Unusual Options Activity: VIAB, MNST, HLF, and MPEL

It wasn't a surprise to see put traders jump on Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB)

Josh Selway

Aug 6, 2015 at 4:39 PM

Once again, the Dow closed lower -- extending its longest losing streak of the year -- as media giants traded off. Across all 12 options exchanges, 8.39 million calls crossed, compared to 9.29 million puts. The day's put/call volume ratio closed at 1.10.

One of the media names hurt today -- and on the short-sale restricted list -- was Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB), which saw puts cross at 25 times the typical pace after its earnings fail. Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) puts changed hands at 11 times the normal pace -- and the stock's 30-day at-the-money implied volatility hit a 52-week high -- ahead of earnings.

After the company's earnings beat, Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) calls were exchanged at five times the average rate. Elsewhere, after-earnings traders had Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd (ADR) (NASDAQ:MPEL) calls crossing at eight times the expected pace.

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