Negative options bets dominated flow in US markets this week. Micron Technology led the screen for both positive and negative options bets, reflecting split sentiment ahead of its Q4 results. The stock is up 284% year to date. That run has drawn two-sided flows, with traders loading both aggressive calls and protective puts.
Rivian Automotive is drawing sharper bearish attention. The stock fell after reporting Q3 production and delivery numbers on Friday. Its short score sits at 67.7 and days-to-cover at 5.8, among the higher readings in the auto space. RSI at 40 puts it in weakening territory. With the stock down 25% year to date, put activity here reflects a market pricing in further pressure.
Wolfspeed shows the most extreme short positioning in the semiconductor screen. Its short score is 78.2 and DTC runs above 11. Options sentiment around heavily shorted names like this tends to skew bearish, as traders use puts to express or hedge crowded short positions.
Palantir carries a 10-standard-deviation spike in Wikipedia page views according to ORTEX alt data, measured on 21 September. Retail attention at that level often precedes a burst in call-buying. The stock is down 16% year to date, so any renewed retail enthusiasm would meet a depressed entry point.
The macro backdrop adds weight to the cautious tone. Euro-area inflation climbed to 3.8% in September, the third consecutive monthly rise. German HICP reached 3.3% in the same period. Elevated European inflation narrows the room for rate relief and keeps pressure on risk assets globally.
ORTEX Market Intelligence content is generated by AI from a snapshot of ORTEX's proprietary data. Content is informational only and does not constitute investment advice.
