Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE:UBER) is preparing for its latest quarterly report, due out before the open tomorrow, January 5. Analysts appear optimistic ahead of the event, expecting earnings of 50 cents per share and year-over-year revenue growth of 18.2% to $11.74 billion. 

Though UBER is up 15.7% year to date, the $70 level has kept a lid on on gains since the start of January. The shares also touched the overhead 80-day moving during today's rise, so there is plenty of potential resistance for tomorrow's earnings volatility. At last glance, the stock was up 3.7% at $69.95. 

The equity's post-earnings history leans positive, with five of the last eight next-day moves ending in gains. This time around, the options pits are pricing in a 12.3% swing, regardless of direction, which is larger than the 6.6% move the stock has averaged over the last two years. 

Call traders are picking up UBER ahead of the event. So far, 181,000 calls have been exchanged, which is double the call volume typically seen at this point. The February 80 call is the most popular, followed by the weekly 2/7 70-strike call, with new positions opening at the latter. 

Calls have ruled the roost longer term as well. This is per the equity's 50-day put/call volume ratio of 3.15 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). This ratio ranks in the 94th annual percentile, indicating a heavy preference for calls versus puts within the past 10 weeks.

PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PYPL) stock is down 9.9% to trade at $80.61 at last check, brushing off a top- and bottom-line beat for the fourth quarter due to contracting margins. The fintech giant also announced an upbeat 2025 forecast amid Venmo growth.

PYPL is on track for its worst single-day percentage loss since in about a year, and earlier fell to $80,20, its lowest level since November. The shares still sport a 31.5% year-over-year lead, though, and long-term support from their 120-day moving average could contain today's losses.

The options pits are buzzing, with 130,000 calls and 48,000 puts exchanged so far today, which is eight times the intraday average volume. The most popular contract is the weekly 2/7 90-strike call, where new positions are being sold to open.

Now looks like an great time to weigh in with options. This is per the stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) sits at a low 6 out of 100, making it a prime premium-selling candidate. 

Software stock Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:PLTR) is up 22.9% at $102.94 at last glance, earlier soaring to a fresh record high of $106.91, after the company's impressive fourth-quarter results and 2025 revenue forecast. Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to "equal weight" from "underweight" after the event, while a flood of other analysts lifted their price targets. 

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom played a huge role in the results, and Palantir Technologies' Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar is making headlines as he discusses competition with China, calling it an "AI arms race." Over the last year, PLTR has jumped 533% as AI momentum carries on. 

Analysts, however, are mostly bearish on the equity, leaving plenty of room for upgrades going forward. Of the 18 brokerages in coverage, 16 carry a "hold" or worse rating. 

Unsurprisingly, options traders are blasting PLTR straight out of the gate. Within the first 15 minutes of trading, the stock has seen 6 times the options volume typically seen at this point. The weekly 2/7 110-strike call is the most popular, followed by the 105-strike call in the same series, with new positions being opened at both. 

This marks a shift in sentiment, as options traders were more bearish than usual over the last two weeks amid the stock's already-high valuation. This is per PLTR's 10-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which ranks higher than 80% of readings from the past year. 

Stocks have pulled off a massive V-shaped rally in today's trading session. While many sectors have fought their way into the black, cryptocurrency-adjacent stocks are still feeling the pain, as Bitcoin (BTC) grapples with the prospect of President Donald Trump's tariffs. 

Look Out for COIN Bull Notes

Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:COIN) is down 1.3% to trade at $287.43 at last check, but is still 15% higher in 2025. Even though there's been rangebound trading in the last two weeks, the shares have support in place at their 80-day moving average. Longer term, COIN sports a 121.2% year-over-year lead. 

The majority of brokerages are on the sidelines, with 15 of the 23 in coverage carrying a "hold" or worse rating. With the stock's consensus 12-month price target at $300.76, an overdue round of bull notes could provide a spark.

How Options Traders Should Play MARA

MARA Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:MARA) is down 0.3% to trade at $18.28 at last check. The equity has followed the same price action as sector peer Coinbase: Consolidatory trading after an initial burst to start the year. The difference is MARA is now below its year-over-year breakeven level. 

Regardless of direction, options are an attractive route. The equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 85% ranks in the 8th percentile of the last 12 months. What's more, the security's Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) sits at 3 out of 100, making it a prime premium-selling candidate. 

Volatility is plaguing Wall Street in light of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Regardless of what's up next, traders can take advantage of Schaeffer’s Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White's list of 25 worst S&P 500 Index (SPX) stocks for February to know which stocks to avoid over the coming weeks. CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) is among them, and warrants a closer look.

According to White, CVS averaged a 4.3% loss in February in the last decade, settling higher only three times during that period. The stock was last seen down 0.4% to trade at $56.28, indicating a drop of similar magnitude would place it closer to the $53 region. 

CVS Health stock has been attempting to distance itself from a Dec. 23, roughly 12-year low of $44.38. The equity's latest rally lost steam before conquering $58, though, and today's losses could bring about a fourth consecutive negative session. Shares are also struggling with pressure from the 200-day moving average, and carry a 23.1% year-over-year deficit.

Short-term options traders are already bearish toward CVS. This is per the security's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR), which ranks higher than 86% of annual readings.

Music streaming name Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:SPOT) is preparing for its latest quarterly earnings report, due out before the open Tuesday, February 4. The stock has a bright earnings history, finishing its last five post-earnings sessions higher and closing only one next-day session lower over the past two years. 

The stock has already been outperforming on the charts recently, too, hitting a record high of $560.36 just last session before turning lower. Today, the shares were last seen up 0.4% at $550.50, adding to their 23% year-to-date gain. 

When considering tomorrow's potential earnings move, it's worth noting that there is still room for optimism amongst the brokerage bunch. Of the 29 analysts in coverage, nine carry a "hold" or worse rating despite the stock's recent peak. 

Furthermore, though shorts have been covering their positions over the last month, short interest still represents 4.5% of the stock's available float. This leaves a bit of short squeeze potential left over as well.