Steel and aluminum stocks -- not unlike silver producers -- are on the rise today, thanks to upbeat analyst attention, and after United Steelworkers (USW) filed an official complaint over vast aluminum imports "and failed trade policies that have decimated American manufacturing." The International Trade Commission is overseeing an investigation on the matter, and is due to make a preliminary ruling by June 17. Three stocks breaking out today -- in spite of lingering skepticism -- include Century Aluminum Co (NASDAQ:CENX), Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA), and AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS).

• CENX is up 12.7% at $8.36, and has added 88.7% year-to-date atop support from its rising 10-week moving average. Options on the equity are light in absolute volume, but at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio sits at a whopping 32.29 -- in the 91st percentile of its annual range. Today, CENX calls are trading at 17 times their average intraday rate. There appears to be some buy-to-open activity at the May 9 and 10 calls. That means buyers are betting that Century Aluminum Co (NASDAQ:CENX) will extend its rally above the $9 or $10 level before May 20, when the front-month options expire. But all three analysts providing coverage on the stock maintain a lukewarm "hold" rating. And short interest, though down nearly 7% during the most-recent two-week reporting period, still accounts for about 23% of CENX's available float. CENX is due to report quarterly earnings next Thursday. A positive earnings surprise could translate into a round of upgrades, or a mass exodus of option bears or lingering shorts.

• AA has added 2.1% to trade at $10.31 -- a year-to-date high -- still enjoying support above its 40- and 200-day moving averages, and extending its rally above the round-number $10 level. Like CENX, AA has seen short interest fall slightly in recent weeks, but these bearish bets still account for 12.3% of the stock's total float, or more than six sessions' worth of pent-up buying power, at AA's typical daily pace. Sentiment from the options pits has been especially pessimistic lately, with the equity's 50-day put/call volume ratio at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX now parked at an annual peak of 1.04. And unwinding of bearish sentiment in light of the stock's continued strong performance could help drive the shares of Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) even higher.

• AKS has been on a tear lately, and is ahead 4.1% at $5.09 -- its highest point since June -- bringing its 2016 lead to an astounding 127%. The stock has outperformed the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by 133 percentage points over the last three months, yet 11 out of 13 brokerage firms rate it a "hold" or worse, with a consensus 12-month price target of just $3.40. Today, however, Barclays raised its price target on AKS to $3 from $2 citing rising steel prices. Short interest also represents over 21% of AKS' available float. And in the options pits, the stock's 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 0.84 is higher than 88% of all readings in the past year. Today, AKS options are crossing the tape at three times their usual intraday pace, with 17,000 puts traded so far -- well over twice the number of calls. The company will step into the earnings confessional next Tuesday, and the stock has enjoyed a positive one-day post-earnings swing in six of the last eight quarters -- including the last five in a row. A positive earnings surprise could send bears to the exits and help AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS) in its quest for annual highs.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap to get all the day's big stock movers, must-know technical levels, and top economic stories straight to your inbox.

Analysts are weighing in on oil-and-gas stocks Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN), Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), and Range Resources Corp. (NYSE:RRC). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on DVN, CHK, and RRC.

• DVN has tacked on 5% to trade at $33.60, after Morgan Stanley boosted its rating to "overweight," and Susquehanna raised its price target on the stock to $39 from $30. Today's move has Devon Energy Corp back in the black year-to-date, and going head-to-head with its declining 160-day moving average -- a level the shares haven't cleared on a closing basis since last June. Option traders appear to be betting on more gains. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the equity's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 4.04 ranks higher than 92% of the past year's readings -- and represents a significant shift in sentiment over recent months.

• A price-target hike to $5.50 from $4.50 at Susquehanna has helped boost CHK 3.2% to $6.15, bringing its year-to-date lead to nearly 37%. In fact, the stock is now on track to close above its 200-day moving average for the first time since September 2014. Still, the shares could stand to benefit from more bullish attention among the brokerage bunch, as just 5% rate Chesapeake Energy Corporation better than a "hold." While option traders have been fairly optimistic lately, puts are outstripping calls today by a 3-to-1 margin, with huge volume and buy-to-open action spotted on CHK's weekly 4/22 6-strike put.

