Options Market Statistics (2/6): Traders Purchase Large Volume of Put Options on AMC Entertainment

Futures pointed to further losses for U.S. stocks, after strong jobs data last week raised the prospect of more rate increases by the Federal Reserve.

Stocks ripped higher at the start of 2023, boosted by wagers that slowing inflation will encourage the Fed to pause rate hikes, then unwind some of them later this year. But Friday's surprisingly strong jobs report suggested the Fed might feel the need to keep raising rates to curb wage growth, and then hold rates steady for an extended period, according to The Wall Street Journal.

$Amazon.com(AMZN)$  shares plunged by more than 8% after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Federal Trade Commission was looking into an antitrust lawsuit against the online megastore, which wields considerable power over the distribution of many small companies' goods. Option volume topped nearly 1.48 million, and calls accounted for over 70% of the volume. The 110.00 calls expiring this Friday lead the flow.

$Tesla Motors(TSLA)$ shares jumped nearly 1% with option volume of 1.45 million, and calls accounted for 62.6% of the volume. The 200.00 calls expiring this Friday were traded most actively.

Third party retailers in China are offering discounts of as much as 10% on iPhone 14 Pro amid sluggish demand for smartphones. $Apple(AAPL)$  shares edged 2.46% higher, with option volume of nearly 1.12 million, and calls accounted for more than 60%. The 155.00 puts expiring this Friday were traded most actively. 

$AMC Entertainment(AMC)$ shares were mostly flat last Friday, with option volume of nearly 380,000, and calls accounted for 63.4% of the volume. The 2.00 puts expiring this March 17 were traded most actively at a volume of 190,000.

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