Zacks Value Trader Highlights: Amazon, Facebook, Snap, Twitter and Microsoft

Shares of Snap (NYSE:SNAP) saw some unusual options activity on Thursday. Following the unusual option alert, the stock price moved up to $54.02. * Sentiment: BEARISH * Option Type: SWEEP * Trade Type: CALL * Expiration Date: 2021-01-29 * Strike Price: $57.50 * Volume: 1500 * Open Interest: 711Three Ways Options Activity Is ‘Unusual’Exceptionally large volume (compared to historical averages) is one reason for which options market activity can be considered unusual. The volume of options activity refers to the number of contracts traded over a given time period. Open interest is the number of unsettled contracts that have been traded but not yet closed by either counterparty. In other words, open interest represents the quantity of contracts that individual parties have written but not yet found a counterparty for (i.e. a buyer finding a seller, or a seller finding a buyer).The trading of a contract with an expiration date in the distant future is another sign of unusual activity. Generally, additional time until a contract expires increases the potential for it to reach its strike price and grow its time value. Time value is important in this context because it represents the difference between the strike price and the value of the underlying asset.Contracts that are “out of the money” are also indicative of unusual options activity. “Out of the money” contracts occur when the underlying price is under the strike price on a call option, or above the strike price on a put option. These trades are made with the expectation that the value of the underlying asset is going to change dramatically in the future, and buyers and sellers will benefit from a greater profit margin.Understanding Sentiment Options are “bullish” when a call is purchased at/near ask price or a put is sold at/near bid price. Options are “bearish” when a call is sold at/near bid price or a put is bought at/near ask price.These observations are made without knowing the investor’s true intent by purchasing these options contracts. The activity is suggestive of these strategies, but an observer cannot be sure if a bettor is playing the contract outright or if the options bettor is hedging a large underlying position in common stock. For the latter case, bullish options activity may be less meaningful than the exposure a large investor has on their short position in common stock.Using These Strategies To Trade Options Unusual options activity is an advantageous strategy that may greatly reward an investor if they are highly skilled, but for the less experienced trader, it should remain as another tool to make an educated investment decision while taking other observations into account.For more information to understand options alerts, visit https://pro.benzinga.help/en/articles/1769505-how-do-i-understand-options-alertsSee more from Benzinga * Click here for options trades from Benzinga * Benzinga’s Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For January 21, 2021 * 6 Communication Services Stocks With Unusual Options Alerts In Today’s Session(C) 2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Snap Inc. (NYSE: SNAP) will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

The Biden team has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Snapchat during their campaign

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Alphabet, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple and Snap