Volume Spike Investor

Maxim Integrated Circuit (MXIM) is down slightly on fairly mundane volume this afternoon, but the strong put buying is of note, given that the stock is one of analysts’ very favorite right now in the semiconductor group.
Analyst sentiment for MXIM seemingly can’t get much higher, with estimate revisions on the rise and analyst ratings high [...]

United Healthcare (UNH) shares are up more than a point on stronger-than-usual volume for this time in the session, on speculation that President Obama will need to cede more ground to the private insurance system already in place in order to pass healthcare reform legislation.
In the options market, calls are outnumbering puts at a ratio [...]

General Electric shares have traded nearly a full-day’s volume and call buying in the options market is elevated; the call activity was among the most active for any stock in yesterday’s trading, as well.
But the activity does not seem to be a bullish directional bet. It appears to be a professional trading strategy being employed [...]

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SVNT) is a stock we are seeing a huge spike in trading of its stock and options ahead of Tuesday’s FDA review of its gout drug: As of 2:30 PM EST we have seen 8.8 million shares trade hands, while the normal trading volume is only 1.85 million shares.  We are [...]

It appears as though investors and traders alike are speculating on the recent reports of Citadel being in negotiations with E*TRADE Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ETFC).  The hedge fund has already made an investment in E*TRADE and its head Ken Griffin has now taken a board seat at the company.  After all, Citadel has something to [...]

Warren Buffett has been active in snapping up shares of railroad stocks when he has been able to, such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (NYSE: BNI).  He has done this generally writing PUT OPTION contracts to collect a high premium, and if the stock falls under the strike price it means that Warren would [...]

U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) had some unusual options trading on Friday, and this was no close-out trade.  We saw in the PUT OPTIONS which expire on Friday, October 16, 2009 a highly unusual trading pattern in the OCT-2009 $30.00 Strike Puts as options contract trading volume of 20,465 contracts were made.  The prior open interest [...]

CROCS Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) is seeing its shares run very hard.  This was one of the brands which was at risk of dying, but trader chat rooms and day traders keep running this one up today and we now have seen almost a 300% rally from its absolute lows.  At 4.65 million shares as of [...]

Dendreon Corporation (NASDAQ: DNDN) is screaming higher this morning.  The company stock is up some 240% at $24.59 after closing at $7.30 before getting halted last night.  Its prior 52-week trading range was $2.55 to $10.00.  At 9:07 AM EST we have already seen 2.6 million shares trade hands and the average volume here is [...]

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) is going to see perhaps a massive volume spike Monday based upon trial study results.  The company will be holding a conference call and webcast Monday morning, March 30, 2009, at 8:30 AM EST.  The topic is to be Arena’s top-line results from its BLOOM trial, the Behavioral modification and [...]