Bears Circle Adobe, Chips, and Beaten-Down Names

Options markets are flashing defensive signals across multiple sectors this week. The biggest negative options bets by dollar value are concentrated in semis and software — with NVDA, MU, and AMD all appearing at the top of the negative-flow leaderboard over the past seven days.

ADBE is the earnings story generating the loudest put activity. The stock is down 28.9% year-to-date. Analysts are cutting targets following disappointing results. Its RSI sits at 40, and short sellers hold a score of 38 — elevated but not extreme. The options tone is bearish, and the next catalyst is Q3 earnings.

Two heavily shorted names are also drawing options attention. WOLF carries an ORTEX short score of 75 and 8.7 days to cover. LCID holds a short score of 74 with a 7.2-day DTC. Both are down sharply this year — LCID off 60% YTD. Options bettors see limited near-term upside.

Macro stress is amplifying the bearish tilt. US Treasury yields hit multi-year highs this week. US diesel hit a record $6 a gallon on Iran supply disruption. OXY is up 49% YTD as energy bets pay off — but options flow there leans cautiously bullish rather than aggressive.

One contrarian signal: INSM shows analyst return potential of 106% after falling 45% YTD. Biotech puts remain elevated but sentiment could flip fast on any positive data.

The macro backdrop — bond stress, oil shock, chip volatility — is keeping defensive options flow dominant heading into the back half of September.