Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in Bread Financial Stock?

Investors in Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. BFH need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jul 19, 2024 $30 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Bread Financial shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Bread Financial is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Financial Transaction Services industry that ranks in the Top 26% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, two analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one has dropped the estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $1.45 per share to $1.50 in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Bread Financial right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there's a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

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