Check Out What Whales Are Doing With VRTX

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Vertex Pharmaceuticals VRTX.

And retail traders should know.

We noticed this today when the trades 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 VRTX, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.

So how do we know what these investors just did?

Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 13 uncommon options trades for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

This isn't normal.

The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 46% bullish and 46%, bearish.

Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 9 are puts, for a total amount of $531,578, and 4 are calls, for a total amount of $125,460.

Expected Price Movements

After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $415.0 and $680.0 for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, spanning the last three months.

Insights into Volume & Open Interest

In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Vertex Pharmaceuticals stands at 665.64, with a total volume reaching 1,785.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Vertex Pharmaceuticals, situated within the strike price corridor from $415.0 to $680.0, throughout the last 30 days.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals 30-Day Option Volume & Interest Snapshot

Biggest Options Spotted:

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that discovers and develops small-molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. Its key drugs are Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko, and Trikafta/Kaftrio for cystic fibrosis, where Vertex therapies remain the standard of care globally. Vertex has diversified its portfolio through Casgevy, a gene-editing therapy for beta thalassemia and sickle-cell disease. Additionally, Vertex is evaluating small-molecule inhibitors targeting acute and chronic pain using nonopioid treatments, and small-molecule inhibitors of APOL1-mediated kidney diseases. Vertex is also investigating cell therapies to deliver a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes.

Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.

Where Is Vertex Pharmaceuticals Standing Right Now?

• Currently trading with a volume of 891,270, the VRTX's price is down by -3.75%, now at $451.64.
• RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.
• Anticipated earnings release is in 47 days.

What The Experts Say On Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Over the past month, 2 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $522.0.

Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move

Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access. * An analyst from Stifel has decided to maintain their Hold rating on Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which currently sits at a price target of $494. * Showing optimism, an analyst from Jefferies upgrades its rating to Buy with a revised price target of $550.

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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro.