Today’s tickers: CZR, TUMI & SYY
CZR - Caesars Entertainment Corp. – The casino entertainment company and owner of the World Series of Poker® attracted heavier than usual options activity ahead of its second-quarter earnings report after the closing bell today. Shares in Caesars Entertainment Corp. are up 0.25% on the day at $8.34, but have fallen 45% from the stock’s February 7th closing high of $15.40, the same date of the company’s IPO. The purchase of 2,400 Aug. $7.5 strike put options in the first 15 minutes of the trading week suggests one trader is preparing for the price of the underlying to extend losses after earnings. The bearish position cost $0.35 per contract and makes money if shares in Caesars drop 14% from the current price to trade below a breakeven point and record low of $7.15 by August expiration.
TUMI - Tumi Holdings, Inc. – The retailer of high-end luggage, briefcases and bags is enjoying a 1.4% upside move in the price of its shares today to $18.20 ahead of its second-quarter earnings report after the final bell. Call buying initiated on the stock this morning suggests one or more options players are positioning for the price of the underlying to extend gains in the near term. Perhaps anticipating a pop in the shares after Tumi announces its quarterly results for the second time as a public company, traders exchanged more than 3,200 calls at the Aug. $20 strike against previously existing open interest of 136 contracts. It looks like most of the calls were purchased for an average premium of $0.63 apiece, thus positioning buyers to profit at expiration in the event TUMI shares surge 13% to top the average breakeven price of $20.63. Some luxury retail names, such as handbag maker, Coach, Inc., were slammed after recent top line misses. Shares in Coach fell more than 18% on July 31st after fourth-quarter revenue failed to meet analyst expectations. Tumi’s shares…
