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Implied Volatility Surging for Patterson-UTI (PTEN) Stock Options

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Investors in Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.  (PTEN - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jul 17, 2020 $5.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. 

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Patterson-UTI shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently Patterson-UTI is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Oil and Gas - Drilling industry that ranks in the Top 38% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has moved from a loss of 59 cents per share to a loss of 58 cents.

Given the way analysts feel about Patterson-UTI right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock doesnot move as much as originally expected.

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