Looking At Intel's Recent Unusual Options Activity

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Intel INTC, and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in INTC usually suggests something big is about to happen.

We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 15 extraordinary options activities for Intel. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.

The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 46% leaning bullish and 53% bearish. Among these notable options, 6 are puts, totaling $684,910, and 9 are calls, amounting to $408,101.

Predicted Price Range

After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $30.0 and $50.0 for Intel, spanning the last three months.

Analyzing Volume & Open Interest

In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Intel stands at 17294.38, with a total volume reaching 8,068.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Intel, situated within the strike price corridor from $30.0 to $50.0, throughout the last 30 days.

Intel Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview

Biggest Options Spotted:

About Intel

Intel is a leading digital chipmaker, focused on the design and manufacturing of microprocessors for the global personal computer and data center markets. Intel pioneered the x86 architecture for microprocessors and was the prime proponent of Moore's law for advances in semiconductor manufacturing. Intel remains the market share leader in central processing units in both the PC and server end markets. Intel has also been expanding into new adjacencies, such as communications infrastructure, automotive, and the Internet of Things. Further, Intel expects to leverage its chip manufacturing capabilities into an outsourced foundry model where it constructs chips for others.

After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Intel, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.

Where Is Intel Standing Right Now?

• Trading volume stands at 13,694,171, with INTC's price down by -1.03%, positioned at $39.32.
• RSI indicators show the stock to be may be oversold.
• Earnings announcement expected in 20 days.

Professional Analyst Ratings for Intel

A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $50.4.

• Maintaining their stance, an analyst from UBS continues to hold a Neutral rating for Intel, targeting a price of $50.
• An analyst from Benchmark has revised its rating downward to Buy, adjusting the price target to $62.
• In a cautious move, an analyst from Wedbush downgraded its rating to Neutral, setting a price target of $40.
• An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded its action to Neutral with a price target of $50.
• An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Neutral, adjusting the price target to $50.

Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Intel options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro.