Option traders have racked up large profits in bearish positions on Hertz (HTZ).
On Jul. 12, Market Rebellion’s Unusual Activity Service found that 4,000 August $17.50 puts were bought for $0.42 to $0.50 above the existing open interest of 401 contracts with shares at $19.05.
Those puts have traded for as much as $1.35 this session, a 170% return, while the stock fell 14.86% in the same time frame, illustrating the kind of leverage that can be achieved quickly with options.
Long puts lock in the price where a stock can be sold no matter how far it might drop, gaining value in a selloff with the potential for significant leverage. The contracts can be purchased either as an outright bearish bet or a hedge on a long-stock position.
HTZ was last down 0.57% at $16.46.
