SYS Research – Unusual Activity – Thursday, December 26, 2024

Notice: The Unusual Activity report is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a stock-picking service or as financial advice. The charts and accompanying research are designed to support your analysis, serving as indicators rather than direct recommendations to buy or sell any security. The creator assumes no responsibility for actions taken by readers and strongly encourages individuals to fully understand the associated risks and potential outcomes before making investment decisions. Please note that any charts and/or information are intended to aid in research and should not be considered a definitive part of your personal trading strategy. Not all charts will lead to actionable buy or sell signals at any given time. Individuals should consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

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Unusual Activity Report

This daily report focuses on three key components that can lead to market momentum: unusual options activity, insider buying, and institutional sponsorship. By scanning for these signals each day, we uncover potential stock movements driven by notable trades, insider transactions, and institutional investments. Using advanced algorithms and proprietary research methods, we sift through vast amounts of data to identify unique opportunities, offering timely insights highlighting emerging market momentum.

Disclaimer: All data and information presented in this report are sourced from publicly available materials intended for informational purposes only. The content is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.


Standout Options Trades

This section highlights notable options trades reflecting significant sentiment—bullish, bearish, or mixed—characterized by high-dollar-value transactions or large trade sizes exceeding prior open interest. When open interest rises from the previous day, it often indicates the creation of new positions rather than the closing of existing ones, suggesting a fresh outlook on the underlying stock or ETF.

For instance, call buying generally signals an expectation of upward movement, while selling calls suggest the trader anticipates the price will stay below a certain level. Put selling reflects confidence that the price will hold above the strike, implying stability. In contrast, put buying may reveal a bearish outlook or serve as a hedge against a larger bullish position elsewhere.

Note: This report highlights large, unusual options trades identified for their size and potential impact, representing individual sentiment rather than broad market consensus. These trades are informational and are not intended as buy or sell signals. They reflect noteworthy activity observed during the trading day and should be viewed as one part of a broader analysis.

Options Flow Analysis: Trading Day 2024-12-26

The following analysis focuses on the Stock Options Flow Leaderboard for the trading day 2024-12-26. Each section highlights significant institutional activity, providing sentiment, key observations, and market expectations based on the data. All numbers represent large block trades likely executed by institutional players, not total-market figures.

Capri Holdings Limited (CPRI)
  • Sentiment: Bullish
  • Key Activity: Put selling with $41,112,960 in premium sold, with no significant call activity.
  • Total Values: Net premium of $41,097,450.
  • Strike Price Considerations: The focus on put selling could indicate a belief that the stock won’t fall below certain levels.
  • Market View: There’s a sense of confidence that CPRI will maintain or increase its value, possibly due to brand strength or seasonal sales.
Atlassian Corporation (TEAM)
  • Sentiment: Bullish
  • Key Activity: Large call buying with $29,775,000 in premium bought.
  • Total Values: Net premium of $29,976,500, nearly all from call options.
  • Strike Price Considerations: This might reflect optimism about new product releases or market expansion.
  • Market View: Investors appear to be betting on growth or significant positive announcements from TEAM.
Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER)
  • Sentiment: Mixed
  • Key Activity: Moderate activity with more call selling than buying, but significant put selling.
  • Total Values: Net premium of $26,027,113 from put selling.
  • Strike Price Considerations: The mixed signals could indicate uncertainty but with a slight lean towards stability or modest growth.
  • Market View: There might be varied expectations, with some investors protecting against downturns while others see potential for stability.
Concluding Observations:
  • Biogen Inc. (BIIB), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS) show bullish activity through put selling, suggesting confidence in their stability or potential for growth.
  • Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) and SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN) show mixed signals with both call-and-put activities, suggesting a market in flux with varied expectations.
  • Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI) exhibits significant call buying, indicating optimism about quantum computing developments.
  • Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR) has a modest bullish signal but with low volumes, indicating cautious optimism or speculative trading.

Individual Options Trades: Trading Day 2024-12-26

This section focuses on unusual trades that stand out on an individual basis. These trades are highlighted for their distinctiveness, reflecting significant activity that diverges from typical market behavior.

Stem Inc. (STEM)
Sentiment: Bullish – The activity consists entirely of buying call options, which indicates optimism about the stock price increasing.
Options Activity:
  • Multiple buy transactions of call options with expiration in January 2025 and February 2025.
  • Call options for January 17, 2025, with a strike price of $1.00 were bought across various exchanges.
  • Call options for February 21, 2025, with a strike price of $0.50 were also actively purchased, with some trades noted to exceed prior open interest.
Strike Price:
  • $1.00 for January 2025 expiration
  • $0.50 for February 2025 expiration
Expectations:
  • Investors buying these call options anticipate a rise in STEM’s stock price above the strike prices before the expiration dates.
Market View:
  • The market view appears to be optimistic, with traders betting on a significant upside for STEM stock in the near to medium term.

