Credit: Shutterstock photoNearing the halfway mark in today's session, here are the individual equity names with unusual option activity on optionMONSTER's ActionTracker data system.
Merck (MRK): A trader bought 9,492 January 52.50 calls for $1.64 and sold an equal number of February 52.50s for $2.16. Volume was below open interest in the shorter-dated contracts, which suggests an existing short position was rolled forward in time. Making the adjustment generated a credit of $0.52. MRK fell 0.46 percent to $53.44.
Post (POST): An investor bought 3,000 March 70 calls for $4.72 and sold 3,000 March 80 calls for $1.92. The call spread for $2.80, with the potential to earn 250 percent if the food stock closes at $80 or higher on expiration. POST fell 0.36 percent to $66.08. (See full post on InsideOptions Pro)
Ashland (ASH): Traders sold 6,500 January 100 puts sold for $0.70 to $0.75, looking for the chemical stock to hold its ground. ASH fell 1.10 percent to $109.68. (See full story )
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
