Latest News for Bon-Ton Stores Stock (OTC:BONTQ)

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc operates is a department store operator in the United States. It offers a range of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men, and children, through stores in the United States. Its nationally distributed brand assortment includes a range of labels in the apparel, accessories, footwear, cosmetics and home furnishings industries, such as Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, Carters, Chaps, Clarks, Clinique, Coach, Estee Lauder and Others.

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BON-TON STORES INC by Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (THE)

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc

<p>JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur shares an optimistic outlook for the semiconductor industry in anticipation of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings">Q1 earnings season</a>. </p>
<p>The sector, including semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment (semicap), and chip design software (EDA/IP), has continued to outperform broader indices YTD. The <strong>iShares Semiconductor ETF</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) is up 12.12%, as compared to the benchmark <strong>S&amp;P 500 Index</strong> which is up 7.41% YTD.</p>
<p>The outperformance has been fueled by expectations of cyclical bottoming and positive earnings revisions.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Trends Driving Semiconductor Growth</strong></h2>
<p>&#8220;From an industry perspective, we expect semi industry revenue to improve 6-8% Y/Y in 2024 &#8230;following an 8-10% decline in CY23,&#8221; said Sur. Key trends that he sees driving this performance include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Accelerated Compute and AI Demand:</strong> Sur highlights the ongoing trend of accelerated compute and AI demand. Industry bookings and an improving supply-demand balance support stand as catalysts here and are expected to persist into 2024/2025.</li>
<li><strong>Auto and Industrial Recovery:</strong> Sur also pointed to signs of recovery in the auto and industrial segments, with this quarter likely marking the bottom of the cycle. He anticipates positive order trends and a more synchronized recovery across different end markets.</li>
<li><strong>Memory Industry Upswing:</strong> Sur notes the memory industry&#8217;s positive momentum, driven by strong pricing and demand trends. Memory content gains from AI and accelerated compute deployments, along with supply disruptions, are expected to drive higher pricing.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38266586/taiwan-semis-ai-boom-and-us-expansion-set-to-drive-q1-earnings-growth">Taiwan Semi&#8217;s AI Boom and US Expansion Set to Drive Q1 Earnings Growth</a></em></p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Picks</strong> From The Semiconductor Space Ahead Of Q1 Earnings</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Semiconductors:</strong> Sur highlights <strong>Broadcom Inc </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), <strong>Marvell Technology Inc </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRVL#NASDAQ">MRVL</a>), <strong>Micron Technology Inc</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), <strong>Analog Devices, Inc. </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADI#NASDAQ">ADI</a>) and <strong>Microchip Technology Inc</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHP#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>) as top picks in the semiconductor space.</li>
<li><strong>Semiconductor Capital Equipment (Semicap):</strong> <strong>KLA Corp</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLAC#NASDAQ">KLAC</a>) stands out as the top pick in semicap space. Sur sees near-term fundamentals beginning to improve for KLA and set to grow in the second half of the year.</li>
<li><strong>Chip Design Software (EDA/IP):</strong>  Sur recognized <strong>Synopsys Inc</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNPS#NASDAQ">SNPS</a>) as a top pick in chip design software. The company should be driven by strengthening demand and strong growth prospects due to increasing chip design complexity and AI infrastructure build-out.</li>
</ul>
<p>With accelerating demand trends, recovering auto and industrial segments, and a resurgence in the memory industry, the semiconductor sector presents compelling investment opportunities for those looking to capitalize on the ongoing tech-driven transformation.</p>
<p><em>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38140898/ahead-of-chip-earnings-analyst-turns-more-bullish-on-nvidia-and-these-semiconductor">Ahead Of Chip Earnings, Analyst Turns More Bullish On Nvidia And These Semiconductor Stocks On Robust AI Demand</a></em></p>
<p><em>Photo: Shutterstock</em></p>


Analyst Color

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AVGO

KLAC

MCHP

MRVL

SNPS

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

Broadcom, Marvell, Analog Devices And More Semiconductor Stocks Poised For 6%-8% Revenue Growth: JPMorgan

