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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.
e.l.f. Beauty Inc (ELF)
Sentiment: Neutral to Bearish
Options Activity: Significant call selling at a strike of $125 expiring on November 22, 2024, at a spot price of $117.83 (6.09% above the spot).
Total Values: Premium collected of $1,803,300 over 3,489 contracts, exceeding prior open interest.
Strike Price: $125
Market View: The selling of calls suggests a capped upside or confidence that ELF will not rise significantly beyond the strike before expiration.
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Large put buying at a $219 strike expiring on January 17, 2025, and significant call buying at a $236 strike expiring on December 20, 2024.
Total Values: Puts bought with a premium of $1,274,780 (26,656 contracts), and calls bought with $1,306,120 (821 contracts).
Strike Price: $219 (puts), $236 (calls)
Market View: Mixed activity indicates uncertainty, with some positioning for downside risk and others anticipating potential recovery.
Pinduoduo Inc (PDD)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Heavy call buying at a strike of $138 expiring on November 22, 2024, at a spot price of $116.51 (18.45% above spot).
Total Values: Premium paid of $1,560,000 across 20,063 contracts, exceeding prior open interest.
Strike Price: $138
Expectations: Pre-earnings positioning indicates optimism for a strong move upward in the short term.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA)
Sentiment: Bearish
Options Activity: Put buying at a strike of $82.5 expiring on January 17, 2025, at a spot price of $86.76 (4.9% below spot).
Total Values: Premium paid of $611,900 across 3,508 contracts.
Strike Price: $82.5
Market View: Pessimism around further declines in BABA’s stock price.
MicroStrategy Inc (MSTR)
Sentiment: Bearish
Options Activity: Large call selling at a $720 strike expiring on March 21, 2025, with a spot price of $477.74 (50.71% above spot).
Total Values: Premium collected of $12,874,200 over 839 contracts.
Strike Price: $720
Market View: Expectation of limited upside or potential stagnation in price growth.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)
Sentiment: Bearish
Options Activity: Heavy put buying at a strike of $135 expiring on May 16, 2025, at a spot price of $137.24 (-1.63% below spot).
Total Values: Premium paid of $2,856,000 across 1,287 contracts.
Strike Price: $135
Market View: Positioning reflects concern for downside movement.
Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
Sentiment: Mixed
Options Activity: Significant call buying and put selling across various strikes near the spot price ($475, $490). Contracts primarily expire in January 2025.
Total Values: Premiums ranged between $923,500 and $922,250 for calls.
Strike Price: $475, $490
Market View: Mixed sentiment reflects hedging and directional bets, indicating uncertainty around future tech stock performance.
Disney (DIS)
Sentiment: Neutral to Bullish
Options Activity: Selling puts at $115 expiring on December 20, 2024.
Total Values: $1,100,100 traded.
Strike Price: $115, spot price $112.99 (+1.78%).
Expectations: Stability anticipated above the $115 level.
United States Oil Fund (USO)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Buying calls at $60 expiring on January 17, 2025.
Total Values: $1,466,550.
Strike Price: $60 strike is 17.10% below the spot price of $72.375.
Expectations: Anticipating continued strength in oil prices.
Amazon (AMZN)
Sentiment: Bullish
Options Activity: Call buying at $150 for December 19, 2025.
Total Values: $2,333,240.
Strike Price: $150 strike is 25.24% below the spot price of $200.645.
Expectations: Long-term bullish sentiment driven by upside potential.
Medical Properties Trust (MPW)
Sentiment: Bearish
Options Activity: Heavy put buying at $7 expiring on January 16, 2026.
Total Values: Over $633,920 across several trades.
Strike Price: $7, significantly above the spot price of $4.17 (+68.07%).
Expectations: Bearish outlook or hedging against price declines.
Tesla (TSLA)
Sentiment: Bullish and Neutral
Options Activity: Multiple trades in calls and puts, notably $400 strike calls expiring January 17, 2025.
Total Values: $6,524,340 across trades.
Strike Price: $400, with spot price at $336.375 (+18.91%).
