Splunk Inc (SPLK) options in focus as shares move higher; call volume pops in shipping stocks

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Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX) – Similar to shares in drybulk shipping company, Genco, shares in Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX) started Friday’s trading session in positive territory, up as much as 1.7% in the early going to reach an intraday high of $8.76. Gains, however, were short-lived with the stock now down 1.4% to arrive at $8.49 as of 12:35 p.m. ET. Volume in Diana Shipping options this morning was heaviest in the February and March expiry calls. More than 5,500 calls have changed hands at the Feb. $9.0 strike against open interest of just 837 contracts. The contracts were mostly purchased at an average premium of $0.25 each, thus positioning buyers to profit in the event that shares in Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX) climb 9% to top the average breakeven price of $9.25. Like-minded bulls snapped up around 1,100 calls at the Mar. $9.0 strike, paying an average premium of $0.40 per contract.

Caitlin Duffy

Equity Options Analyst

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