<p>Major cryptocurrency exchanges are revving up excitement for the upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38107753/bitcoin-halving-101-everything-investors-need-to-know">Bitcoin halving event</a> with creative ad campaigns. </p>
<p><strong>What Happened</strong>: <strong>Coinbase Inc. </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) and <strong>Kraken</strong>, two of the leading US exchanges, have <a href="https://twitter.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1779922407823708234">unveiled</a> commercials highlighting the potential impact of the halving on <strong>Bitcoin</strong>&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) value.</p>
<p><strong>Coinbase Uses Pizza Power To Illustrate Value Growth</strong></p>
<p>Coinbase&#8217;s commercial takes a lighthearted approach, using pizza as a metaphor to showcase Bitcoin&#8217;s value appreciation since its launch in 2009. </p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><br />
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Food for thought:<br />What if money was designed to get you more over time, not less?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://t.co/z8eHF8JltQ">pic.twitter.com/z8eHF8JltQ</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Coinbase &#x1f6e1;&#xFE0F; (@coinbase) <a href="https://twitter.com/coinbase/status/1779902729860591745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<p></p></figure></p>
<p>The ad features graphics that depict how the amount of pizza you could buy with one Bitcoin has grown significantly over each four-year halving cycle.</p>
<p>The commercial&#8217;s tagline, &#8220;Over time, your money gets you less; does Bitcoin?&#8221; summarizes this point effectively. </p>
<p>This lighthearted approach resonates with viewers and underscores the potential buying power that Bitcoin can offer.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27091545/Benzinga-conference.gif" alt="Benzinga future of digital assets conference" class="wp-image-267246" /></a></figure></p>
<p><em>Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38253553/is-ethereum-dead-this-bitcoin-trader-thinks-so-solana-attacking-from-left-flank">Is Ethereum Dead? This Bitcoin Trader Thinks So: &#8216;Solana Attacking From Left Flank&#8217;</a></em></p>
<p><strong>Kraken Delves Deeper Into The Essence of Money</strong></p>
<p>Kraken&#8217;s commercial takes a more philosophical approach, contrasting traditional fiat currency with Bitcoin&#8217;s unique properties. </p>
<p>The ad sparks curiosity by opening with the question, &#8220;How is paper money valued?&#8221; It then answers with a thought-provoking statement: &#8220;Someone said so.&#8221; </p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><br />
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN: Kraken releases new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> commercial leading up to the halving &#x1f440;<br /><br /> <a href="https://t.co/1Sem5yHyyh">pic.twitter.com/1Sem5yHyyh</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1779922407823708234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<p></p></figure></p>
<p>This line challenges viewers to consider the arbitrary nature of traditional currency valuation.</p>
<p>Kraken then positions Bitcoin as &#8220;digital gold,&#8221; highlighting its limited supply (capped at 21 million coins) and its resistance to counterfeiting. </p>
<p>The commercial emphasizes that unlike fiat currencies, Bitcoin&#8217;s value is driven by scarcity and demand, not by the supposed whims of central authorities.</p>
<p>The ad goes a step further by highlighting Bitcoin&#8217;s divisibility, a key feature that allows for microtransactions. </p>
<p>This functionality empowers users to make smaller purchases and gain more control over their finances, independent of traditional banking systems.</p>
<p><strong>Why It Matters</strong>: Both Coinbase and Kraken&#8217;s commercials effectively capture the growing interest in Bitcoin and the potential impact of the upcoming halving event. </p>
<p>With the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies, 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the digital asset space.</p>
<p><strong>What&#8217;s Next</strong>: The upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/">Future of Digital Assets</a> conference on Nov. 19 offers a valuable platform for investors of all levels to navigate this dynamic landscape. </p>
<p>This premier event will convene leading crypto experts to discuss market trends, investment strategies, and the evolving role of digital assets in the global financial system. </p>
<p>Don&#8217;t miss this opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38246857/bitcoins-next-move-more-likely-to-hit-up-to-75k-on-short-liquidations-analyst-says">exciting world of cryptocurrency.</a></p>
<p><em>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38249321/arthur-hayes-that-was-the-dip-now-we-rip-asks-490k-followers-what-coins-to-buy">Arthur Hayes: &#8216;That Was The Dip, Now We Rip,&#8217; Asks 490K Followers What Coins To Buy</a></em></p>


Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

COIN

Pizzas Or Power? These Bitcoin Halving Commercials Want To Whet Buyers' Appetites

WIIM

Sprout Social shares are trading lower after the company announced a CEO transition.

