Shares in ICICI Bank Ltd. (Ticker: IBN) rallied nearly 20% in the first two weeks of May to touch $50.97 on Monday, the highest level since April of 2011. IBN is moving higher amid strong performance in Indian equities spurred by recent elections in the country. The chart below shows periods of relative outperformance in ICICI Bank’s shares versus the broader NIFTY Index, including recent outperformance of the shares.
Front month options activity on the operator of a network of banks in India today suggests one strategist who was well positioned to benefit from recent gains in IBN shares, may be taking significant gains off the table by rolling a previously established bullish call position on the stock up to a higher striking price. It looks like the trader originally purchased 2,300 of the 16May’14 46.0 calls at a premium of $0.62 each, one week prior to today, on the morning of May 6th. Strong gains in the price of the underlying shares in the one-week period boosted premium on the now deep in-the-money call options, which the trader appears to have sold this morning at a premium of $2.98 apiece. Gains on the position in that case amount to an impressive $2.36 per contract or 380% return in one week’s time.
The options player appears to have initiated a fresh bullish trade on IBN as well, with the purchase of 2,300 of the 16May’14 50.0 strike call options for a premium of $0.68 per contract, which traded at the same time and in the same size as the 46.0 calls, just before 10:00 a.m. ET this morning. The May 50.0 calls make money if shares in ICICI Bank extend gains this week, with profits available on the contracts at expiration on Friday in the event that IBN shares exceed the effective breakeven price of $50.68. Shares in ICICI Bank Ltd. are trading lower this morning, down almost 3.0% at $48.20 as of 10:45 a.m. ET in New York.
Chart – Banking shares boost Indian stock market as election results promise change
