The chipmaker also issued a strong current-quarter forecast
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) yesterday reported a surprise second-quarter profit of 13 cents per share -- much better than analysts' expectations of a loss of 3 cents per share -- as well as a revenue beat of $12.95 billion. The chipmaker's current-quarter forecast also impressed, as the market for personal computers begins to improve.
The equity has already attracted no fewer than 16 price-target hikes, including one from Raymond James to $42 from $35. Analysts are largely skeptical of INTC, with 26 of the 31 in coverage calling it a tepid "hold" or worse, while the 12-month consensus target price of $34.52 is still a 6.2% discount to its current perch.
At last check, INTC is up 6.7% at $36.85, its highest trading level since June. The $37 region is keeping a lid on gains, but the 40-day moving average has acted as support since May. Year-to-date, the stock is up 35.5%.
Over at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), INTC's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.35 sits higher than 96% of readings from the last 12 months. This suggests long calls have been getting picked up at a quicker-than-usual clip.
Drilling down to today's options activity, 120,000 calls and 71,000 puts have exchanged hands, or eight times the volume that's typically seen at this point. The August 30 put is the most active contract by a long shot, followed by the 40 call in that same series.
Furthermore, the security's Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) sits at a 84 out of 100, meaning it has exceeded option traders' volatility expectations over the past year.