<p>Investors with significant funds have taken a bearish position in Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>), a development that retail traders should be aware of.</p>
<p>This was brought to our attention today through our monitoring of publicly accessible options data at Benzinga. The exact nature of these investors remains a mystery, but such a major move in ULTA usually indicates foreknowledge of upcoming events.</p>
<p>Today, Benzinga's options scanner identified 16 options transactions for Ulta Beauty. This is an unusual occurrence. The sentiment among these large-scale traders is mixed, with 31% being bullish and 68% bearish. Of all the options we discovered, 15 are puts, valued at $986,231, and there was a single call, worth $32,600.</p>
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
<p>After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $310.0 and $515.0 for Ulta Beauty, spanning the last three months.</p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
<p>In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Ulta Beauty options trades today is 398.45 with a total volume of 1,214.00.</p>
<p>In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Ulta Beauty's big money trades within a strike price range of $310.0 to $515.0 over the last 30 days.</p>
<h3>Ulta Beauty 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713280586_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ULTA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$90.0</td>
<td>$86.6</td>
<td>$90.0</td>
<td>$515.00</td>
<td>$270.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ULTA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$16.2</td>
<td>$15.8</td>
<td>$16.12</td>
<td>$430.00</td>
<td>$104.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">314</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">192</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ULTA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$13.3</td>
<td>$10.9</td>
<td>$11.03</td>
<td>$365.00</td>
<td>$94.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">672</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ULTA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$12.6</td>
<td>$11.4</td>
<td>$12.6</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$63.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ULTA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$8.9</td>
<td>$8.5</td>
<td>$8.71</td>
<td>$415.00</td>
<td>$53.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">449</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">235</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Ulta Beauty</h3>
<p>With 1,385 stores at the end of fiscal 2023 and a partnership with Target, Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the U.S. The firm offers makeup (41% of 2023 sales), fragrances, skin care (19% of sales), and hair care products (19% of sales), and bath and body items. Ulta offers private-label products and merchandise from more than 500 vendors. It also offers salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow services, in all stores. Most Ulta stores are approximately 10,000 square feet and are in suburban strip centers. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.</p>
<p>In light of the recent options history for Ulta Beauty, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.</p>
<h3>Ulta Beauty's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 326,500, the price of ULTA is down by -2.33%, reaching $423.15.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 37 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<p>Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.</p>
<p>If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Ulta Beauty, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.</p>


Options

ULTA

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Ulta Beauty

MARA

RIOT

Shares of crypto-related stocks are trading lower amid a pullback in Bitcoin.

<p>Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on <strong>First Solar</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>).</p>
<p>And retail traders should know.</p>
<p>We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.</p>
<p>Whether this is an institution or just a wealthy individual, we don't know. But when something this big happens with FSLR, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.</p>
<p>Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 10 options trades for First Solar.</p>
<p>This isn't normal.</p>
<p>The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 50% bullish and 50%, bearish.</p>
<p>Out of all of the options we uncovered, 9 are puts, for a total amount of $9,547,389, and there was 1 call, for a total amount of $122,396.</p>
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
<p>Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $145.0 to $195.0 for First Solar over the last 3 months. </p>
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in First Solar's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to First Solar's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $145.0 to $195.0 over the preceding 30 days.</p>
<h3>First Solar Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713280581_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>FSLR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$15.35</td>
<td>$14.6</td>
<td>$14.8</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$4.4M</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td>102</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FSLR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$15.8</td>
<td>$14.9</td>
<td>$15.1</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$4.3M</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>116</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FSLR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/19/24</td>
<td>$5.25</td>
<td>$4.75</td>
<td>$4.8</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$468.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FSLR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/19/24</td>
<td>$11.35</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$11.35</td>
<td>$162.50</td>
<td>$122.3K</td>
<td>196</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FSLR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$24.95</td>
<td>$24.7</td>
<td>$24.9</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$117.0K</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About First Solar</h3>
<p>First Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world's largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and India.</p>
<p>Having examined the options trading patterns of First Solar, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance</p>
<h3>Current Position of First Solar</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 695,543, the FSLR's price is down by -1.47%, now at $173.37. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 15 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on First Solar</h3>
<p>3 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $229.33333333333334.</p>
<ul>
<li>An analyst from B of A Securities persists with their Buy rating on First Solar, maintaining a target price of $194. </li>
<li>In a cautious move, an analyst from Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $236. </li>
<li>An analyst from Susquehanna persists with their Positive rating on First Solar, maintaining a target price of $258. </li>
</ul>
<p>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 First Solar options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.</p>


