Wary Gold Investor Sees Limit To Price Gains

Today’s tickers: LEA, GLD, ALTH, MS, FXI, XHB, EEM & BNI GLD – An investor was seen taking advantage of dollar weakness today by selling into the gold rally. Shares of the GLD are currently higher by less than 1% to $93.80. It appears that this individual expects to see healthier economic recovery and a subsequent decline in the demand for gold as a hedge through expiration in August. The trader sold short 8,500 calls at the August 100 strike price for a premium of 2.35 each in order to finance the purchase of 8,500 puts at the August 90 strike for 2.65 per contract. The transaction cost the investor 30 cents and yields a breakeven point to the downside at $89.70. Such a trade indicates medium-term bearish sentiment on gold and optimism for economic recovery. If investor-fear regarding possible catastrophic economic collapse can be assuaged over the next few months, we are likely to see a proportional decline in the demand for gold, as well. The trader also implies that the price of gold will not breach $1,000.00 by expiration. His short call position at the August 100 strike price leaves him exposed to potentially unlimited losses if shares were to rally sharply. – SPDR Gold Trust ETF LEA – The designer and manufacturer of seating and electric automotive components has experienced a significant surge in shares, up more than 33% today to reach an intra-day high of $1.62. Apparently, interest in the severely bruised, broken, and beaten-down stock was ignited after a recommendation to get long of call options was released. Retail investors were likely first on the scene making small odd-lot plays and driving up call volume. By lunch-time some 24,000 calls had exchanged hands at the July 2.5 strike price for an average premium of 23 cents apiece. More savvy investors flocked to LEA after picking up the scent of fresh profits ready to be reined in. Thus, an insignificant gathering of traders buying call options quickly evolved into a feeding frenzy of investors buying and selling roughly equal numbers of calls. Investor churning increased the premium on the July 2.5 strike calls which now tote an asking price of 35 cents. Interest in LEA spread to the September 2.5 strike where approximately 11,500 calls were traded for an average premium of 50 cents per contract. Today’s activity generated option volume of more than 48,000 lots where previously just…