JPM – JPMorgan Chase & Co. – Shares in JP Morgan earlier rallied to the highest level since early August before backing off somewhat to trade up 0.85% on the day at $56.21 as of 11:50 a.m. EST. Weekly calls set to expire next week following the Thanksgiving Day holiday in the U.S. are active this morning. It looks like some traders are positioning for shares in the name to extend gains in the near term, and potentially rise to the highest level since September of 2000 by expiration.
Of the Nov 29 ’13 expiry options changing hands today, the $57.5 strike calls have attracted the most volume. Upwards of 1,900 of the $57.5 calls traded this morning, roughly three times previously existing open interest at that strike of 631 contracts. It looks like most of the calls were purchased for an average premium of $0.24 each, thus positioning buyers to profit in the event that JPM shares rally 2.7% over the current price of $56.21 to top the average breakeven point at $57.74 by expiration next week.
