Bulls abound at Capital One

COF – Capital One Financial Corp. – Bullish traders flocked to the “what’s in your wallet?” financial services company right out of the gate this morning to pick up near-term call options. Investors populating COF options exchanged more than 7 calls on the stock for each single put option in action ahead of midday in New York. Capital One’s shares increased as much as 2.8% earlier in the session to touch an intraday high of $39.93. The stock is currently trading 1.65% higher on the day to stand at $39.50 as of 11:30 am ET. Options investors hoping to see COF shares continue to appreciate ahead of expiration day this month purchased approximately 3,500 calls at the September $40 strike for an average premium of $0.68 each. Bulls holding these contracts make money if the credit card issuer’s shares rally 3.00% over the current price to trade above the average breakeven point to the upside at $40.68 by September expiration. Optimism spread to the higher September $41 strike where investors picked up 2,600 calls for premium of $0.35 per contract. Call buyers are poised to profit should shares of the underlying stock jump 4.7% to exceed $41.35 by expiration in just over one week’s time. Bullish traders also bought 1,300 call options at the September $42 strike at a premium of $0.17 a-pop. Investors break even on their purchases if COF’s shares surge 6.75% to trade above $42.17 by expiration day. Finally, uber-bulls bought roughly 1,100 calls at the September $43 strike for an average premium of $0.11 apiece. Investors long the calls make money if the financial services provider’s shares rally 9.1% and exceed the average breakeven price of $43.11 at expiration.