Today’s tickers: VLO, WNR & TSN
VLO - Valero Energy Corp. – The largest independent refiner in the U.S. is the biggest gainer in the S&P 500 Index today, with shares in Valero Energy Corp. currently up more than 7.6% at $27.09 as of 12:10 p.m. in New York. Options activity on the San Antonio, Texas-based Company suggests traders are positioning for the price of the underlying to extend gains in the months ahead. April expiry calls attracted buyers today, with the $26 and $28 strike options seeing the most volume. Traders eyeing further upside moves in the stock purchased most of the 2,200 $28 calls in play for an average premium of $0.66 each. Call buyers profit at expiration next month in the event that Valero’s shares rally another 5.8% to surpass the average breakeven price of $28.66. But, it looks like one strategist trading VLO calls on Monday is already sitting on paper profits given the positive price action since the options were purchased. Call open interest in the April expiry is greatest at the $26 strike, with some 4,574 open positions. Most of these positions were initiated in a block of 3,700 call options, purchased on Monday afternoon for a premium of $1.05 per contract. These calls are now trading at $1.95 apiece as of 12:30 p.m. ET, indicating the value of the position has jumped roughly 85.0% in two days. Finally, the largest transaction in Valero options was established within the first 20 minutes of the opening bell. One trader appears to have sold June $24 strike puts to offset the cost of getting long the June $27 strike calls. The bullish position has the potential to become increasingly profitable for the strategist as shares climb north of the $27-level.
WNR - Western…