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)

Sentiment: Bullish – Selling put options indicates a bullish stance, expecting the stock price to remain above the strike prices

Options Activity:

  • Two sell transactions of put options, both expiring January 17, 2025.
  • One trade at a strike price of $145, another at $150, both significantly exceeding prior open interest.
Total Values:
  • $10,089,700 for the $145 strike put
  • $13,779,200 for the $150 strike put
  • Combined total of $23,868,900 in premiums received.
Strike Price:
  • $145
  • $150
Expectations:
  • Sellers of these put options expect VLO’s stock price to stay above $145 and $150 respectively by the expiration date.
Market View:
  • The market view here is optimistic, as the sellers are willing to accept the obligation to buy VLO shares at these strike prices if the stock falls below them, suggesting confidence in the stock’s stability or growth.

Devon Energy Corporation (DVN)
Sentiment: Bullish – Selling put options is indicative of a bullish outlook, expecting the stock price to remain above the strike prices.
Options Activity:
  • Three sell transactions of put options:
    • January 17, 2025, expiration with a strike price of $47.50
    • January 17, 2025, expiration with a strike price of $50.00
    • February 21, 2025, expiration with a strike price of $42.50
  • All trades significantly exceed prior open interest, indicating large new positions.
Total Values:
  • $2,132,000 for the $47.50 strike put
  • $5,027,400 for the $50.00 strike put
  • $1,174,200 for the $42.50 strike put
  • Combined total of $8,333,600 in premiums received.
Strike Price:
  • $47.50 for January 2025
  • $50.00 for January 2025
  • $42.50 for February 2025
Expectations:
  • The sellers expect DVN’s stock price to stay above these strike prices by their respective expiration dates, anticipating that they will not be obligated to buy the shares at these levels.

Market View:

  • The market view here suggests optimism for DVN, with traders willing to collect premiums on the expectation that the stock will not drop below these strike prices before expiration.

Other mentions:
FNKO: Put/Call Ratio: 47/5542 – Bullish sentiment, with significantly more call options purchased compared to puts.
SOUN: Put/Call Ratio: 135k/242k – Bullish sentiment, more calls than puts suggesting optimism for stock price increase.
AMSC: Note: Mention of a LEAP buyer – Indicates long-term bullish sentiment.
AIOT: Put/Call Ratio: 2008/6450 – Bullish sentiment, with a higher volume of calls over puts.
QSI: Put/Call Ratio: 1933/20k – Very Bullish, a large disparity in favor of calls.
ZI: Put/Call Ratio: 569/4895 – Bullish sentiment, calls outnumber puts significantly.
U: Put/Call Ratio: 3657/53k – Bullish, with a high ratio of calls to puts.
Analysis:
  • All the stocks listed show a notable trend where the number of calls significantly exceeds puts, indicating a bullish market sentiment. This suggests that traders are betting on these stocks to rise in value.
  • The LEAP purchase in AMSC further supports the view of long-term bullishness.

Insider Transactions

Each day, insider transactions provide insights into the movements of key executives and shareholders within various companies. These transactions can signal confidence in future performance or a need to liquidate holdings. Today’s report identified the most significant insider purchases and sales, highlighting influential figures and companies that made notable moves.  Let’s take a look at some of today’s standout transactions.

US Insider Purchases

Alset Capital Acquisition Corp (ACAX)
Buyer: Chan Heng Fai Ambrose (Non-Executive Director Large shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 1,300,000 (+11.4%)
Price: USD 0.45
Total Value: USD 585,000

 

Globalstar Inc (GSAT)
Buyer: Monroe James III (Non-Executive Director Large shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 500,000 (+4.8%)
Price: USD 1.96
Total Value: USD 977,650

 

Progyny Inc (PGNY)
Buyer: Schlanger David J (Executive Chairman)
Shares Purchased: 150,000 (+191.6%)
Price: USD 14.68
Total Value: USD 2,202,330

 

Progyny Inc (PGNY)
Buyer: Anevski Peter (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
Shares Purchased: 209,500 (+90.3%)
Price: USD 14.48
Total Value: USD 3,034,084

 

Agree Realty Corp (ADC)
Buyer: RAKOLTA JOHN JR (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 10,000 (+2.2%)
Price: USD 70.07
Total Value: USD 700,700

US Insider Sales

BigBear.ai Holdings Inc (BBAI)
Seller: BBAI Ultimate Holdings, LLC (Non-Executive Director Large shareholder)
Shares Sold: 6,075,697 (-8.7%)
Price: USD 4.15
Total Value: USD 25,214,143