FSLR

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in First Solar

<p>Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>), 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 OXY usually suggests something big is about to happen.</p>
<p>We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 9 extraordinary options activities for Occidental Petroleum. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.</p>
<p>The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 33% leaning bullish and 66% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $117,210, and 6 are calls, amounting to $316,311.</p>
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
<p>Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $60.0 to $85.0 for Occidental Petroleum during the past quarter. </p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
<p>Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.</p>
<p>This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Occidental Petroleum's options for a given strike price.</p>
<p>Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Occidental Petroleum's whale activity within a strike price range from $60.0 to $85.0 in the last 30 days. </p>
<h3>Occidental Petroleum Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713280576_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.8</td>
<td>$10.6</td>
<td>$10.6</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$106.0K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>05/17/24</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$5.4</td>
<td>$6.2</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$62.0K</td>
<td>9.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$4.1</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$4.1</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$54.1K</td>
<td>7.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">56</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.25</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$4.25</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$42.5K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">343</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$41.5K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">243</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Occidental Petroleum</h3>
<p>Occidental Petroleum is an independent exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. At the end of 2023, the company reported net proved reserves of nearly 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Net production averaged 1,234 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023 at a ratio of roughly 50% oil and natural gas liquids and 50% natural gas.</p>
<p>After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Occidental Petroleum, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.</p>
<h3>Current Position of Occidental Petroleum</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 4,703,062, the price of OXY is down -3.12% at $66.21. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 21 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Occidental Petroleum</h3>
<p>Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $77.0.</p>
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Scotiabank upgraded its action to Sector Outperform with a price target of $90. </li>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Mizuho keeps a Neutral rating on Occidental Petroleum with a target price of $69. </li>
<li>An analyst from Morgan Stanley has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Occidental Petroleum, which currently sits at a price target of $72. </li>
<li>An analyst from Mizuho has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Occidental Petroleum, which currently sits at a price target of $70. </li>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Occidental Petroleum with a target price of $84. </li>
</ul>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Occidental Petroleum with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


