Noteworthy Friday Option Activity: MRK, ABT, ISRG

Looking at options trading activity among components of the Russell 3000 index, there is noteworthy activity today in Merck & Co Inc (Symbol: MRK), where a total volume of 39,036 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximately 3.9 million underlying shares (given that every 1 contract represents 100 underlying shares). That number works out to 50.3% of MRK's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 7.8 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $100 strike put option expiring April 19, 2024, with 7,263 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 726,300 underlying shares of MRK. Below is a chart showing MRK's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $100 strike highlighted in orange:

Abbott Laboratories (Symbol: ABT) saw options trading volume of 22,520 contracts, representing approximately 2.3 million underlying shares or approximately 49.7% of ABT's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 4.5 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $106 strike put option expiring April 05, 2024, with 2,764 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 276,400 underlying shares of ABT. Below is a chart showing ABT's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $106 strike highlighted in orange:

And Intuitive Surgical Inc (Symbol: ISRG) saw options trading volume of 7,199 contracts, representing approximately 719,900 underlying shares or approximately 49.5% of ISRG's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 1.5 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $400 strike call option expiring March 22, 2024, with 367 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 36,700 underlying shares of ISRG. Below is a chart showing ISRG's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $400 strike highlighted in orange:

For the various different available expirations for MRK options, ABT options, or ISRG options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.

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