by expiration [4]

Core Viewpoint - Palo Alto Networks has underperformed both the broader market and its tech sector peers, with a 3.5% increase compared to a 21% rise in the XLK ETF [1][2]. Performance Analysis - The stock recently peaked at approximately 223.61 but has since retraced, currently holding a support range between 196 and 198, which are significant lows established during its previous upward movement [3][5]. - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has declined to about 37, indicating a weakening momentum, while the stock price has fallen below its moving averages [4]. Technical Indicators - Key moving averages are converging around the 205 level, with potential support identified at the 251-day EMA near 191 [4][5]. - The supportive area aligns with a high volume node between 196 and 198, while resistance is noted between 205 and 207, where moving averages and previous highs converge [5]. Options Strategy - Anticipation of elevated implied volatility ahead of earnings, with the options market pricing in a potential 7% move in shares [7]. - A neutral to bullish options strategy is proposed, involving a custom four-legged spread that combines selling an out-of-the-money put vertical and buying an upside call calendar [8][9]. - The strategy includes selling a 190 strike put and buying a 185 strike put, financing the purchase of a 215 strike call expiring on November 28 [9][10]. - The apex of profitability is targeted at or near 215, with a break-even point at approximately 189.70, allowing for some downside cushion before incurring losses [11][12].

Amazon (AMZN) is currently a compelling candidate for an iron condor strategy with the stock being stuck in between the 50 and 200-day moving averages. Amazon stock is also showing high implied volatility at 36.72% compared to a twelve-month low of 22.95%. More News from Barchart This allows traders to collect more premium, increasing the potential return and providing a wider margin for error on both sides of the trade. The company’s strong liquidity ensures tight bid-ask spreads, making it easier to ...

Group 1 - The stock of Concentrix Corporation (CNXC) is experiencing significant attention due to high implied volatility in the options market, particularly for the Dec. 19, 2025 $22.5 Call option [1] - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectation of future price movement, suggesting that investors anticipate a significant change in Concentrix's stock price, potentially due to an upcoming event [2] - Concentrix currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) in the Business – Services industry, with no analysts increasing earnings estimates for the current quarter over the last 60 days, resulting in a decrease in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $3.31 to $2.93 per share [3] Group 2 - The high implied volatility surrounding Concentrix may indicate a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on options with such volatility, aiming to benefit from time decay [4]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in Axos Financial, Inc. should closely monitor the stock due to significant movements in the options market, particularly the high implied volatility of the Jan 16, 2026 $32.2 Call option [1] Group 1: Implied Volatility - Implied volatility indicates the market's expectations for future stock movement, 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 Axos Financial 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 Insights - Axos Financial holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) within the Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, which is in the top 30% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Axos Financial's current quarter earnings has increased from $1.98 per share to $2.01 per share, indicating positive sentiment among analysts [3]

Company Overview - UFP Industries, Inc. (UFPI) is currently experiencing significant attention from investors due to high implied volatility in its options market, particularly the Jan 16, 2026 $65 Call option [1] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) within the Building Products – Wood industry, which is positioned in the bottom 6% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] Analyst Sentiment - Over the past 30 days, no analysts have increased their earnings estimates for UFP Industries for the current quarter, while two analysts have revised their estimates downward, leading to a decrease in the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $1.14 per share to $1.06 [3] Options Market Dynamics - The high implied volatility suggests that options traders are anticipating a significant price movement for UFP Industries shares, which could indicate an upcoming event that may lead to a substantial rally or sell-off [2][4] - 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 by expiration [4]

Core Insights - Investors in SouthState Bank Corporation (SSB) should monitor stock movements due to high implied volatility in the options market, particularly the Dec. 19, 2025 $35 Call option [1] Company Overview - SouthState Bank is currently rated as Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) within the Banks – Southeast industry, which ranks in the top 7% of the Zacks Industry Rank [3] - Over the last 60 days, four analysts have raised their earnings estimates for the current quarter, resulting in an increase of the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $2.23 per share to $2.29 [3] Market Sentiment - The high implied volatility suggests that options traders anticipate significant movement in SouthState Bank shares, potentially indicating an upcoming event that could lead to a major price change [2][4] - 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]