Fiat Chrysler and PSA just agreed to a $52 billion merger
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE:FCAU) is kicking off the year on a high note this morning, trading up 1.9% at $18.44 at last check, following news that the company's shareholders just approved a $52 billion deal to merge with Peugeot maker PSA. The two firms will create the worlds fourth largest automotive group under the name Stellantis.
The auto concern has seen an impressive run up the charts since its mid-March trough, with a few moderate pullbacks deftly captured by the equity's 40-day moving average. In the past nine months, the stock has added 155%, and is now within a chip-shot of recapturing fresh two-year highs.
Option bulls are targeting FCAU today in response. So far, 1,051 calls have been exchanged, double the intraday average. The March 25 call is the most popular, with positions being bought to open here. This suggests these traders are expecting the underlying stock to run up to or above the $25 mark by the time these contracts expire on March 19.
Now looks like an opportune time to speculate on FCAU's next move with options. The security's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 40% stands higher than 4% of readings from the past year. This means options players are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations at the moment.