DF ? Dean Foods Co.
Shares in the producer of a variety of plant-based beverages and branded and private label dairy products started the session in negative territory, but have since turned positive to trade 0.30% higher on the day at $16.59 as of 11:20 a.m. ET. Options on Dean Foods Co. are more active than usual today, with volume in excess of 1,500 contracts versus the stock?s average daily volume of 692 contracts.
Strategies in play this morning suggest some traders are positioning for Dean?s shares to tick higher in the near term, while others are bracing for a possible pullback in the weeks ahead. The stock has gained more than 90% since this time last year. A 200-lot Oct. $14/$16 debit put spread initiated at a net premium of $0.35 per contract may be an outright bearish stance on the food and beverage company, or could be a hedge to protect the value of a long position in the shares.
The spread makes money if Dean Foods Co. shares decline 6% to breach the breakeven price of $15.65 by October expiration. Maximum potential profits of $1.65 per contract are available on the position in the event DF shares drop 16% to $14.00.
Meanwhile, one or more traders preparing for shares in the name to rally ahead of expiration next month purchased more than 720 calls at a premium of $0.40 each. Call buyers make money if DF shares rally 5% to top the average breakeven price of $17.40 by October expiration. Dean?s shares last traded above $17.40 back on August 8th when the stock hit a two-year high of $17.50.
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