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Options Traders, Analysts Target Cisco Stock After Earnings

Cisco's options pits are seeing four times the typical intraday activity

Deputy Editor
Aug 19, 2021 at 10:23 AM
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The shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) are up 0.7% at $55.54 this morning, after the tech name reporting fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of 84 cents per share -- just above expectations of 80 cents -- and a revenue win. However, supply chain issues continue to hinder the company, leading Cisco to issue a current-quarter profit forecast that failed to meet Wall Street's estimates.

Drilling down today's options activity, 25,000 calls and 11,000 puts have already crossed the tape, which is four times the amount that's typically seen at this point. The two most popular options are the weekly 8/20 55.50- and 56-strike calls, indicating these traders see plenty of upside for Cisco stock by the time these contracts expire tomorrow.

Analysts, meanwhile, are optimistic toward Cisco stock following the event. In fact, seven have already responded with price-target hikes. The largest bull note came from Credit Suisse, with the firm raising its price target to $56 from $46, while Jefferies and Evercore ISI each chimed in with a raise up to $63. 

Today's positive price action may come as a surprise, as Cisco stock has historically underperformed following earnings. The 80-day moving average, which CSCO hasn't closed below since November, caught multiple pullback's over the year to help the security carve out a 24.3% year-to-date lead. In addition, the stock is poised to snap a three-day losing streak.

 

 

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