Goldman Sachs already cut 400 jobs in September
Financial name Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) is climbing higher this morning, last seen up 1% at $226.90, following news the company would lay off an undisclosed number of workers in an effort to reduce operating expenses by $1.3 million over the next three years. This marks Goldman Sachs' second round of layoffs this year, though the company does not expect this round to exceed the 400 positions cut in September.
Earlier this month, the security just enjoyed an impressive bull gap above recent pressure at its 120-day moving average, thanks to an upbeat vaccine update from Pfizer (PFE) that gave bank stocks a boost. Now, GS is eyeing its highest close in roughly eight months -- poised to topple the $225 level for the first time since early February.
Analysts are mostly bullish on the security. Of the 14 in coverage, 10 call it a "strong buy." Plus, the 12-month consensus price target of $255.58 is a 12.6% premium to current levels.
Meanwhile, calls are outnumbering puts on an overall basis, though there's been an uptick in bearish options activity of late. This is per Goldman Sachs' 10-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which sits higher than 92% of readings from the past year.
Now looks like an ideal time to get in on Goldman Sachs stock's next move with options, though. The equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 27% ranks in the 8th percentile of its 12-month range, meaning options traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations at the moment.