Alcoa posted better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and revenue
Aluminum stock Alcoa Corp (NYSE:AA) is surging today, up 13.2% to trade at $55.03 at last check, after the company announced better-than-expected third-quarter results and a $500 million buyback program. No fewer than three analysts raised their price targets after the event, including Credit Suisse to $62.
On the charts, today's positive price action has AA trading a fresh three-year highs, and jumping above pressure at the $52 level. On track for its fifth-straight day of gains, Alcoa stock is up 137.2% year-to-date.
Still, there is plenty of short-covering potential. Short interest has risen 10.1% during the most recent reporting period, and now makes up 6.6% of the stock's available float. There is room for upgrades from the brokerage bunch as well. Of the eight analysts in coverage, three carry a tepid "hold" rating on AA. Plus, before today's adjustments, the 12-month consensus price target of $57.2% was a slim premium to current levels.
The options pits are bursting with activity, with options volume seeing nine times what's typically seen at this point, and pacing for the top percentile of its annual range. So far, 44,000 calls and 14,000 puts have crossed the tape. The October 55 call is the most popular, with new positions being bought to open there -- showing plenty of call traders betting on more upside by the contract's expiration today.