 

Meta Platforms Inc (META)
Seller: Zuckerberg Mark (COB and CEO)
Shares Sold: 3,862 (-76.0%)Price: USD 604.78
Total Value: USD 2,361,047 (This is one of many transactions by Zuckerberg, summing up to multiple sales on this day)

 

Altice USA Inc (ATUS)
Seller: Next Alt S.a.r.l. (Non-Executive Director Large shareholder)
Shares Sold: 268,410 (-4.4%)
Price: USD 25.68
Total Value: USD 6,893,735 (This was one of three transactions by the same insider, summing to a higher total)

 

Walmart Inc (WMT)
Seller: Walton Family Holdings Trust (Large shareholder)
Shares Sold: 2,635,844 (-0.4%)
Price: USD 90.34
Total Value: USD 238,113,449

 

Red Cat Holdings Inc (RCAT)
Seller: Thompson Jeffrey M (Chairman of the Board, CEO)
Shares Sold: 392,551 (-2.9%)
Price: USD 11.34
Total Value: USD 4,452,117

 

SS Innovations International Inc (SSII)
Seller: SRIVASTAVA SUDHIR (Chairman and CEO)
Shares Sold: 3,645,224 (-3.4%)
Price: USD 1.37
Total Value: USD 5,001,247

CDN Insider Purchases

Star Royalties Ltd (STRR)
Buyer: Zeta Resources Limited (Large shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 373,500 (+2.7%)
Price: CAD 0.28
Total Value: CAD 105,028

 

Great Pacific Gold Corp (GPAC)
Buyer: McCunn, Gregory John (Officer)
Shares Purchased: 333,334
Price: CAD 0.45
Total Value: CAD 150,000

 

Great Pacific Gold Corp (GPAC)
Buyer: Hethey, Charles (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 55,555
Price: CAD 0.70Total Value: CAD 38,889

 

WildBrain Ltd (WILD)
Buyer: Fine Capital Partners, L.P. (Large shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 84,550 (+0.2%)
Price: USD 1.09
Total Value: USD 92,354

 

Gear Energy Ltd (GXE)
Buyer: Johnson, Kevin David (Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 333,000 (+67.9%)
Price: CAD 0.47
Total Value: CAD 156,110

 

Aimia Inc (AIM)
Buyer: Summerton, Rhys Drennan (Deemed Insider – 6 Months before becoming Insider)
Shares Purchased: 123,000 (+111.8%)
Price: CAD 2.60
Total Value: CAD 319,800

 

SPOD LITHIUM CORP.
Buyer: Goldstein, Richard (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 500,000 (+264.6%)
Price: CAD 0.05
Total Value: CAD 25,000

 

George Weston Ltd (WN)
Buyer: Dalglish, Camilla H. (Director or Senior Officer of 10% Security Holder)
Shares Purchased: 3,000 (+16.9%)
Price: CAD 227.00
Total Value: CAD 681,000

CDN Insider Sales

Groupe Dynamite Inc.
Seller: Lutfy, Andrew (Executive Director Large shareholder)
Shares Sold: 648,157
Price: CAD 21.00
Total Value: CAD 13,611,297

 

Paramount Resources Ltd (POU)
Seller: HAN, MICHAEL S. (Officer)
Shares Sold: 8,320 (-36.6%)
Price: CAD 30.86
Total Value: CAD 256,788

 

Frontera Energy Corp (FEC)
Seller: Gramercy Funds Management LLC (Large shareholder)
Shares Sold: 33,060 (-1.5%)
Price: CAD 8.14
Total Value: CAD 269,108

 

Real Brokerage Inc (REAX)
Seller: Rose, Laurence David (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Sold: 5,000 (-0.4%)
Price: USD 4.62
Total Value: USD 23,107

 

Kinaxis Inc (KXS)
Seller: Bell, Andrew William Robert (Officer)
Shares Sold: 600 (-41.9%)
Price: CAD 177.14
Total Value: CAD 106,281

 

Fortis Inc (FTS)
Seller: Woodbury, Kevin (Officer)
Shares Sold: 2,468 (-13.9%)
Price: CAD 60.20
Total Value: CAD 148,562

Institutional Spotlight: Telephone & Data Systems (TDS)