Expectations: Strong bullish sentiment for long-term upward movement.
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
MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI)
Buyer: Susan Ocampo (Non-Executive Director, Large Shareholder)
Shares Purchased: 356,700 (+6.0%)
Price: USD 118.30
Total Value: USD 42,197,610
Estee Lauder Companies Inc (EL)
Buyer: Paul J. Fribourg (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 57,485 (+18.5%)
Price: USD 64.35
Total Value: USD 3,699,160
Beneficient (BENF)
Buyer: Peter T. Cangany Jr. (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 50,000 (+100.0%)
Price: USD 0.92
Total Value: USD 46,000
Savara Inc (SVRA)
Buyer: Joseph S. McCracken (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 20,000 (+10.5%)
Price: USD 2.95
Total Value: USD 59,072
Digital Turbine Inc (APPS)
Buyer: Robert M. Deutschman (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Purchased: 20,000 (+3.5%)
Price: USD 1.23
Total Value: USD 24,600
US Insider Sales
Southwest Gas Holdings Inc (SWX)
Seller: Carl C. Icahn (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 1,390,000 (-12.6%)
Price: USD 76.74
Total Value: USD 106,668,600
MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI)
Seller: Susan Ocampo (Non-Executive Director, Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 243,300 (-3.6%)
Price: USD 118.30
Total Value: USD 28,782,390
Ecolab Inc (ECL)
Seller: William H. Gates III (Large Shareholder)
Shares Sold: 42,460 (-0.1%)
Price: USD 244.35
Total Value: USD 10,375,216
Unity Software Inc (U)
Seller: Shlomo Dovrat (Non-Executive Director)
Shares Sold: 62,481 (-100.0%)
Price: USD 19.04
Total Value: USD 1,189,638
Deckers Outdoor Corp (DECK)
Seller: Thomas Garcia (Chief Administrative Officer)
Shares Sold: 18,000 (-22.0%)
Price: USD 175.28
Total Value: USD 3,155,040
CDN Insider Purchases
Delta Resources Limited (DLTA)
Buyer: Ronald Kopas (Director of Issuer)
Shares Purchased: 10,257,072 (+170.8%)
Price: CAD 0.14
Total Value: CAD 1,435,990
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp (LGF.A)
Buyer: Liberty 77 Capital L.P. (10% Security Holder of Issuer)
Shares Purchased: 1,107,249 (+18.9%)
Price: USD 6.65
Total Value: USD 7,363,206
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp (LGF.A)
Buyer: Liberty 77 Fund International L.P. (10% Security Holder of Issuer)
Shares Purchased: 867,377 (+18.9%)
Price: USD 6.65
Total Value: USD 5,768,057
Altus Group Ltd (AIF)
Buyer: William Brennan (Director of Issuer)
Shares Purchased: 14,856 (+0.8%)
Price: CAD 56.01
Total Value: CAD 832,085
I-80 Gold Corp (IAU)
Buyer: Richard Scott Young (Director of Issuer, Senior Officer of Issuer)
Shares Purchased: 250,000 (+46.4%)
Price: CAD 0.69
Total Value: CAD 172,500
CDN Insider Sales
Suncor Energy Inc (SU)
Seller: Kristopher Peter Smith (Senior Officer of Issuer)
Shares Sold: 105,000 (-68.4%)
Price: CAD 57.10
Total Value: CAD 5,995,185
Great-West Lifeco Inc (GWO)
Seller: Charles Donald Harvey Henaire (Director or Senior Officer of Issuer)
Shares Sold: 26,400 (-58.0%)
Price: CAD 49.50
Total Value: CAD 1,306,800
Cameco Corp (CCO)
Seller: Brian Arthur Reilly (Senior Officer of Issuer)
Shares Sold: 14,062 (-33.5%)
Price: CAD 79.98
Total Value: CAD 1,124,679
Propel Holdings Inc (PRL)
Seller: Michael Stein (Director of Issuer)
Shares Sold: 30,000 (-7.5%)
Price: CAD 38.67
Total Value: CAD 1,160,121
Institutional Spotlight: Valero Energy (VLO)
Valero Energy Corporation has demonstrated robust institutional sponsorship, with 2,403 institutional owners collectively holding 298.69 million shares, representing a significant 94.33% of shares outstanding. This marks an increase of 1.19 million shares (+0.40%) quarter-over-quarter, indicating steady interest among institutional investors. The largest shareholders include prominent names such as Vanguard Group Inc, BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corp, along with major funds like VTSMX – Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares and XLE – The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund.
