Today’s tickers: DNKN, AXP, LXK & CBG
DNKN – Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. – Options activity on the franchisor of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins quick service restaurants spiked one day before analysts are expected to initiate coverage on the company. Shares in DNKN rallied as much as 6.1% to $27.95 this morning, but cooled to $26.95 in early-afternoon trade as investors await analyst opinion on the stock. The Canton, Massachusetts-based company’s shares are currently a far-cry from the $31.94-high achieved days after the IPO, but some traders are looking to the options market to speculate on a move in that direction. More than 3,000 options have changed hands on the stock thus far in the session, which is substantial next to overall open interest of 5,439 contracts. Demand is decidedly skewed in favor of calls on Dunkin’ Brands, with roughly 7 call options trading on the stock for each single put option in play this afternoon. The wave of activity lifted options implied volatility on DNKN 9.1% to 59.18% by 1:10 pm on the East Coast.
Bullish players itching for a near-term rally in the price of the underlying snapped up calls in the front month. It looks like traders purchased at least 1,000 calls at the September $30 strike for an average premium of $0.36 a-pop. Call buyers profit if shares in the provider of frozen treats and breakfast sandwiches surge 12.65% over the current price of $26.95 to surpass the average breakeven point to the upside at $30.36 by September expiration day. Like-minded optimists hungry for a Dunkin’ rally picked up around 185 calls out at the October $30 strike for a premium of $1.00 per contract. Positive analyst coverage of the America runs on Dunkin’ donut-maker could potentially spur a sprint to buy up shares in the stock to the delight of call holders. Of course, if it turns out analysts don’t quite have a sweet tooth for ice…
