Today’s tickers: SINA, BLK, KKD & SCHW
SINA - Sina Corp. – Shares in SINA Corp. quickly surrendered gains enjoyed at the open of U.S. markets, plunging as much as 11.2% to $56.05 before recovering somewhat to stand 4.5% lower on the day at a fresh 52-week low of $60.30, as of 11:30 AM in New York trade. The steep drop in SINA’s shares reportedly followed what some say is the misreading of an article in the Chinese-language version of the Wall Street Journal that mentioned the company in close proximity to research firm Muddy Waters. Shares are well off their lowest point of the session, but have not fully recovered from the selloff. Investors were quick to initiate bearish stances on the stock using put options after the stock turned-tail in early trade. Heavy trading traffic in the weekly put options indicates some traders are taking short-term bearish positions on the Chinese internet company in case shares in the name continue to come under fire over the next several sessions to expiration. Deep out-of-the-money puts are attracting substantial volume, with more than 3,900 puts changing hands at the Dec. ’02 $50 strike against open interest of just 14 contracts. It looks like investor purchased the majority of the puts at this strike for an average premium of $0.85 a-pop. Put volume exceeds 3,500 contracts up at the Dec. ’02 $55 and $57.5 strikes, as well. Options expiring on December 16 are quite active this morning, although not all transactions appear to be the work of bearish players. One investor sold a block of 3,881 puts at the Dec. $40 strike to pocket premium of $0.50 per contract. The trader walks away with the full amount of premium as long as shares in SINA Corp. top $40.00 at December expiration. SINA’s shares are down roughly 60.0% off their April 19, 2011, 52-week high of $147.12. Put buyers may profit if shares in the name continue to slide in the next few weeks.…