• RRC is up 3.2% at $38.26, after Susquehanna increased its price target to $43 from $40 -- following the lead of numerous analysts in recent weeks. Range Resources Corp. is up 55.5% in 2016, and recently broke through long-standing resistance at its 200-day moving average. But more than half of the brokerage firms following the equity rate it a "hold" or "strong sell." And RRC has a Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.69 -- in the 86th percentile of its annual range -- indicating near-term open interest levels are more put-heavy than usual.

For other stocks in analysts' crosshairs, read Analyst Upgrades: International Business Machines Corp., Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc, and Panera Bread Co and Analyst Downgrades: Netflix, Inc., Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and Illumina, Inc.

After initially rising on a weaker U.S. dollar and rising oil prices, Asian stocks finished the day mostly lower. China's Shanghai Composite led the way south, dropping 2.3% -- its biggest single-day percentage loss since late February -- with some speculating the loss was driven by short-term liquidity concerns and uncertainty over future stimulus measures. Likewise, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively. Bucking the trend lower, Japan's Nikkei picked up 0.2%, aided by a relatively weaker yen.

European markets are mostly higher today, shaking off a retreat in crude oil prices thanks to a rally among mining stocks. Upbeat earnings also are serving as a positive catalyst, with strong gains from AccorHotels contributing to the French CAC 40's 0.2% lead. Germany's DAX is on the plus side of the ledger, as well, up 0.2%. Meanwhile, London's FTSE 100 has edged 0.1% lower, as a rise in the U.K. unemployment rate -- the first since last July -- overshadows a positive earnings reaction for ARM Holdings.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap to get all the day's big stock movers, must-know technical  levels, and top economic stories straight to your inbox.

Analysts are weighing in on blue chip Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), telecom stock CalAmp Corp. (NASDAQ:CAMP), and chipmaker Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on AAPL, CAMP, and INTC.

• AAPL is slightly lower in pre-market trading, after Barclays reduced its price target to $131 from $142, but kept its "overweight" rating. The vast majority of analysts are bullish on Apple Inc., but options traders have taken an uncharacteristically bearish approach in recent months. Specifically, AAPL's 50-day put/call volume ratio of 0.68 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) tops 91% of all other readings from the past year. Technically speaking, the stock was gaining ground since its January lows, but has cooled in recent sessions, closing Tuesday at $106.91. 

• CAMP is set to lose almost 13% when the market opens due to a poorly received earnings report. Analysts were quick to swoop in, with William Blair downgrading the stock to "market perform," while no fewer than four other brokerage firms lowered their price targets. It's already been a disappointing year for CalAmp Corp., with the shares 12.5% lower year-to-date, last seen at $17.43. Short interest has been rising as a result, jumping 14% during the last two reporting periods. Now, almost 12% of CAMP's float is sold short, representing seven sessions' worth of trading, at the stock's typical daily volume. 

• Along with announcing earnings in line with expectations, INTC said it would be cutting roughly 12,000 jobs, or 11% of its workforce. The move comes as Intel Corporation tries to counter falling PC sales. INTC had been consolidating just above $31 in recent sessions, closing Tuesday at $31.60 -- slightly shy of its year-over-year breakeven mark. Elsewhere on the Street, analysts are trimming their expectations, with Northland Capital cutting its rating to "market perform" from "outperform," and its price target to $35 from $40. Goldman Sachs and Cowen also lowered their respective price targets to $33 and $32 -- though Jefferies raised its target to $42, in 15-year high territory. Most analysts were in the bulls' camp as of last night's close, with 71% calling INTC a "buy" or better. The shares are set to drop 1.8% at the bell.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

U.S. stocks are signaling a flat start, as traders react to the latest blue-chip earnings reports. Among equities in focus today are tech giant Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL), TV programming peddler DISH Network Corp (NASDAQ:DISH), and printing specialist Lexmark International Inc (NYSE:LXK).

• European Union (EU) antitrust regulators officially charged GOOGL with abusing its "dominant" position in the mobile market via its Android operating system. "Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players," said Margrethe Vestager, antitrust commissioner for the EU. Of course, this bad press didn't stop Moffett Nathanson from bumping its price target on Alphabet Inc stock up to $900, representing all-time-high territory. This enthusiasm is common among the brokerage crowd, as 31 of 33 analysts rate the shares a "buy" or better, with not a single "sell" opinion to be found. Last night, GOOGL settled at $776.25, just below its year-to-date breakeven mark. Coming up tomorrow night, the tech firm will report first-quarter earnings.

