Hilton Hotels reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings
The shares of Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) are up 5.8% at $93.13 this morning, after the hotel chain reported third-quarter earnings that came in just above analysts' estimates. Revenue, meanwhile, finished below Wall Street's forecasts, although comparable revenue per available room fell by more than 60% from one year ago. The surprise profit beat comes from cost-cutting measures, and signals a gradual recovery for the hotel industry.
Today's positive price action has Hilton stock well on its way to five straight days of gains. The shares' 80-day moving average has stepped up as support recently, helping HLT to a nearly 39% six-month gain. Longer term though, the equity has shed 17% in 2020.
Options traders have been targeting calls with gusto. The security sports a 50-day call/put volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which stands higher than all but 76% of readings in its annual range. This suggests a heavier-than-usual appetite for long calls of late.
With earnings out of the way, now looks like the perfect time to enter on HLT with options amid a volatility crush. The security's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 59% sits in the relatively low 18th percentile of all other annual readings, meaning the stock sports attractively priced premiums at the moment.