Looking At Occidental Petroleum's Recent Unusual Options Activity

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<p>The TDR Three Key Takeaways on the SAFE Banking Act:</p>
<p>TDR&rsquo;s Shadd Dales has live interviews in Washington DC with senators on their views of the SAFE Banking Act</p>
<p>Senators believe economic and safety benefits underscore the urgent need for the SAFE Banking Act.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Senators believe strategic legislative tactics may determine the SAFE Banking Act&#39;s passage in an election year.</p>
<p>Last week, the TDR team was in Washington, DC, to gather firsthand insights for this exclusive to learn directly about both Republican and Democrat senators&#39; views on SAFE Banking. We thank Cannabis Lobbyist Don Murphy for his assistance in arranging interviews. TDR&rsquo;s Shadd Dales interviewed current and former senators from both parties, such as JD Vance, Steve Daines, Rand Paul, Robert Menendez, and Cory Gardner. Below are direct quotes and highlights from the podcast, available for viewing at this&nbsp;link.</p>
<h3>Senator JD Vance, Ohio, Republican</h3>
<p>Senator JD Vance voted against the Safe Banking Act due to concerns that it could inadvertently aid illicit activities, as he noted, &quot;the bill was crafted in such a way that actually would have opened up access to banking resources for fentanyl traffickers and others.&quot;</p>
<p>Regarding supporting a revised version of the legislation, Vance indicated openness to changing his stance if improvements were made, saying, &quot;if the legislation is better, I&#39;d be more likely to support it.&quot;</p>
<p>As for his view on the rescheduling of marijuana, Vance seemed less focused on this issue, mentioning that it was not his &quot;particular focus&quot; and suggested that the influence on legislative momentum might differ among his colleagues. He also questioned the priority of such changes in the House, implying it might face challenges there.</p>
<p>It appears that his view on the SAFE Banking Act may be shifting in a positive direction.</p>
<h3>Senator Steve Daines, Montana, Republican</h3>
<p>Senator Steve Daines articulated a few key messages regarding the progress and potential passage of the Safe Banking Act for the cannabis industry. First, he expressed cautious optimism about the legislation&#39;s prospects, noting, &quot;I think we&#39;re at the best spot we&#39;ve ever been in getting safe banking across the finish line.&quot; He acknowledged the unpredictability of Washington but seemed hopeful about the current alignment between the House and Senate bills. Regarding the strategy to advance the bill, he shared the approach of attaching the Safe Banking Act to other legislative vehicles as a way to navigate the complexities of an election year: &quot;We&#39;re going to look at vehicles we can get the safe banking bill attached to. We&#39;ve got some ideas on working with our House.&quot; Why as a Republican Senator is he so supportive of the Safe Banking Act? Daines emphasized the public safety aspect of the legislation, tying it to the protection of businesses that are currently operating in cash and are vulnerable to crime. He also pointed out the broader benefits such as support from law enforcement and the potential for increased tax revenues: &quot;This is about public safety...That&#39;s why we&#39;ve got the support of so many law enforcement agencies around the country to do the right thing, not to mention for tax revenues, to be able to bank a business that&#39;s legal in so many states.&quot;</p>
<p>These comments reflect Daines&#39; supportive stance on advancing the Safe Banking Act, his strategic thinking about legislative success, and his emphasis on the public safety and economic benefits of the act.</p>
<h3>Senator Rand Paul, Kentucky, Republican</h3>
<p>Senator Rand Paul provided key insights into the challenges facing the Safe Banking Act, which provide a slightly different take. Senator Paul noted the bill&#39;s strong bipartisan support, saying it &quot;probably has 60%, 70% support in both the House and the Senate.&quot; However, he highlighted political challenges, particularly in the House, where it&#39;s &quot;less likely to come up&quot; due to greater Democratic support, affecting its progression under a Republican majority. Discussing the difficulties in the current legislative environment, Paul explained the reluctance in the House to address the bill, stating, &quot;The speakership is dependent on not bringing up things that the majority of Republicans don&#39;t want.&quot;</p>
<p>Criticizing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer&#39;s handling of the bill, Paul said, &quot;Had it been brought up and had he not delayed it... he should have just brought that vote up. If it didn&#39;t pass, then he should have moved to the Safe Banking Act.&quot; Despite these criticisms, he said: &quot;I&#39;m still supportive of it and continue to try and I&#39;ve worked with Schumer on it.&quot;</p>
<h3>Senator Robert Menendez, New Jersey, Democrat</h3>
<p>Senator Bob Menendez shared why the Safe Banking Act to him was important with a&nbsp; focus on the need for legislative progress and addressing industry challenges. Menendez emphasizing the irrational current banking restrictions: &quot;I&#39;m a supporter and one of the sponsors of the Safe Banking Act...there&#39;s more cash that can&#39;t be actually banked, which makes no sense in terms of businesses, no sense in terms of security, transparency, and all of the benefits that can flow from the industry.&quot; Highlighting operational problems, Menendez pointed out, &quot;You have a cannabis business that&#39;s open, it can&#39;t get insured. That&#39;s a huge problem.&quot;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Regarding the obstacles, Menendez noted the ideological and justice-related hurdles facing the bill, stating, &quot;I don&#39;t think we should continue to allow the cannabis industry millions and millions of dollars to go unbanked.&quot; He supports broader justice efforts but believes they should not hinder essential banking reforms.</p>
<h3>Former Senator Cory Gardner, Colorado, Republican</h3>
<p>Former Senator Cory Gardner discussed the status and potential pathways for the Safe Banking Act&#39;s passage. Gardner expressed confidence in the bill&#39;s potential, noting, &quot;if you were to put safer banking on the floor as a standalone bill, it would pass with overwhelming majority in both the House and the Senate.&quot; He emphasized that its passage in the House multiple times demonstrates significant support.</p>
<p>Legislative timing and priorities were challenges and he explained saying, &quot;legislative time is the coin of the realm.&quot; Gardner highlighted competing priorities such as FAA authorization and national security legislation, which can delay the Safe Banking Act because &quot;if somebody wants to object... it could draw the process out for weeks.&quot;</p>
<p>Discussing potential pathways for the bill, Gardner suggested it might be included in larger legislative packages, either in upcoming FAA reauthorization or in a post-election lame duck session. He noted, &quot;So I think what you see now is the negotiating process to try to figure out what we can put this in? Where can it go?&quot;</p>
<p>In this TDR exclusive, both Republican and Democrat senators acknowledge the importance of the SAFE Banking Act, focusing on different aspects and challenges. Republican JD Vance has raised concerns about potential unintended consequences and strategic legislative opportunities. In contrast, Republican Steve Daines focused on the safety aspects, which he views as crucial. Democrat Robert Menendez emphasized the urgent need to remove banking restrictions that currently limit the operational and security capabilities of a marijuana businesses. The bipartisan support mentioned by Rand Paul, along with Cory Gardner&rsquo;s confidence in the potential passage of the act, demonstrates a shared recognition of the economic and public safety benefits of allowing legal marijuana businesses banking access. These discussions indicate that the legislative environment is adapting to balance political, economic, and safety considerations, suggesting a shift towards a more unified approach in managing cannabis-related banking reforms. Returning from Washington, we are now better prepared to provide our viewers with firsthand information on this significant development.</p>
<p>If you found this article and podcast informative, consider watching our recent interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace from South Carolina, a Republican who supports the Safe Banking Act and the rescheduling of marijuana. The interview is available at the link below.</p>
<p class="contributor-disclaimer"><em>This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga&#39;s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.</em></p>