This daily report focuses on significant institutional activity in the stock market, spotlighting TDS (Telephone & Data Systems Inc.) and the notable transactions from key investors.
TDS (Telephone & Data Systems Inc.) has recently seen a substantial increase in institutional ownership, primarily driven by Third Point LLC, managed by the renowned investor Dan Loeb. According to the latest filings, Third Point has increased its stake in TDS by 3,125,000 shares, bringing their total ownership to 6,000,000 shares. This represents a 52% increase from their previous holdings and now accounts for 5.70% of TDS’s shares outstanding. This development was reported on December 17, 2024, with the SEC accepting the filing on December 26, 2024, under the SC 13G form.
This aggressive acquisition by Third Point could signal strong confidence in TDS’s future prospects or strategic value. The increase in share count from such a high-profile investor often attracts additional attention from the market, potentially influencing both stock price and further institutional interest.
Key Insights for TDS:
  • Third Point LLC has significantly increased its stake, indicating a bullish outlook on TDS.
  • The 52% new shares bought by Third Point suggest a strategic move, possibly in anticipation of growth or restructuring within TDS.
Conclusion: The institutional investment landscape for TDS shows a marked uptick, with Third Point LLC’s recent investment being a pivotal move. This could herald a period of increased scrutiny and possibly enhanced valuation for TDS, as more investors might look to follow suit. Investors should keep a close watch on TDS for further developments, especially in light of this significant stake increase by a well-regarded activist investor. This report underscores the dynamic nature of institutional investment and its potential impact on stock performance.

Institutional Momentum Watchlists

Welcome to the Institutional Momentum Watchlist, an exclusive feature for our members. This list highlights stocks that have recently caught the attention of institutional investors, either through new purchases or significant additions. These stocks are selected based on promising technical setups that suggest potential momentum. Our systematic approach filters for opportunities where institutional sponsorship aligns with favorable technical conditions, offering a unique edge in your trading strategy. Keep an eye on this watchlist as we update it each weekend with the latest insights from the market.

Click on the CandleGlance chart to view it in full size. Find a chart that matches your criteria or interests. You can easily save it to your watchlist on StockCharts.com for further analysis and tracking or copy and paste the ticker list into your chart provider.

US Institutional Momentum Watchlist

EXPORT – US – Institutional – 2024-12-21

ELUT, XMTR, BTDR, CKPT, RDW, PSNL, MNKD, PLTR, INOD, LENZ, KINS, APP, CCL, REAL, SRRK, VEON, ARQT, LUNR, VSCO, NEXT, NCLH, CLBT, AXGN, MDGL, PRAX, GKOS, BLFS, DOCS, TOST, VCTR, CEE, HPE, RSI, MGNI, CHWY, WRBY, ONON, DTM, PMTS, ANET, EQH, MTZ, BROS, ELDN, WEAV, CRWD, Z, WLFC, KVYO, ARES, FCNCA, WGS, DECK, GRND, CLS, MRVL, FTNT, ATAT, WTM, GLBE, FOUR, CRDO, PTCT, OSW, SSNC, DUOL, ALLT, RBLX, DASH, VRNA, UAL, AXP, AAPL, CMPO, CIEN, TW, ZM, BMY, LITE, MIR, WIX, TARS, MRCY, GOOG, OWL, GILD, QTWO, GOOGL, KRNT, LUV, RDVT, NOW, HLT, TGNA, YPF, USM, FLUT, TSM, USFD, GPI, IBKR, BLK, SWI, AVGO, VUG, ROAD, KD, TGLS, FNGS, QFIN, SAP, ETR, GMED, NFLX, PRIM, AMZN, OB, PYPL, BSX, SWIM, DOCU, HCP, AUR

 

Canadian Institutional Momentum Watchlist

EXPORT – CDN – Institutional – 2024-12-21

APS.TO, BB.TO, GLO.TO, CNE.TO, TWM.TO, BLDP.TO, OGI.TO, ATZ.TO, PPTA.TO, GTII.CA, CWB.TO, CAE.TO, GLXY.TO, TVE.TO, WILD.TO, ET.TO, CRON.TO, SPB.TO, GOOS.TO, MTY.TO, ARG.TO, NFI.TO, EXE.TO, CLS.TO, HITI.V, CEF.TO, ECN.TO, VNP.TO, EIF.TO, ATD.TO, TSAT.TO, MDA.TO, TOY.TO, ENB.TO, EFN.TO, WSP.TO, WELL.TO, ATRL.TO, RCH.TO, ENGH.TO, VHI.TO, GWO.TO, IFC.TO, CPX.TO, MX.TO, ALA.TO, SVM.TO, SSRM.TO, ALS.TO, PIF.TO, EMA.TO, ARE.TO, GEI.TO, CEU.TO, DXT.TO, FFH.TO

 

To conclude our report, we thank you for your engagement and insights. Your feedback is valuable, and we encourage you to share your recommendations. Stay attentive to the Daily Setups, the Workspace, and the Watchlists for emerging opportunities. Additionally, explore the PDFs of the scanner results provided in the Daily Setups report. Until next time, happy trading!

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