DBX topped out at a record high earlier
Shares of Dropbox Inc (NASDAQ:DBX) hit a record high of $38.09 earlier, and were last seen trading up 15.3% at $36.50. While no specific catalyst is clear, some are labeling the cloud concern a takeover target and others are pointing to a short squeeze. Whatever the reason, DBX is pacing for its fourth straight win and its best day since going public back on March 23, and options traders are climbing on for the ride.
Most recently, 39,750 calls and 21,764 puts have traded on DBX -- almost 16 times what's typically seen, and total intraday options volume at an all-time peak. The October 36 put is most active, with 5,902 contracts traded. Trade-Alert pegs some buy-to-open activity here, though it's possible some of the activity could be of the protective kind.
Meanwhile, shorter-term traders appear to be positioning for more upside over the next several weeks. The June 36, weekly 6/22 34.50-strike, and July 40 calls have all garnered notable attention, and it looks as if new positions are being purchased here.
Broadening the sentiment scope reveals DBX options traders have been call-skewed in recent weeks. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), speculators have bought to open 11,205 calls in the last 10 sessions, compared to 2,307 puts.
Elsewhere, though, short sellers have been ramping up their exposure to the Wall Street freshman, too. Specifically, short interest has shot up 82% since the April 1 reporting period to a record 3.30 million shares. As such, shorts may be using long calls to hedge their bearish bets against any upside risk.