• In the throes of a carriage-deal dispute with Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB), DISH delivered better-than-expected quarterly earnings per share, but revenue fell just shy of the consensus estimate, due to a steeper-than-forecast drop-off in pay-TV subscribers. Ahead of the bell, DISH Network Corp is pointed 4% higher. Longer term, 2016 has been a bloodbath for the stock, which is down more than 17% to trade at $47.32. Not surprisingly, short-term options traders are far more put-focused than usual at the moment. DISH's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.19 ranks just 2 percentage points from a 12-month high.

• LXK is signaling a more than 10% jump at the open, after the firm agreed to be bought by a consortium of Chinese investors, led by Apex Technology, for $3.6 billion, or $40.50 per share. Last night, the stock settled at $34.66, but its expected gap higher will put it in territory not charted since July. Call buying has been all the rage lately at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). Lexmark International Inc's 10-day call/put volume ratio across those exchanges is 109.93, which ranks in the 93rd percentile of its annual range.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

Analysts are weighing in on tech stock Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), medical equipment designer Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), and virtualization firm VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on YHOO, ISRG, and VMW.

• YHOO is up 2.8% this morning at $37.36, after the company's better-than-expected first-quarter earnings were met with positive reviews from Wall Street. Specifically, no fewer than 12 brokerage firms raised their price targets on Yahoo! Inc., with Oppenheimer setting the bar the highest at $49. Meanwhile, CEO Marissa Mayer said she understands that executing a proper sale of the firm is the "top priority" for shareholders. YHOO is now 12% higher in 2016, and options traders share analysts' high expectations. Specifically, more than two YHOO calls have been bought to open for every put during the past two weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). 
  
  
• ISRG's first-quarter earnings topped Wall Street's expectations, while the company also raised its full-year forecast for procedures utilizing its da Vinci robot. The stock has now added 4.3% at $650.23, bringing its 2016 lead to 19%, after tapping a record new high of $654.88. And analysts foresee additional gains in the future. Stifel and Canaccord Genuity were two of at least five brokerage firms to up their price targets, with each setting theirs at $700 -- representing another all-time high. The stock could continue to rally if shorts keep covering, too. Short interest has dropped during the past two reporting periods, but it would still take Intuitive Surgical, Inc. short sellers almost a week to cover their remaining positions, at the equity's average daily volumes. 
  
  
• Lastly, VMW has shot 13.8% higher to $58.55, thanks to strong quarterly revenue and a fresh $1.2 billion share buyback plan. This is a change of pace on the charts for the stock, which was trading above $93 as recently as August. Analysts are certainly impressed, with no fewer than five raising their price targets, including a $70 target from FBN. If VMware, Inc. can sustain today's rally, it could see additional bullish notes in the near term. Specifically, 64% of covering brokerage firms deem VMW just a "hold." 

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

As the broader stock market searches for direction, drugmakers Cara Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:CARA) and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:BMRN) are on the rise. Let's take a look at the news sending biotech stocks CARA and BMRN higher. 

After being up as much as 9.5% earlier, CARA was last seen 0.5% higher at $8.26, on news the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted its clinical hold on a critical drug trial. More specifically, the trial concerns the company's main compound, CR845, which is intended to be used for acute pain. On the charts, CARA has been on fire, roughly doubling in value since its all-time lows in late February. As such, the stock's 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) was perched at 69 as of last night's close, meaning CARA is on the brink of overbought territory. 

Analysts' expectations toward the biotech are extremely high, as all four brokerage firms that cover the stock say it's a "strong buy." Plus, Cara Therapeutics Inc's (NASDAQ:CARA) average 12-month price target stands at $24 -- all-time-high territory. The stock has its fair share of skeptics, though: Short interest jumped almost 18% in the last reporting period.  

Meanwhile, BMRN has added 4.2% at $89.97, after the company released positive results for its hemophilia treatment. However, the shares are still 14% lower in 2016, and today's rally seems to be stalling near the $90 level that's been containing the stock since early March. 

Still, analysts are bullish on BMRN. Fourteen brokerage firms recommend buying the stock, two deem it a "hold," while none call it a "sell."

This positive outlook has been shared by options traders. Over the past two weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), 2,500 calls have been bought to open compared to fewer than 60 puts, boosting BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.'s  (NASDAQ:BMRN) 10-day call/put volume ratio to an annual high of 44.64. This trend is continuing today, with call volume running at five times the normal intraday rate, and arriving in the 99th percentile of its annual range. 