Valero’s share price has appreciated notably over the past year, rising from $124.73 on November 20, 2023, to $142.01 as of November 19, 2024, reflecting a solid 13.85% increase. This growth underscores the company’s appeal within the energy sector, supported by its inclusion in key funds like the Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) and the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD).
Recent institutional activity highlights a mix of new positions and increased holdings. Among notable transactions:
- POINT72 Asset Management LP, led by Steve Cohen, initiated a position of 1,014,735 shares, representing 0.50% portfolio weight.
- COVALIS CAPITAL LLP, under Zilvinas Mecelis, added 252,862 shares to hold 294,500 shares (5.93% portfolio weight), a significant 85.86% increase.
- HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC, managed by James Jampel, expanded its position by 43,299 shares to a total of 75,117 shares (1.27% portfolio weight), reflecting a notable 57.64% increase.
These developments illustrate active participation from hedge funds and asset managers, signaling confidence in Valero Energy’s performance potential. With increasing institutional investment and consistent price appreciation, Valero Energy Corporation continues to garner attention as a key player in the energy sector.
Key Insights Summary:
- Institutional ownership remains robust at over 94%, with a net increase of 1.19 million shares this quarter.
- Leading investors include Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street, alongside active positions from high-profile funds such as POINT72 and COVALIS CAPITAL.
- Share price growth of 13.85% year-over-year highlights resilience and investor confidence.
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 – 2024-11-17
AA, ALL, AM, AMP, AON, APD, APP, ATMU, AY, BAC, BGC, BK, BKNG, BKU, BLCO, BLK, BOKF, BTDR, BX, CAVA, CBU, CFFN, CFG, CIFR, CLS, CORZ, CRS, CVNA, CWAN, DGX, DLR, DTM, EME, ETR, EVRG, FCF, FCNCA, FI, FIX, FRME, FTAI, GPI, GTES, HOMB, HPQ, IBKR, INDB, IP, ITT, JPM, KGS, KMPR, LLYVA, LMB, LNT, MA, MAA, NATL, NDAQ, NN, NRG, NWBI, OFIX, OGE, OMF, OOMA, ORI, PFS, PGRU, PIPR, PLTR, PPC, PPL, PYPL, RBC, RDW, RGA, RYAN, SFM, SGHC, SNT, SPG, SRDX, SRE, SWX, TBBK, TJX, TOST, TPC, TSLA, TW, UAL, UNFI, VST, WEC, WELL, WRBY, XLF, YPF, ZIM, ZWS
Canadian Institutional Momentum Watchlist
EXPORT – CDN – Institutional – 2024-11-17
ACO/X.TO, AD/UN.TO, ALA.TO, AP/UN.TO, BDGI.TO, BMO.TO, BNS.TO, CCO.TO, CF.TO, CLS.TO, CTC/A.TO, CU.TO, CWB.TO, DBM.TO, DML.TO, DOL.TO, ECN.TO, EFX.TO, EMA.TO, EMP/A.TO, EXE.TO, FC.TO, FIL.TO, FRU.TO, FSV.TO, FSZ.TO, GFL.TO, GLO.TO, GLXY.TO, GOLD.TO, GWO.TO, H.TO, JWEL.TO, KEY.TO, L.TO, LB.TO, MG.TO, NA.TO, NVA.TO, NVEI.TO, NXE.TO, PET.TO, PIF.TO, POW.TO, PRL.TO, PZA.TO, QTRH.TO, RUS.TO, SRU/UN.TO, SU.TO, TOT.TO, TPZ.TO, TRP.TO, URE.TO, WN.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!