Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

Most Active Weekly Options: Twitter Inc and Apple Inc.

Weekly options continue to be popular on both Twitter Inc (TWTR) and Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Dec 22, 2016 at 3:02 PM
facebook X logo linkedin


The 20 stocks listed in the table below have attracted the highest weekly options volume during the past 10 trading days. Stocks highlighted are new to the list since the last time the study was run, and data is courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White. Two names of notable interest are social media stock Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) and iPhone parent Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Here's a quick look at how options traders are lining up on TWTR and AAPL.

most active weekly options December 22

TWTR is getting demolished this afternoon, down 4.5% at $16.31 -- and on track for a seventh consecutive daily loss. Panic seems to be persisting amid a recent exodus of top executives. Year-to-date, the shares have now surrendered nearly 30%.

Nonetheless, call buying has been the predominant strategy in TWTR's options pits. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the microblogging stock has seen 4.30 calls bought to open for every put during the past two weeks -- a ratio that ranks in the bullishly skewed 84th annual percentile. Echoing this, Twitter's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.42 rests in the low 7th annual percentile, hinting at a near-extreme call skew among options in the front three-months' series. Should option bulls begin hitting the exits, the shares could be pressured further south.

Today, however, Twitter Inc put options are flying off the shelves at nearly double the usual intraday rate. The weekly 12/23 17 strike -- which is now in the money -- is the most active put option, and it appears some buy-to-open activity may be transpiring.

Meanwhile, fresh off yesterday's patent infringement lawsuit, AAPL is down 0.8% at $116.07 -- but remains about 10% higher in 2016. Separately, despite reiterating a "buy" rating and an $135 price target, Brean Capital expressed caution about the upcoming iPhone cycle. "Given the lack of model clarity, along with lack of super compelling new features and, frankly, higher ASPs in the U.S given the roll-back of carrier subsidies, competition in China, and higher ASPs in India, we believe it's very possible that the CY'18 demand is more muted that what we'd all originally envisioned," Brean explained.

That isn't stopping options traders from buying to open calls today, with the most action taking place at the weekly 12/23 117 strike. ISE data confirms new positions have been purchased, though it appears some are tied to stock. In any case, today's call buying merely echoes what we've witnessed in recent weeks at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX. Apple Inc.'s 10-day call/put volume ratio of 2.05 sits just 8 percentage points from a 12-month peak.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap to get all the day's big stock movers, must-know technical levels, and top economic stories straight to your inbox.

 
 

Which of These SUB-$5 Stocks Could 26x From Here? (AD)

He called a rare 11x on Tesla…

Then he called a 26x on Workhorse…

Then an even rarer 35x on Nio Inc…

Now Tim Bohen says these 5 tiny “America First” stocks are next up in 2025.

They’re trading for less than $5 right now.

But thanks to Elon & Trump’s new alliance…

They could be off to the races in Trump’s first 100 days.

And right now for a limited time…

You can get the names & tickers for just $1 here. (AD)

10 Stock Picks FREE
 
 

Featured Articles from Trusted Partners:

🚀 One Stock Pick Could Change Everything in 2025
What if one stock pick could define your success next year? Get 10 expert-vetted stocks set for 2025—plus 5 bonus picks to watch now. Get the Report →

🆕 New Options Need New Trading Strategies
Zero-DTE options are the newest (and hottest) options to trade.  Professional traders have rushed into the market and are making a mint.  Don’t get left behind - learn all about these options, how to trade them, market setups to profit from, plus much more. Download now →

👀 Revealed: 3 Defensive Stocks for Your Portfolio
Worried about the market? This free report reveals 3 under-the-radar defensive stocks for uncertain times in any kind of economy.

 

 
 

FREE Report Download

 

Follow us on X, Follow us on Twitter