Advertisement
Canada markets open in 2 hours 14 minutes
  • S&P/TSX

    22,107.08
    +194.56 (+0.89%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,248.49
    +44.91 (+0.86%)
     
  • DOW

    39,760.08
    +477.75 (+1.22%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7357
    -0.0016 (-0.21%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    82.28
    +0.93 (+1.14%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    96,262.53
    +826.71 (+0.87%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,230.70
    +18.00 (+0.81%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,114.35
    +44.19 (+2.13%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.1960
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    18,499.25
    -4.50 (-0.02%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    13.00
    +0.22 (+1.72%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,952.69
    +20.71 (+0.26%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6815
    +0.0010 (+0.15%)
     

Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in BELLUS Health (BLU) Stock?

Investors in BELLUS Health Inc. BLU need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Dec 17, 2021 $2.50 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 BELLUS Health shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, BELLUS Health is a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) in Medical – Biomedical and Genetics industry that ranks in Bottom 39% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, no analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while three have revised their estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from a loss of 22 cents per share to a loss of 28 cents in that period.

ADVERTISEMENT

Given the way analysts feel about BELLUS Health right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Often times, 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.

Looking to Trade Options?        

Check out the simple yet high-powered approach that Zacks Executive VP Kevin Matras has used to close recent double and triple-digit winners. In addition to impressive profit potential, these trades can actually reduce your risk.

Click to see the trades now >>


Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Bellus Health Inc. (BLU) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research