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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 2025-3-4

The following analysis focuses on the Stock Options Flow Leaderboard for the trading day 2025-3-4. 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.

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Significant call buying with $113.69M in call premium purchased versus $85.66M in calls sold. Put buying totaled $73.62M, but a substantial $129.54M in puts were sold, indicating strong confidence in price stability or further upside.
Total Values: Net premium of $83.96M
Expectations: The options activity suggests institutional traders are positioning for upside, with aggressive call buying and a large amount of put selling reinforcing a bullish stance.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought totaled $3.24M versus minimal call selling at $161K. Put buying was $8.53M, but there was no significant call selling, and put selling was absent.
Total Values: Net premium of $11.61M
Expectations: The activity suggests institutional traders are bullish on JPM, with call buyers outpacing sellers and minimal hedging via puts.

Spotify Technology S.A. (SPOT)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: A large call purchase worth $8.58M with negligible put activity indicates bullish positioning.
Total Values: Net premium of $8.56M
Expectations: With calls being the dominant trade and no meaningful put activity, institutions appear to be betting on further gains in SPOT.

Chubb Limited (CB)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: A single high-value call purchase of $8.35M with no other notable activity.
Total Values: Net premium of $8.35M
Expectations: This isolated call buying suggests confidence in CB’s upside, likely by a single large institution.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Call premium bought totaled $3.61M, but call selling was slightly higher at $4.16M. Put buying was at $3.15M, while put selling was substantially larger at $9.84M.
Total Values: Net premium of $6.15M
Expectations: Despite slightly more call selling, the large put selling suggests institutions are confident in SMCI holding above key levels, contributing to a mixed but leaning bullish outlook.

General Electric Company (GE)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Call purchases at $5.95M with no meaningful put buying and a minor put trade at $103K.
Total Values: Net premium of $6.06M
Expectations: The concentration of call buying without put hedging suggests institutions are positioning for upside.

Arista Networks Inc (ANET)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Calls bought at $98K and sold at $117K, while put buying was significantly higher at $604K, but large put selling at $6.39M offsets the bearish impact.
Total Values: Net premium of $5.76M
Expectations: While there is notable put activity, the sheer scale of put selling indicates confidence in price stability, making the sentiment mixed but with a bullish bias.

Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Calls bought totaled $680K, but put buying was significantly larger at $7.53M. However, put selling at $12.07M offsets this.
Total Values: Net premium of $5.19M
Expectations: Heavy put selling suggests institutions expect VRT to hold firm, despite elevated put buying.

Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought at $9.59M, calls sold at $7.23M, while put selling at $5.88M outweighed put buying at $3.05M.
Total Values: Net premium of $5.18M
Expectations: The activity leans bullish, with more calls being bought and a significant amount of put selling.

DoorDash, Inc. (DASH)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Minimal call activity, but $4.93M in puts were sold.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.93M
Expectations: Heavy put selling with little put buying suggests strong institutional confidence in price stability.

Micron Technology, Inc. (MU)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Calls bought totaled $1.29M, slightly less than calls sold at $1.77M. Put buying stood at $2.38M, but put selling at $7.63M outweighed it.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.77M
Expectations: The put selling activity signals confidence in support levels holding, making the sentiment mixed with a bullish lean.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Calls bought at $17.69M, but significant put buying at $15.15M creates a hedged position. Put selling was at $5.85M.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.61M
Expectations: The high put buying suggests hedging, while put selling indicates stability. Sentiment is mixed.

Wells Fargo & Company (WFC)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought at $4.50M, while put selling at $1.23M outweighed put buying.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.51M
Expectations: Call buying and put selling confirm bullish sentiment.

SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought at $1.71M, while put selling stood at $7.26M, heavily outweighing put buying at $2.62M.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.47M
Expectations: The large put selling suggests confidence in price stability.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought at $4.11M, with minimal put buying at $95K and moderate put selling at $1.01M.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.29M
Expectations: Call buying and put selling suggest bullish sentiment.

Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Calls bought at $8.20M, but put buying at $6.94M indicates hedging.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.24M
Expectations: While bullish, put buying tempers the sentiment slightly.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: A single put sell worth $4.01M with no other activity.
Total Values: Net premium of $4.01M
Expectations: The put selling suggests confidence in stability.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Call selling at $318K, but put selling at $3.83M offsets the impact.
Total Values: Net premium of $3.51M
Expectations: The put selling suggests bullishness, but call selling tempers it.

