Market Whales Target Bank OZK Options with Bearish Bets

Recently, there has been notable interest among large investors concerning Bank OZK (NASDAQ: OZK), as they appear to have taken a bearish position on the stock. This information is critical for retail traders to consider while making investment decisions.

Today's data showed intriguing trades that were highlighted through recently monitored options activity. While it remains unclear whether these moves stem from institutional players or wealthy individual investors, significant market actions often indicate that someone may have vital information about upcoming events.

Our analysis reveals that Benzinga's options scanner identified 15 unusual trades related to Bank OZK today, marking an extraordinary day of activity.

Investor Sentiment Overview

In evaluating the overall sentiment of these big-money investors, it is evident that there is a noticeable bearish inclination, with about 60% of the trades showing a bearish outlook compared to 20% bullish trades. Among the 15 options trades uncovered, there were 3 put options totaling approximately $402,715 and 12 call options amounting to around $2,175,699.

Expected Price Movement

The trading activities suggest that these significant investors anticipate Bank OZK's stock could move into a price range between $40.00 and $60.00 over the next three months.

Options Volume and Open Interest Insights

A closer look at the volume and open interest gives traders valuable insights into the liquidity and interest in Bank OZK's options for specific strike prices. The following data outlines the changes in volume and open interest related to substantial trades spanning strike prices from $40.00 to $60.00 over the last month.

Analysis of Options Activity Over the Past Month

The table below illustrates the significant options trades detected, offering more context on the types of positions taken by investors.

Symbol	PUT/CALL	Trade Type	Sentiment	Exp. Date	Ask	Bid	Price	Strike Price	Total Trade Price	Open Interest	Volume
OZK	CALL	SWEEP	BEARISH	02/21/25	$8.7	$8.4	$8.4	$40.00	$462.0K	1.9K	556
OZK	CALL	SWEEP	NEUTRAL	02/21/25	$8.7	$8.4	$8.4	$40.00	$405.6K	1.9K	1.6K
OZK	CALL	SWEEP	BULLISH	01/17/25	$5.5	$5.2	$5.5	$42.50	$290.9K	981	529
OZK	CALL	SWEEP	BEARISH	02/21/25	$8.7	$8.4	$8.48	$40.00	$252.7K	1.9K	856
OZK	PUT	SWEEP	BEARISH	03/21/25	$12.1	$10.4	$12.2	$60.00	$183.0K	0	150

About Bank OZK

Bank OZK is a bank holding company that manages the community bank, Bank of the Ozarks. The bank has a presence in several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, California, New York, and Mississippi. It offers various banking services, such as checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, loans, and treasury management.

Current Market Position of Bank OZK

As of now, Bank OZK exhibits a trading volume of 2,628,929 shares, with the stock price rising by approximately 5.76% to $47.95. Current technical indicators suggest that the stock may be in overbought territory. Notably, the next earnings report is anticipated within 89 days.

Expert Opinions on Bank OZK

An analyst recently provided insights, suggesting an average target price of $53.00, following some revisions to previous assessments. One key recommendation is to maintain a cautious stance, adjusting investment strategies in response to evolving market conditions. For those looking to follow this stock closely, having access to resources that provide real-time updates on options trades for Bank OZK can be highly beneficial.

Options trading can be more volatile compared to regular stock trading, but it also offers a chance for higher returns. Traders can lower their risk by educating themselves, diversifying their strategies, and closely following market trends.

OZK, Options, Investors