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<p>Wall Street veteran investor <strong>Ed Yardeni</strong> has spotlighted potential turbulence ahead for the S&amp;P 500 index, forecasting a &#8220;classic 10% correction&#8221;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/expert-ideas"> in the coming months. </a></p>
<p>This prediction comes as markets digest a scenario where the U.S. economy avoids any hard or soft landing, an outcome that seemed unlikely only months ago.</p>
<p>Analyzing recent economic indicators, Yardeni noted, &#8220;The US economy refuses to land and rising yields are starting to weigh on the stock market.&#8221; </p>
<p>His observations follow a robust retail sales report for March, which prompted the Atlanta Fed&#8217;s GDPNow model to adjust its Q1 real GDP growth estimate up from 2.4% to 2.8%, with real consumer spending also revised upward.</p>
<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s neither a hard nor a soft landing. The US economy is still flying high,&#8221; Yardeni commented, indicating a sustained economic momentum contrary to recession fears. </p>
<p>He pointed out the persistent consumer spending, buoyed by increases in real disposable income and the financial stability of retiring Americans, as well as the economic contributions from over six million newcomers to the U.S.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forget About Fed Rate Cuts</strong></h3>
<p>According to Yardeni, the rise in Treasury yields reflects a growing investor belief that the Federal Reserve may maintain the current federal funds rate throughout the year, influenced by stronger-than-anticipated economic growth, persistently high CPI inflation, and increasing oil prices.</p>
<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t think that the Fed will raise rates again this year, but we&#8217;ve pushed back against the widely-held notion of several cuts this year and argued that no cuts at all was increasingly likely. Now that&#8217;s our base case scenario,&#8221; he wrote in a recent note. </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Yardeni Expects A 10% Market Drop </h3>
<p>With the S&amp;P 500, as tracked by the <strong>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), retreating from its March 29 high of 5,254.35 to 5,061.82, sliding below its 50-day moving average, Yardeni believes the market&#8217;s immediate future could be rocky. </p>
<p>&#8220;The market was overbought and may now be moving towards being oversold,&#8221; he stated, referencing a significant drop in stocks above their 50-day moving average—from over 80% at March&#8217;s end to just 30% today.</p>
<p>Looking ahead, Yardeni anticipates the index could test its 200-day moving average around 4,700 in the coming months, marking a potential 10% decline from recent highs.</p>
<p><em>Chart: S&amp;P 500 Breaks Below 50-DMA , Yardeni Now Eyes 200-DMA Test</em></p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="495" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101315/image-81-1024x495.png" alt="" class="wp-image-293997" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101315/image-81-1024x495.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101315/image-81-300x145.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101315/image-81-768x372.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101315/image-81-1536x743.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101315/image-81.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></p>
<p>This correction would align with typical market cycles observed in past periods of economic recalibration, solidifying his view that investors might need to brace for further declines as the market adjusts to this &#8220;no-landing&#8221; scenario.</p>
<p>Moreover, the situation is further complicated by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.</p>
<p>&#8220;Investors may have to give up on expecting any rate cut this year,&#8221; Yardeni stated. </p>
<p>Read now: <em><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38259895/bond-yields-surge-to-6-month-highs-as-likelihood-of-no-landing-scenario-increases-u">Bond Yields Surge To 6-Month Highs As Likelihood Of No-Landing Scenario Increases: UBS Warns Of Potential Fed Rate Hikes To 6.5%</a></em></p>
<p><em>Image generated using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.</em></p>


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