Options traders are crowding both TGT and TJX today
Despite earnings season winding down, a few notable (non-semiconductor) names have entered the confessional this week. Fresh off off the docket but moving in contrasting directions are retail rivals Target Corp (NYSE:TGT) and TJX Companies Inc (NYSE:TJX).
Struggling retail stock TGT is moving 1.2% lower to trade at $87.50 this morning. While adjusted third-quarter earnings of $1.78 per share topped estimates, a revenue miss and a lowered fiscal year profit outlook are weighing. TGT has been on a downward trajectory since early 2025, shedding 16% in the last three months alone.
Despite the long-term underperformance, calls have been a popular pick. Target stock's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.04 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), ranks higher than 95% of readings from the past year.
Options are red hot today as well. So far, 43,000 calls and 30,000 puts have been purchased today, six times the average intraday pace. Most popular are the November 90 call and January 16, 2026 90-strike put.
TJX is up 0.5% to trade at $146.26 at last glance, after the retailer reported adjusted third-quarter earnings of $1.28 per share on $15.12 billion in revenue, both of which topped estimates. The company also announced plans for a stock buyback in the upcoming fiscal year. TJX has added 21% in 2025 and earlier tapped a fresh record high of $151.
Options traders have also been bullish toward the TJ Maxx parent. The equity's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 4.58 ranks in the 95th annual percentile at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX. Today is more of the same, with 6,809 calls exchanged so far, six times the average pace, with the November 152.50 call seeing sell-to-open activity.