Options Trading Signals Unusual Activity

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OptionSpotter hunts down unusual options activity, exposing hidden plays for big gains. Sharp, fast, and always ahead—OptionSpotter turns insights into profits.
 

•  31 Jan 2025
 

Affirm Holdings $AFRM, which has seen a clear bearish tilt in its options market. A total of 18 trades were recorded today, with 33% of investors positioning for bullish outcomes, while the remaining 66% took a more pessimistic view. The total amount spent on puts was $170,690, while calls amounted to $893,344. This heavy skew towards bearish sentiment raises some eyebrows, particularly when looking at the volume and value of the trades.

Over at Apollo Global Management $APO, the options activity also painted a somewhat bearish picture. With significant trades appearing on Benzinga’s scanner, it’s clear that major players are positioning themselves for potential downside. This trend is particularly interesting given the size of these trades, which often signals that investors are bracing for some form of market catalyst, whether it’s a corporate event or broader economic factors.

Turning to ARM Holdings ($ARM), options data suggests a more neutral stance among investors. While there’s a mix of trade expectations, today’s activity suggests that traders are split on the direction of the stock. The trades recorded could indicate that institutional players believe some kind of material event could move ARM in either direction, though it's unclear what exactly might be driving this sentiment.

Credo Technology ($CRDO) also saw a flurry of options trades today. The activity here has been mostly bearish, with whales positioning themselves for potential downside. Whether this is due to the company’s recent performance or a broader sector trend, the large-scale trades reflect significant caution or anticipation of a pullback. In the world of options trading, such volume can indicate that big players are privy to information that the retail investor may not yet be aware of.

In the semiconductor sector, Lam Research ($LRCX) has witnessed notable options activity, with a majority of trades leaning bearish. Investors in the know may be bracing for some uncertainty surrounding the company, and with such a large amount of capital invested in these trades, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that something significant could be on the horizon. The fact that these trades popped up on publicly available scanners means that retail traders should stay alert for any developments that could trigger further volatility.

Looking at ServiceNow ($NOW), we see a more balanced options landscape. 60 trades were detected, with 35% positioned for a bullish move and 40% placing bearish bets. The disparity between calls and puts suggests that large investors are hedging their positions, preparing for a move in either direction. Given the size and scope of the trades, there’s an underlying sense that the stock could be at a key inflection point.

Palantir Technologies ($PLTR) displayed similar behavior to some of the others today, with high-rolling investors making sizable moves, again with a bearish tilt. Though retail traders may be tempted to jump in, these whales seem to be setting themselves up for a potential downturn. With the stock seeing a mix of put and call activity, there’s a good chance that the broader market sentiment is influencing these moves.

Rivian Automotive ($RIVN) also appears to be on the radar for many large investors, with bearish bets dominating the options activity. It’s worth noting that of the 16 trades spotted, 43% were for bullish positions, but the majority were for puts. The stock’s price action could be in for a rocky ride if these bets play out, especially with the amount of capital flowing into these bearish options.

Snowflake ($SNOW) revealed a rather intriguing picture in its options data today. With more than 50% of trades placing bets on bullish outcomes, it’s clear that some investors have strong expectations for growth. But there’s a sizeable portion, around 33%, with a bearish outlook, suggesting that even in a seemingly optimistic environment, caution is warranted. The options volumes here hint at a tug-of-war between those who are confident in Snowflake's growth prospects and those expecting a pullback.

Finally, SoFi Technologies ($SOFI) also made its way into the unusual options activity radar. With a clear bearish tilt—75% of trades positioning for a decline—it’s evident that major investors are betting against the stock. The relatively smaller number of trades compared to others suggests that this may be a more speculative move, though still one that warrants attention as the options market reacts to current sentiment.

As always, while these trends can offer valuable insight into market sentiment, options trading is inherently risky, and the true catalysts for these moves might not always be immediately clear. Traders should remain cautious, especially with the weekend looming, as unexpected news over the next few days could shift these positions dramatically.