WATT Stock Rallies After FCC Approves Hearing Device

WATT has made big moves in 2018

Energous Corp (NASDAQ:WATT) is trading 38.3% higher this morning at $6.37, following news the company's sound amplification device, Delight, has been approved for sale in the U.S. by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Delight PSAP is similar to a hearing aid, but will be available without a prescription.

Back in September, WATT stock got a bump after its WattUp Near Field technology won regulatory approval in 100 countries, but the shares quickly resumed their long-term. Even with today's gains, the equity is pacing to close 2018 with a 67% deficit. Indeed, the shares haven't had one positive quarter this year, logging declines of 17.6%, 7.5%, and 31.8%, on top of a 37% slide so far this quarter.

Short sellers still control a large portion of Energous' float, about 35% to be exact. Going by average daily trading volumes, it would take short sellers more than two weeks to cover their positions.

In the meantime, options traders have continued to buy calls on WATT. The security's 50-day call/put volume ratio across the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) stands at 3.51, showing call buying has more than tripled put buying in the past 10 weeks.