Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Altria Group MO, 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 MO usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 9 extraordinary options activities for Altria Group. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 22% leaning bullish and 77% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $96,677, and 6 are calls, amounting to $262,637.
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 $20.0 and $80.0 for Altria Group, spanning the last three months.
Insights into Volume & Open Interest
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Altria Group's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Altria Group's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $20.0 to $80.0 over the preceding 30 days.
Altria Group 30-Day Option Volume & Interest Snapshot
Largest Options Trades Observed:
| Symbol | PUT/CALL | Trade Type | Sentiment | Exp. Date | Ask | Bid | Price | Strike Price | Total Trade Price | Open Interest | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MO | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/17/25 | $23.95 | $23.55 | $23.6 | $27.50 | $63.7K | 11 | 84 |
| MO | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/17/25 | $31.25 | $31.1 | $31.12 | $20.00 | $56.0K | 5 | 132 |
| MO | CALL | TRADE | BULLISH | 01/24/25 | $16.4 | $14.95 | $16.34 | $35.00 | $55.5K | 30 | 70 |
| MO | PUT | TRADE | BEARISH | 02/28/25 | $18.9 | $18.6 | $18.9 | $70.00 | $39.6K | 1 | 23 |
| MO | CALL | TRADE | BEARISH | 01/17/25 | $31.25 | $31.1 | $31.14 | $20.00 | $31.1K | 5 | 114 |
About Altria Group
Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, us Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Horizon Innovations, and Helix Innovations. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria maintains the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the us with 42% annual share in 2023. Beyond its core business, it holds an 8% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, a 42% stake in cannabis manufacturer Cronos, acquired Njoy Holdings in 2023, and operates a joint venture with Japan Tobacco in the heated tobacco category. It also recently disposed of its investment in Juul Labs.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Altria Group, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
Current Position of Altria Group
- With a volume of 2,091,323, the price of MO is up 0.27% at $51.18.
- RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching oversold.
- Next earnings are expected to be released in 14 days.
What Analysts Are Saying About Altria Group
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $54.0.
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. * In a cautious move, an analyst from Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating to Equal-Weight, setting a price target of $54.
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 Altria Group with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts.
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
