Options Trading Outlook
Investors tracking Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (Symbol: BABA) have the opportunity to dabble in options trading as new contracts for the April 12th expiration have entered the market today. By delving into the BABA options chain, traders can unearth one put and one call contract piquing interest.
Put Option Potential
Delving into the realm of put options, a contract at the $73.00 strike price catches the eye, boasting a current bid of $2.68. Initiating a sell-to-open action on this put contract implies a commitment to acquire the stock at $73.00, yet also entails the perk of collecting the premium, thereby setting the cost basis of the shares at $70.32, sans broker commissions. For an investor contemplating BABA stock purchase, such a move could emerge as an appealing alternative to shelling out $74.17 per share at present.
Call Option Potential
Shifting focus to call options, a contract at the $75.00 strike price beckons with a current bid of $3.10. Entering the scene as a “covered call” by purchasing BABA shares at the current price level of $74.17 per share and engaging in a sell-to-open action on the call contract, investors embark on a commitment to offload the stock at $75.00. This strategic step could yield a total return (exclusive of dividends) of 5.30% should the stock be called away upon the April 12th expiration (pre-broker commissions).
Analyzing Historical Data
Rifling through the annals of BABA’s trailing twelve-month trading history proves instrumental in gauging the potential outcomes of option trading. Visual representations indicate the strategic positioning of the $73.00 and $75.00 strike prices against this historical backdrop, guiding investors in their decision-making process.
Market Speculation and Risk Mitigation
Although the $73.00 and $75.00 strike prices reflect a discount and premium, respectively, to BABA’s current trading price, there remains the possibility of these options expiring worthless. Balancing market speculation with risk mitigation, traders must weigh the odds of these outcomes, illustrated by analytical data and implications for the investor’s returns.
Volatility and Further Exploration
Considering the current market landscape and volatility, pegged at 39% by analyzing the past 251 trading day closing values alongside today’s price of $74.17, investors are encouraged to explore a myriad of put and call options contract ideas for a diversified and informed trading strategy. For a deeper dive into potential options, a visit to StockOptionsChannel.com holds promise.