Carvana Co. (CVNA)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought at $5.81M, put buying at $4.77M, but put selling at $4.96M outweighed bearish activity.
Total Values: Net premium of $3.11M
Expectations: Despite put buying, put selling and call buying indicate a bullish bias.

Intel Corporation (INTC)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Calls bought at $7.46M, put selling at $5.63M.
Total Values: Net premium of $3.06M
Expectations: The put selling and call buying suggest a bullish outlook.

Individual Options Trades: Trading Day 2025-3-4

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.

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (CRDO)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: A trader sold puts expiring on May 16, 2025, with a strike price of $55 while the spot price was $54.89.
Total Values: $910,000
Strike Price: $55
Expectations: The put selling indicates confidence that CRDO will stay above $55 over the next 73 days, suggesting a bullish stance ahead of earnings and SSR activity.

Aspirational Technology (ASPI)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Traders bought calls expiring on July 18, 2025, at a $5 strike price. These trades occurred with spot prices at $4.16 and $3.87, showing notable size exceeding prior open interest.
Total Values: $279,750
Strike Price: $5
Expectations: The call buying suggests traders anticipate ASPI rising above $5 within the next 136 days, with SSR activity potentially influencing price action.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Multiple call buys for the June 20, 2025, expiration at a $12 strike price, with trades executed at various spot prices, all significantly above the strike price.
Total Values: $1,157,800
Strike Price: $12
Expectations: The aggressive call buying suggests traders are positioning for a move well above $12 within the next 108 days, signaling strong bullish momentum.

Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: A series of call buys for the March 21, 2025, expiration at an $11 strike price. The trades were executed at different spot prices, slightly above or near the strike.
Total Values: $242,671
Strike Price: $11
Expectations: The call buying suggests traders expect VIAV to remain above $11 over the next 17 days, with momentum-driven positioning ahead of expiration.

Astera labs (ALAB)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: A trader sold puts expiring on January 15, 2027, at a $77.50 strike price while the spot price was $69.64.
Total Values: $1,739,390
Strike Price: $77.50
Expectations: The put selling suggests confidence in ALAB staying above $77.50 over the next 682 days, a long-term bullish bet.

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

FMC Corp (FMC)
Buyer: Pierre R. Brondeau (Chairman and CEO)
Shares Purchased: 54,000 (+22.1%)
Price: USD 35.90
Total Value: USD 1,938,449

Fifth Era Acquisition Corp I (FERA)
Buyer: Fifth Era Acquisition Sponsor I LLC (Large Shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 380,000 (+inf%)
Price: USD 10.00
Total Value: USD 3,800,000

Vista Credit Strategic Lending Corp (NONE)
Buyer: Intercorp Peru Ltd (Large Shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 41,117 (+1.7%)
Price: USD 19.70
Total Value: USD 810,000

Codexis Inc (CDXS)
Buyer: Opaleye Management Inc. (Large Shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 47,351 (+0.5%)
Price: USD 2.81
Total Value: USD 133,165

US Insider Sales

Eli Lilly and Co (LLY)
Seller: Lilly Endowment Inc (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 68,251 (-0.1%)
Price: USD 929.73
Total Value: USD 63,454,661

Seller: Lilly Endowment Inc (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 25,984 (-0.0%)
Price: USD 928.98
Total Value: USD 24,138,720

Seller: Lilly Endowment Inc (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 25,057 (-0.0%)
Price: USD 930.74
Total Value: USD 23,321,552

Seller: Lilly Endowment Inc (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 18,828 (-0.0%)
Price: USD 922.42
Total Value: USD 17,367,343

Seller: Lilly Endowment Inc (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 17,393 (-0.0%)
Price: USD 931.82
Total Value: USD 16,207,093

PepsiCo Inc (PEP)
Seller: Ramon Laguarta (Chairman and CEO)
Shares Sold: 50,000 (-9.6%)
Price: USD 154.90
Total Value: USD 7,744,890

Seller: Steven C. Williams (CEO, North America)
Shares Sold: 17,978 (-12.8%)
Price: USD 150.89
Total Value: USD 2,712,733

Seller: Eugene Willemsen (CEO, International Beverages)
Shares Sold: 10,000 (-39.2%)
Price: USD 154.33
Total Value: USD 1,543,308

Seller: Krishnan Ramkumar (CEO, U.S. Beverages)
Shares Sold: 9,700 (-15.7%)
Price: USD 150.91
Total Value: USD 1,463,812

Seller: David Flavell (EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary)
Shares Sold: 6,906 (-13.9%)
Price: USD 150.90
Total Value: USD 1,042,144

