Calls are running at quadruple their usual pace today
The shares of Sonos Inc (NASDAQ:SONO) are off 1% at $37.56 at last check, regaining some of their earlier losses, as today's session lows brought them down as far as $34.55. After a mid-November bull gap helped SONO rise above pressure at the $18 level, the stock has enjoyed a tear higher over the last few months. Yesterday, Feb. 22, the equity hit a record high of $38.50, and is up 59.6% so far in 2021.
Taking a look at analyst sentiment, there is plenty of room for increased optimism. Of the seven in coverage, three carry a lukewarm "hold" rating on Sonos stock. Meanwhile, short sellers are stepping up to the plate, with short interest up 25.8% during the most recent reporting period.
Today, options bulls appear to have taken notice of the outperformance on the charts, with calls running at quadruple what's typically seen at this point. So far, 28,000 calls have crossed the tape, with new positions being opened at the June 45 call, which is seeing the most activity by far.
This overwhelming preference for calls is a bit of a turnaround for SONO as well. The stock's 50-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) stands higher than 95% of readings from the past year, showing long puts being picked up at a much faster-than-usual rate.
Sonos stock is seeing attractively priced premiums at the moment, too, per the security's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 59%, which sits in the 7th percentile of its annual range. This means options players are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations at the moment.