SolarCity Corp (SCTY) has been hot lately, but can the stock's rally last?
Alternative energy stock SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) is up another 8.5% today at $24.29, bringing its month-to-date lead to almost 32%. The stock was buzzing last week amid takeover chatter, and that excitement is apparently carrying over into today. SCTY stock volume is on pace to end in the 94th percentile of its annual range, and options volume is also through the roof.
To be more specific, call volume is running at twice the levels usually seen at this point in the day, with calls accounting for four of SCTY's five most popular options. Among the most active options are the weekly 3/11 26- and 30-strike calls, as well as the March 25.50 and 30 calls. It appears traders are buying to open contracts at all four strikes, betting on SCTY to extend its rally above the respective levels by the options' expiration dates.
Looking back, call buying is nothing new among SCTY traders. The stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) comes in at 2.16 -- in the 71st percentile of its annual range.
While the stock's recent gains have been impressive, it's hard to be a believer when you consider its technical history. For instance, the shares have dropped almost 59% since their December highs. Plus, it looks as though SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) may struggle to fill its early February bear gap near the $25 level, with its 30-day moving average potentially reinforcing technical resistance.
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