Clean Harbors Inc (CLH)
Seller: Alan S. McKim (Executive Chair, CTO)
Shares Sold: 50,000 (-2.0%)
Price: USD 210.18
Total Value: USD 10,509,000

Synopsys Inc (SNPS)
Seller: Sassine Ghazi (President and CEO)
Shares Sold: 11,366 (-13.8%)
Price: USD 463.75
Total Value: USD 5,270,969

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC)
Seller: John Q. Doyle (President and CEO)
Shares Sold: 21,080 (-19.4%)
Price: USD 237.05
Total Value: USD 4,997,014

Fiserv Inc (FISV)
Seller: John Gibbons (EVP, Head of Financial Institutions Group)
Shares Sold: 13,560 (-32.9%)
Price: USD 238.15
Total Value: USD 3,229,314

BlackRock Capital Allocation Trust (BCAT)
Seller: Saba Capital Management, L.P. (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 161,654 (-1.3%)
Price: USD 15.49
Total Value: USD 2,504,020

Southern Co (SO)
Seller: Christopher C. Womack (Chairman, President & CEO)
Shares Sold: 24,407 (-21.8%)
Price: USD 90.13
Total Value: USD 2,199,803

CDN Insider Purchases

Organigram Holdings Inc (OGI)
Buyer: British American Tobacco p.l.c. (10% Security Holder)
Shares Purchased: 7,562,447 (+23.2%)
Price: CAD 3.22
Total Value: CAD 24,353,348

Buyer: British American Tobacco p.l.c. (10% Security Holder)
Shares Purchased: 5,330,728 (+63.0%)
Price: CAD 3.22
Total Value: CAD 17,166,543

National Bank of Canada (NA)
Buyer: Macky Tall (Director)
Shares Purchased: 4,182
Price: CAD 119.14
Total Value: CAD 498,243

Precision Drilling Corp (PD)
Buyer: Carey Thomas Ford (Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 6,000 (+9.6%)
Price: USD 49.87
Total Value: USD 299,220

Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd (TVE)
Buyer: Brian Leslie Schmidt (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 84,734
Price: CAD 4.55
Total Value: CAD 385,540

Buyer: Steven Buytels (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 57,050 (+5.0%)
Price: CAD 4.55
Total Value: CAD 259,578

Buyer: Kevin Screen (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 46,073 (+3.5%)
Price: CAD 4.54
Total Value: CAD 209,171

Buyer: Scott Shimek (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 34,678 (+11.2%)
Price: CAD 4.54
Total Value: CAD 157,438

Buyer: Benjamin Wayne Stoodley (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 33,713 (+24.6%)
Price: CAD 4.54
Total Value: CAD 153,057

Buyer: Lynne Patricia Chrumka (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 31,837 (+19.3%)
Price: CAD 4.54
Total Value: CAD 144,540

Buyer: Christine Ezinga (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 30,266 (+10.5%)
Price: CAD 4.54
Total Value: CAD 137,408

Mullen Group Ltd (MTL)
Buyer: Richard Fredrick Whitley (Director)
Shares Purchased: 11,275 (+168.3%)
Price: CAD 13.09
Total Value: CAD 147,590

Nutrien Ltd (NTR)
Buyer: Mark Thompson (Senior Officer)
Shares Purchased: 1,350 (+5.9%)
Price: CAD 71.89
Total Value: CAD 97,052

CDN Insider Sales

Sprott Inc (SII)
Seller: John A. Ciampaglia (Executive Director)
Shares Sold: 50,000 (-39.4%)
Price: CAD 60.55
Total Value: CAD 3,027,500

Kneat.com Inc (KSI)
Seller: Keith Holmes (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 135,447 (-58.0%)
Price: CAD 6.82
Total Value: CAD 923,600

iA Financial Corporation Inc (IAG)
Seller: Renée Laflamme (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 8,000 (-40.7%)
Price: CAD 134.42
Total Value: CAD 1,075,359

Bank of Montreal (BMO)
Seller: Nadim Hirji (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 3,238
Price: CAD 148.87
Total Value: CAD 482,025

Seller: Sharon Marie Haward-Laird (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 2,230
Price: CAD 148.04
Total Value: CAD 330,134

Shopify Inc (SHOP)
Seller: Harley Michael Finkelstein (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 1,711 (-19.1%)
Price: USD 109.74
Total Value: USD 187,771

Seller: Jeff Hoffmeister (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 1,653 (-3.4%)
Price: USD 109.74
Total Value: USD 181,406

Seller: Jessica Hertz (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 1,346 (-9.5%)
Price: USD 109.74
Total Value: USD 147,715

