Reuters reported regulators gained "good access” to audits of U.S.-listed Chinese companies
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) and NetEase Inc (NASDAQ:NTES) are in focus this morning, after Reuters reported regulators gained "good access” to audits of U.S.-listed Chinese companies. The stocks are moving in opposite directions, though --BABA was last seen down 1.2% to trade at $78.38 at last check, while NTES was up 3.1% at $73.85.
BABA Running Into Technical Resistance
Today Alibaba stock is running into a ceiling at the $80 level, which has been in place since early October. The security has bounced off an Oct. 24, seven-year low of $58.01, but is struggling to overcome pressure from the 60-day moving average. Year-over-year, BABA has shed 53.3%.
Short-term options traders have been overwhelmingly bullish towards BABA. This is per the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) 0.43, which is higher than just 1% of readings from the past year.
It's also worth noting the equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) stands at 84 out of 100. This suggests BABA tends to exceed options traders' volatility expectations -- a good thing for buyers.
NTES Looking to Extend Win Streak
Meanwhile, NetEase stock has been surging, and is eyeing its fifth-straight daily gain. Shares are also eyeing their second consecutive close above the 40-day moving average, which had been guiding the security lower since August. The stock is distancing itself from an Oct. 24, two-year low of $53.09, and has added over 30% this month.
A sentiment shift in the options pits could keep tailwinds blowing for the security. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), NTES' 50-day put/call volume ratio sits higher than 80% of annual readings, indicating long puts have been getting picked up at a much quicker-than-usual clip.
It looks like this shift may already be underway. So far today, 1,508 calls have already been traded, which is five time the volume that is typically seen at this point, compared to just 603 puts. The most popular is still the January 2023 56-strike put, where positions are being opened.