Unusual Options Activity in Square, Inc. (SQ)

Today, among the underlying components of the NYSE, we saw unusual or noteworthy options trading volume and activity in Square, Inc. (SQ), which opened at $253.01.

There were a total of 5,250 contracts traded on the $210 strike call option at the bid, dated for September 17th, 2021, representing approximately 525,000 shares.

Additionally, there were another 5,250 contracts traded on the $260 strike put option at the ask, dated for November 11th, 2021, representing another 525,000 shares.

Finally, there were another 5,250 contracts traded on the $260 strike call option at the bid, also dated for November 11th, 2021.  Altogether, these positions represent 1,575,000 shares.  It would be anticipated these orders are protecting substantial shares, and were traded as part of a strategy.

These orders come after Square, Inc. is partnering with SoFi (SOFI) for technology services.  Furthermore, Sivan Whiteley, Gen. Counsel & Corp. Secretary, on September 07, 2021, sold 8,119 shares in Square, Inc. for $2,161,927.

Unusual Options Activity in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI)

Among the underlying components of the NYSE, we saw unusual or noteworthy options trading volume and activity today in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI), which opened at $32.08.

There were a total of 4,025 contracts traded on the $29 strike put option at the ask, dated for September 17th, 2021, representing approximately 402,500 shares.

There were an additional total of 4,025 contracts traded on the $32 strike put option, also for the ask, for the same date, and representing the same amount of shares.

These orders come after last month's reporting that Albertsons was a value company with additional, speculative potential.

Earlier this month, on September 2nd, call volume, in green, had reached a high 23,810 and has now come down to 804 today.  ACI’s 30 day average put volume is 1,800, so this jump represents a 929% rise over the mean.

Unusual Options Activity in JD.com, Inc. (JD)

Finally, in the market capitalization-weighted index NASDAQ Global Select Market Composite (NasdaqGS), we saw unusual or noteworthy options trading volume and activity today in JD.com, Inc. (JD), which opened at $82.20.

There were a total of 15,000 contracts traded on the $75 strike call option at the ask, dated for December 17th, 2021, representing approximately 1,500,000 shares.

Additionally, there were a total of 15,000 contracts traded on the $80 strike call option at the bid, dated for September 17th, 2021, representing an additional 1,500,000 shares.  Together, these orders represent a diagonal or calendar spread.  There is approximately a 48% chance of profitability, with a 14.6% maximum return on risk; the debit, or maximum risk, is $12,675,000.

Furthermore, these orders come after a phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, their first talks in seven months.

Open interest, in yellow, has continued upward to 1,290,077 contracts being traded as of yesterday’s close.  JD’s average 30 day call volume is 53,500, so within the first hour of open already it has had 76% of its typical call volume for a day.

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