Most Active Stock Options November 24, 2009 & Trading Activity

As of today the top ten most active stock option contracts traded were:

1. Blackstone Group (BX) January 10 Call Options
2. Mattel (MAT) January 17.50 Call Options
3. General Electric (GE) January 2011 22.50 Call Options
4. Bank of America (BAC) January 2011 30 Call Options
5. Mattel January 15 Call Options
6. Bank of America (BAC) January 2011 25 Call Options
7. PowerShares QQQ (QQQQ) December 44 Call Options
8. Health Care SPDR (XLV) March 32 Call Options
9. S&P 500 SPDR (SPY) December 111 Call Options
10. S&P 500 SPDR (SPY) December 105 Put Options

Today's activity is very unusual but before I start detailing my thoughts on today's activity it is worth it to note that both active option contracts traded on Blackstone (BX) and Mattel (MAT) are due to the dividends they will be spinning out tomorrow morning. If we take a look at all of the LEAP options traded on both General Electric and Bank of America (both DOW components) it is certainly a bearish bet as most of the contracts traded near the bid price, so in other words if I had a massive block I wanted to get through, I wouldn't waste time trying to receive a split between the bid/ask, I would simply sell them at the bid to execute the trade. This could imply one trader does not believe these stocks will be at these prices by January 2011, but more likely implies the trader is betting on a near term sell off just to close the positions for a gain... Happy trading and have a wonderful holiday! Sphere: Related Content