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap to get all the day's big stock movers, must-know technical levels, and top economic stories straight to your inbox.

Analysts are weighing in on healthcare concern UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH), financial interest Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS), and biotech stock Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ:KITE). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on UNH, DFS, and KITE.

• UNH is up 3.4% at $134.88, after hitting a new record high of $134.98 earlier, bringing its year-to-date lead to nearly 15%. No fewer than nine brokerage firms have raised their price targets on the stock since the company reported strong first-quarter earnings on Tuesday morning, and announced that it would exit Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges in most states by 2017. Mizuho Securities set the loftiest target at $156 -- a roughly 16% premium over the stock's current value. Bearish option traders may be kicking rocks as UnitedHealth Group treks farther north, but analysts have largely been in the equity's corner, with 15 out of 17 rating UNH a "buy" or better

• After reporting better-than-expected earnings last night, DFS earned price-target hikes from at least seven analysts -- the highest target set at $75 by Oppenheimer -- while Susquehanna broke the trend, lowering its target on Discover Financial Services to $66. The stock has added 8% at $56.73, continuing a strong uptrend that began after the shares hit a nearly three-year low of $42.86 in mid-February. DFS has since been enjoying solid support from its rising 20-day moving average. Options traders have been relatively optimistic of late, buying to open 3.52 DFS calls for each put on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) over the past two weeks. And short sellers have been backing off, as well, with these bearish bets falling nearly 24% during the most recent two-week reporting period.

• KITE is 6% higher at $48.91, after the drugmaker reported upbeat results from a Phase 1 trial of its investigational non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment. Kite Pharma Inc is shaking off a price-target cut to $72 from $75 at Jefferies, but the shares are still off nearly 21% year-to-date. In fact, KITE gave up 57% between its record high of $89.84 in November, and its annual low of $38.41, less than three months later. The shares have also been stuck beneath their 100-day moving average since mid-December. Meanwhile, short interest on KITE remains elevated, representing 13.6% of the equity's available float. At KITE's typical daily trading pace, it would take more than a week to buy back these bearish positions.

For other stocks in analysts' crosshairs, read Analyst Upgrades: Yahoo! Inc., Intuitive Surgical, Inc., and VMware, Inc. and Analyst Downgrades: Apple Inc., CalAmp Corp., and Intel Corporation​.

Asian stocks largely gained, boosted by an oil-induced rally among U.S. stocks. Leading the way higher was Japan's Nikkei, which soared 2.7% as a weaker yen served as a positive catalyst for automakers and other exporters. Also muscling higher were Hong Kong's Hang Seng and South Korea's Kospi, which added 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively. However, China bucked the regional trend; the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7%, as liquidity concerns continued to weigh.

European markets are struggling, following a lackluster round of earnings. Meanwhile, traders are digesting an unsurprising European Central Bank (ECB) decision to keep interest rates unchanged at zero, while awaiting comments from ECB President Mario Draghi. France's CAC 40 is 0.5% lower, dragged south by disappointing quarterly sales from Pernod Ricard. Meanwhile, London's FTSE 100 and the German DAX have shed a respective 0.5% and 0.4%.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap to get all the day's big stock movers, must-know technical  levels, and top economic stories straight to your inbox.

Analysts are weighing in on blue chip American Express Company (NYSE:AXP), fast food stock Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), and tech stock Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on AXP, YUM, and FIT.

• AXP is up 2.5% ahead of the opening bell, as Wall Street weighs in after the company's better-than-expected first-quarter earnings and its first increase in revenue in five quarters. No fewer than seven brokerage firms raised their price targets on American Express Company, though three others lowered their targets. BMO was on the bullish side of things, raising its price target to $76 from $71. AXP closed Wednesday at $65.02, leaving it 6.5% below breakeven year-to-date -- though the shares yesterday topped their 120-day moving average for the first time since since August. If the blue chip extends this rally, it could benefit from additional bullish notes, considering 86% of analysts still deem it a "hold" or worse. 
  
  
• YUM is also ready to take advantage of a first-quarter earnings beat, adding 3.5% in electronic trading. The company's China division -- which it's trying to offload -- performed particularly well, with same-store sales increasing 6% on Chinese New Year chicken bucket promotions at KFC. As a result, Nomura jumped in and boosted its price target to $92 from $82. Yum! Brands, Inc. has added almost 14% since the end of March to trade at $82.53, and options traders are likely pleased. Specifically, YUM's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) stands at an annual low of 0.32, meaning short-term speculators are the most call-skewed they've been in at least 12 months. 
  
