Implied Volatility Mover
Implied volatility in United Healthcare (UNH) is moving higher amid weakness in some of the managed care names after Medicare released new rules that will affect the industry. UNH is down $1.11 to $56.21 in active trading of more than 8 million shares. 8,850 calls and 9,450 puts traded on the stock. March 55 calls, April 55 puts and April 55 calls are the most actives and 30-day implied volatility in United Healthcare options is up 25 percent to 20.5.
Volume Signals
Blackstone (BX) options volume is running 8.5X the (22-day) average, with 129,000 contracts traded and call volume accounting for 98 percent of the volume.
CBS options volume is 3.5X, the average daily, with 56,000 contracts traded and call volume representing 93 percent of the activity.
Staples (SPLS) options volume is running 4.5X the average daily, with 37,000 contracts traded and call volume accounting for 76 percent of the activity.
Increasing options activity is also being seen in Heinz (HNZ), Pepsico (PEP), and United Healthare (UNH).
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