Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Merck & Co MRK.
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MRK, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 15 options trades for Merck & Co.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 0% bullish and 86%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $51,118, and 14, calls, for a total amount of $1,280,570.
Predicted Price Range
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $100.0 to $130.0 for Merck & Co over the last 3 months.
Volume & Open Interest Trends
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Merck & Co stands at 1654.2, with a total volume reaching 1,658.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Merck & Co, situated within the strike price corridor from $100.0 to $130.0, throughout the last 30 days.
Merck & Co Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days
Biggest Options Spotted:
| Symbol | PUT/CALL | Trade Type | Sentiment | Exp. Date | Ask | Bid | Price | Strike Price | Total Trade Price | Open Interest | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 09/20/24 | $7.25 | $7.1 | $7.15 | $125.00 | $122.2K | 2.8K | 4 |
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/16/26 | $28.3 | $27.65 | $27.65 | $110.00 | $121.6K | 1.4K | 263 |
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/16/26 | $27.65 | $27.5 | $27.5 | $110.00 | $121.0K | 1.4K | 68 |
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/16/26 | $28.1 | $27.6 | $27.6 | $110.00 | $113.1K | 1.4K | 345 |
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/16/26 | $27.65 | $27.4 | $27.4 | $110.00 | $106.8K | 1.4K | 24 |
About Merck & Co
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent pediatric diseases as well as human papillomavirus, or HPV. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the company's sales are generated in the United States.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Merck & Co, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
Where Is Merck & Co Standing Right Now?
- Currently trading with a volume of 5,178,558, the MRK's price is up by 3.62%, now at $128.28.
- RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.
- Anticipated earnings release is in 29 days.
Expert Opinions on Merck & Co
In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $155.0.
- In a cautious move, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded its rating to Overweight, setting a price target of $155.
- An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Overweight, adjusting the price target to $155.
- Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald lowers its rating to Overweight with a new price target of $155.
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 Merck & Co with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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