Eldorado Gold Corp (ELD)
Seller: George Raymond Burns (Executive Director)
Shares Sold: 7,590 (-1.6%)
Price: CAD 19.61
Total Value: CAD 148,854

Seller: Paul Anthony Ferneyhough (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 2,537 (-12.3%)
Price: CAD 19.61
Total Value: CAD 49,755

Seller: Sylvain Lehoux (Senior Officer)
Shares Sold: 2,502
Price: CAD 19.61
Total Value: CAD 49,069

Institutional Spotlight: Laird Superfood (LSF)

Laird Superfood (NYSEAM: LSF) has seen a notable shift in institutional sponsorship, with institutional ownership increasing by 46.51% in the most recent quarter. The company now has 63 institutional owners, all of which hold long-only positions, underscoring confidence in the stock’s potential upside. Institutions collectively own 1,653,107 shares, representing 16.05% of total shares outstanding, an increase of 0.49 million shares (41.87%) in the last quarter.

Portfolio allocation to Laird Superfood has surged, with the average institutional allocation jumping 843.32% quarter-over-quarter, suggesting a growing conviction among major shareholders. Leading institutional holders include Renaissance Technologies LLC, Marshall Wace LLP, Vanguard Group Inc., and Two Sigma Investments LP, among others. The presence of well-regarded quantitative and asset management firms suggests interest from a diverse set of investment strategies, ranging from passive index tracking to algorithmic trading.

While Laird Superfood remains a niche player in the consumer sector, the uptick in institutional involvement signals increased interest in the company’s growth prospects. The mix of large investment funds and hedge funds could indicate expectations of operational improvements or potential strategic developments. The absence of short-only institutional positions further reinforces the predominantly bullish stance among major stakeholders.

Institutional Momentum Watchlists

(Stocks are sorted to highlight those with the strongest momentum at the time of the scan)

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 – 2025-03-01

IBIO, BNTC, PTCT, ROOT, ARQT, RDVT, HCI, PENN, FWONK, AM, BAC, CDTX, CWAN, PRCH, CRS, WBD, PRTH, CRBG, DAVE, VRNA, TVTX, ATAT, WMB, BROS, TW, FLUT, CVKD, INSM, TRGP, CHWY, MMM, AXGN, BSX, SPOT, GS, TOST, DRI, LPLA, GE, DORM, SATS, COST, DKNG, ADSE, VNO, OGE, MRCY, NDAQ, ETR, EPR, HWM, BK, MP, VRSK, EXPE, HLT, MCO, WFC, PPL, HMN, PMTS, JPM, SOC, NRIM, FOXA, ALL, GILD, USFD, XLF, HOMB, MA, BKNG, PAYX, SNOW, V, BRBS, FRME, SPG, AAPL, CNP, T, GRND, RTX, XEL, WMT, RSG, MKL, WGS, NFLX, COF, TTWO, EZPW, FARO, FI, ORI, HTGC, STT, FMS, JCI, CHKP, MDGL, EQH, OUT, ETON, SKY, FRHC, GTES, SPGI, ABT, CAH, ONB, CME, NUTX, PANW, ARIS, DVAX, MWA, DOCS, CBSH, ORLY, SGI, TGNA, TRV, PAYC, DTE, ENFN, PEN, MO, TFC, BMY, KR, AJG, SR, CFG, DASH, GSHD, TPR, LH, WELL, LBRDK, AON, EBC, APD, GPI, PGR, SBUX, CMI, DPG, PPC, LNT, WDAY, BHF, SSNC, TJX, WEC, INDB, CRH, COMM, EXC, KD, LOPE, AXSM, WLFC, USM, AN, ADT, FTNT, PM, RPRX, COOP, DGX, AB, SE, LFST, UNFI, NRG, PBI, AER, EVRG, YMM, FFIV, CSCO, NTNX, RBC, GRAB, KAI, IP, JAZZ, ALTR, DE

Canadian Institutional Momentum Watchlist

EXPORT – CDN – Institutional – 2025-03-01

EXE.TO, TAL.TO, GFL.TO, WDO.TO, ENB.TO, TMQ.TO, IGM.TO, X.TO, WILD.TO, BAM.TO, DFY.TO, FFH.TO, CSU.TO, DPM.TO, EQX.TO, AGF/B.TO, WPM.TO, L.TO, ALA.TO, DR.TO, WN.TO, MFC.TO, IFC.TO, ACO/X.TO, FNV.TO, AGI.TO, POW.TO, DOL.TO, MND.TO, EMA.TO, GWO.TO, CAE.TO, IAG.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!