The security posted slimmer-than-expected quarterly losses, however
Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:SPOT) is trading just above its mid-May annual lows this morning, gapping 8.6% to $216.50 right out of the gate, following a lukewarm second-quarter report. The streaming service posted slimmer-than-expected losses, but noted the pandemic has taken a toll on active user growth. While monthly active users rose 22% in the past year, this growth missed estimates. Spotify blamed "lighter user intake during the first half of the quarter," noting it had to put a hold on several marketing campaigns because of Covid-19.
Despite today's bear gap, SPOT has been able to maintain support near the $210 level. The equity has been chopping lower since hitting a Feb. 22 all-time high of $387.44, though, with its most recent rally attempt rejected by the 200-day moving average. In 2021, SPOT is off 31.3%.
Spotify's options pits are going wild today. Already, 11,000 calls and 5,840 puts have been exchanged, which is six time the intraday average. The most popular contract by far is the August 250 call, where it looks like positions are being sold to open. This suggests traders are expecting the $250 level to hold as a ceiling for the underlying stock until these contracts expire next month.
Options traders' penchant for calls is nothing new. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the stock sports a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 1.87, which stands higher than 62% of all readings from the past year. This means these traders have had a healthier-than-usual appetite for long calls of late.