Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) – Shares in Citigroup, up 1.25% at $36.50 as of 11:15 a.m. ET, are rebounding somewhat today following Wednesday’s sharp selloff in financial stocks and equities across the board. Sizable trades in November expiry call options on Citi this morning indicates one trader may be positioning for limited, albeit substantial, gains in the price of the underlying by expiration next week. It looks like the strategist purchased a 6,620-lot Nov. 16 ’12 $37/$39 bull call spread for a net premium of $0.42 per contract. The spread starts making money if shares in Citigroup rise 2.5% to exceed the effective breakeven point at $37.42, with maximum potential profits of $1.58 per contract available should shares rally 7% to settle at a fresh 52-week high of $39.00 by November expiration.
Dillard’s, Inc. (NYSE:DDS) – Department store operator, Dillard’s, Inc., posted third-quarter earnings that handily beat average analyst estimates ahead of the opening bell this morning, sending shares in the name up more than 7% to a new all-time high of $86.71. The earnings beat and the sharp move in the price of the retailer’s shares today spurred heavier-than-usual activity in Dillard’s options this morning. Overall options volume on the stock is greater than 3,500 contracts as of midday on the East Coast, versus average daily options volume of around 1,026 contracts. Traders positioning for fresh record highs in DDS shares in the near term appear to be responsible for at least some of today’s volume. Near-term bullish traders purchased more than 230 calls at the Nov. $90 strike for an average premium of $0.49 apiece. The Dec. $90 strike calls are also in play, with upwards of 305 lots changing hands versus open interest of 5 contracts. It looks like most of the Dec. $90 calls were purchased for an average premium of $1.80 each earlier in the trading session. Traders long the calls may profit at expiration next month if shares in Dillard’s, Inc. add 6% to today’s high of $86.71, to exceed the average breakeven point at $91.80.
Equity Options Analyst
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