Pre-Launch Orders Spark Another Mazor Robotics Ltd (MZOR) Surge

Like this biotech stock, Mazor Robotics Ltd - ADR (NASDAQ:MZOR) is one of the top gainers on the Nasdaq, up 19% at $26.47, earlier hitting a record high of $26.55. Boosting the shares is news that the medical device firm received its first pre-launch orders for the Mazor X System, a guidance platform for spine surgeries. Suffice it to say, bullish options traders should be welcoming these developments with open arms.

Based on data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), speculators have bought to open 4.40 calls for every put during the past four weeks. For comparison's sake, this reading was a less top-heavy 1.25 just two weeks ago. Echoing this, MZOR's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) is 0.32, with calls tripling puts among options with a shelf-life of three months or less.

Now is a good time to purchase premium on short-term MZOR options, too. The stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 52% ranks below 90% of all readings from the prior year. In other words, relatively muted volatility expectations are being priced into near-term options.

Sentiment is more mixed elsewhere. On the one hand, all four covering analysts have doled out a "strong buy" rating on MZOR. On the other, 7.7% of the stock's float is sold short -- and would take over two weeks to buy back, at its typical daily trading volumes. In fact, it's possible short sellers have been buying calls to serve as insurance against additional upside moves.

Technically speaking, Mazor Robotics Ltd - ADR (NASDAQ:MZOR) has been a revelation, both today and longer term. Year-to-date, the stock has surged 160%.

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