The pandemic staple noted sales growth is slowing down
Zoom Video Communications Inc (NASDAQ:ZM) is plummeting today, last seen down 14% to trade at $208.45. Today's drop came after the tech concern noted sales growth is slowing down as workers return to the office and the pandemic winds down. In turn, the company is brushing off a third-quarter top- and bottom-line win, despite also raising its full-year forecast.
The brokerage bunch is already chiming in on the results. The security received at least seven price-target cuts earlier, including one from Evercorse ISI to $235 from $255. Plus, Wells Fargo initiated coverage on the stock with an "equal weight" rating and $275 price target. Analysts were split towards ZM prior to today, with 10 rating it a "buy" or better, while 10 said "hold." Meanwhile, the 12-month consensus target price of $340 is a whopping 65.3% premium to current levels.
The last few months have been rough for Zoom stock. The security is now trading at annual lows, while slipping firmly below its 40-day moving average. The shares have also breached a floor at the $250 level, which was responsible for containing several pullbacks in recent weeks. Year-over-year, ZM has shed 51.7%.
The options pits are similarly bearish. This is per the security's 10-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which stands higher than 96% of readings from the past year. This indicates puts have been getting picked up at a much faster-than-usual pace.
That penchant for puts is only getting reinforced today. So far, 126,000 puts and 57,000 calls have crossed the tape, which is 11 times the intraday average. Most popular is the 11/26 200-strike put, followed by the 190-strike put in the same weekly series, with new positions being opened at both.