7/31/2009 2:31 PM
permanent linkKeywords:
AAPL
Call volume spiked yesterday on Apple Inc. (AAPL), as traders on the International Securities Exchange (ISE) bought to open 15,593 of these bullish bets, compared to just 7,277 puts. In other words, calls were more than twice as popular as their bearish counterparts.
In fact, this preference for calls has been a trend on the ISE. During the past 10 trading sessions, roughly 1.5 calls have been bought to open for every one put purchased to open, resulting in a 10-day call/put volume ratio that rests near the midpoint of its annual range. This mediocre reading indicates that there is ample room left on the bullish bandwagon.
However, AAPL's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.09 tells quite a different story. Specifically, this ratio places puts in near parity with calls among options with less than three months until expiration. What's more, it falls just one percentage point shy of an annual bearish peak. With call buying gaining momentum on the ISE, we could be on the verge of a shift in sentiment among options traders. Such a shift, from bearish to bullish, could provide lift for AAPL shares.
From a technical perspective, there is plenty to be bullish about in regard to AAPL. The stock is currently sitting on a year-to-date gain of more than 90%, and has outpaced the S&P 500 Index (SPX) on a relative-strength basis by nearly 15% during the prior 60 trading days. Currently, AAPL is challenging potential short-term resistance in the 65 area, while extending its gains along support at its 10-day and 40-day moving averages. Another leg higher from AAPL could force more speculative options traders to capitulate to the uptrend.
-posted by Joseph Hargett