Option activity on Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. suggests some traders may have pulled the trigger on bullish positions on the firearms maker today. SWHC shares are soaring, up nearly 15% at $14.93 as of the time of this writing, after the company updated guidance for the fourth quarter and full fiscal 2015 year (ending April 30, 2015), stating that orders through the fiscal fourth quarter were stronger than previously expected. The company upped its guidance for the quarter, pushing shares in the name to the highest level since June 2014 and sparking heavier than usual options activity. With little more than 60 minutes remaining in the trading session, traders have pushed options volume on SWHC to more than 5,600 contracts as compared to the stock’s average daily options volume of around 400 contracts. The bulk of the activity is in call options, notably the May 15.0 strike contracts. Roughly 2,500 of the 15.0 strike calls have changed hands against zero open interest. Most of the volume appears to have been purchased at a premium of $0.45 each. Buyers of these options stand ready to profit at May expiration in the event that SWHC shares continue to rally, specifically if the stock tops an average breakeven price of $15.45. Smith & Wesson fourth-quarter earnings are estimated for release in the back-half of June.
Chart – SWHC 15.0 strike options most active, specifically May expiry calls
