SNAP shares have been obliterated
Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP) is trading down 3.7% at $9.57, set for its lowest close ever, on news Chief Strategy Officer Imran Khan is leaving the company. The shares have lost almost 35% in 2018, including 22% in just the past month, and its 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dropped all the way to 24, deep into oversold territory.
Meanwhile, pessimism rightfully surrounds the underperformer. First off, short interest is still high, even though it edged lower in recent reporting periods. As it stands now, 15.7% of the float is controlled by short sellers, which equals five days' worth of buying power.
Moreover, just four of the 24 analysts in coverage recommend buying the stock. At the same time, however, the average 12-month price target is up at $11.80, hinting at the potential for price-target cuts going forward.
In the options pits today, the January 17, 2020 10-strike call is most popular by far, where new positions are being opened. Still, puts are seeing attention, as well, including the September 9.00- and 9.50-strike puts, where spread activity has been detected. Bullish or bearish, SNAP has been a strong target for premium buyers over the past year, based on its Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) of 80 out of 100, showing a tendency to make bigger-than-expected moves over the past year, compared to what the options market was pricing in.
