Caesars Entertainment Surges 11.55% Amid Unprecedented Options Activity

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: December 27, 2023

Amid conjecture surrounding a possible reduction in Federal Reserve interest rates in the first quarter of 2024, growth stocks—specifically, Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR)—have seen a notable surge. The CZR has risen an amazing 11.55% in the last week, drawing interest from options traders and investors alike.

The most noteworthy feature of this rise is the extraordinary volume of options trading that was seen in late trade. A whopping 23 times more calls than puts were traded than the average volume at this point, totaling an astounding 49,000 calls and 15,000 puts. Notably, the $55-strike call on January 19, 2024, became the center of attention and attracted a wave of new positions.

The large increase in options activity has sparked curiosity among market analysts, who are now investigating the possible causes of this noteworthy upsurge. The large number of options being exchanged, especially in the $55-strike call, points to increased interest in and conjecture about Caesars Entertainment’s near-term future.

Bullish Bets Signal Confidence

A good sign of the bullishness among options traders is the popularity of the January $55-strike call. In order to profit from these contracts, Caesars’ stock needs to rise over $55 by January 19. Given that the stock price is currently just over$48, this suggests a significant wager on sizable short-term gains. The fact that call options have surged so much more than puts indicates that investors are quite confident in Caesars’ future upside.

The data from the options market indicates a favorable feeling among investors in addition to a jump in activity. The most common type of trade in Caesars options right now is calls, which are usually a sign of confidence regarding the appreciation of an asset. Despite the massive ransomware attack on Caesars in 2023, investors have kept an optimistic outlook when it comes to Caesars Entertainment as a brand and as an investment.

Challenges and Analyst Sentiments

Even if there is a noticeable increase in options activity, the gaming company is making some difficult news at the same time. Joseph Greff, an analyst at JPMorgan, recently cut his price objective for CZR from $60 to $55, although he kept his “overweight” rating on the stock. In a similar vein, TD Cowen maintained its “overweight” rating despite lowering its price objective from $76 to $63.

The rise in options activity might be attributed to these notable analysts’ modifications to their price targets. Options are a popular tool used by investors to manage and profit from market volatility, particularly in the face of divergent analyst opinions. One explanation for the rise in options trading volume could be the way that Caesars’ perceived value is changing.

Preference for Macau Operators: A Potential Headwind for Caesars

When it comes to the casino equities market, sell-side experts clearly favor Macau operators until 2024. There is increasing fear that gaming companies with a domestic concentration may encounter difficulties as a result of a possible decline in discretionary spending by consumers. Caesars could be especially vulnerable in this kind of situation because they are mostly focused on domestic markets.

Caesars Entertainment’s present market dynamics are set against a contextual backdrop of this broader industry outlook and the preference for Macau operators. The increase in options trading despite optimistic conjecture as well as pessimistic expert perceptions complicates the company’s ongoing story.