Options Brief: FMC Technologies (FTI)

FTI – FMC Technologies, Inc. – The global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry popped up on our ‘hot by options volume’ market scanner in the first half of the trading day after one options investor initiated a ratio put spread in the January 2011 contract. FTI’s shares are currently down 2.05% to stand at $61.00 as of 12:10 pm ET. The put player appears to have purchased 1,000 puts at the January 2011 $55 strike at a premium of $3.95 apiece, and sold 2,000 puts at the lower January 2011 $45 strike for an average premium of $1.30 each. The net cost of the spread amounts to $1.35 per contract. Profits start to accumulate for the ratio spreader if shares of the underlying stock plummet 12.05% from the current price of $61.00 to breach the effective breakeven point on the trade at $53.65 by expiration day next year. The investor stands ready to amass maximum potential profits of $8.65 per contract should FTI’s shares tumble 26.2% to settle at $45.00 at expiration day in January 2011. Increased demand for put options on FMC Technologies today lifted the stock’s overall reading of options implied volatility 7.7% to 39.65% by 12:15 pm ET.