  
• FIT closed Wednesday at $17.69, bringing its month-to-date gain to 16.8%. The shares have shown signs of life since dipping below $12 in late February, adding 48.5%. Now, analysts are getting behind the stock. Cowen and Company this morning bumped its price target to $20 from $19 -- the latest in a long line of bullish notes for FIT this month. Options traders are turning bullish on Fitbit Inc, too. In fact, almost eight calls have been bought to open for every put during the past two weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). 

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

Analysts are weighing in on toy manufacturer Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT), organic grocer Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc (NYSE:NGVC), and casino stock Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on MAT, NGVC, and INTC.

• Weak Barbie sales contributed to a bigger-than-expected first-quarter loss for MAT -- a change of pace from last quarter. The stock has dropped 8% out of the gate to trade at $30.39 -- unable to match its rival's post-earnings rally -- with Jefferies lowering its price target to $35 from $37. Still, B. Riley raised its price target on the stock to $38 -- annual-high territory -- and it's possible Mattel, Inc. could see support from the round-number $30 level going forward. If the stock does display such technical strength following a tough quarter, it could benefit from a short-squeeze. Specifically, MAT's short-interest ratio stands at 8.80, even after short interest fell by 7% in the latest two-week reporting period. 

• Analysts are slashing their expectations on NGVC, after the company announced a lackluster current-quarter forecast. RBC cut its rating on the stock to "sector perform" from "outperform," and was one of four brokerage firms to lower its price target, slashing its target to $16 from $29. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc is down 28% at $14.67 as a result, bringing its year-over-year decline to 45%. There's potential for more bearish notes to pressure the shares, too, since four of the seven brokerage firms that cover NGVC still call it a "strong buy."

• LVS has fallen 10.4% to $46.73, following the company's first-quarter earnings miss. J.P. Morgan Securities this morning downgraded the stock to "neutral" from "overweight," though it also raised its price target by $6 to $52. Meanwhile, Stifel lowered its price target to $56 from $58, while Barclays increased its target to $50 from $45. Even with this pullback, though, Las Vegas Sands Corp. is 6.5% higher in 2016, amid a rapid decline in short interest. Specifically, short interest on LVS dropped by 22.6% in the last reporting period alone -- though these bears still control three days' worth of buying power, at average daily volumes. As such, the stock could rebound quickly if shorts continue to cover. 

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

U.S. stocks are attempting gains this morning, after jobless claims fell to a 42-year low. Among equities in focus today are carmaker General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), athletic apparel retailer Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA), and biotech stock Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT).

• GM is 2.8% higher at $33.09, after beating analysts' predictions for first-quarter earnings. The company saw its profits more than double from the same period last year, thanks to solid domestic truck sales and improving European operations. The shares are now looking to overtake their 320-day moving average for the first time in 2016, and General Motors Company option bears could be sweating on the upbeat news. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), GM's 50-day put/call volume ratio of 0.94 sits higher than 97% of all readings in the past year.

• After reporting earnings above expectations on the Street -- helped by strong demand for its Stephen Curry shoe line -- and raising its full-year outlook, UA has soared 7.2% to $47.14. Moreover, Under Armour Inc sliced through the $44 area that's been blocking the shares' progress since late January, and is on pace to close atop its 200-day moving average for the first time since November. Short sellers may be heading for the exits if the rally continues -- nearly 15% of the stock's available float is still wrapped up in these bearish bets, accounting for 11 sessions' worth of trading, at UA's average daily pace.

• SRPT has plummeted 38% to $12.22, after comments from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested the company's muscular dystrophy treatment is unlikely to be approved -- essentially echoing its view from January. Sarepta Therapeutics Inc has been awaiting a decision on the drug for months, and expects the final word in late May. With today's fall, the equity has given up 68% in 2016, and analysts don't appear to have high hopes. At present, seven out of 12 brokerage firms call SRPT a "hold" or "strong sell." Plus, option bears have continued to pile on, with the stock's 10-day put/call volume ratio on the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX rising to 0.69 -- in the 90th annual percentile. And with the stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) still parked at a 12-month high, these option buyers are paying hefty premiums for their bets.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!