Amarin Stock Rallies as Vascepa Earns ADA Nod
Heavy AMRN call buying could be the result of short sellers hedging
Amarin Corporation (NASDAQ:AMRN) stock is up 4.5%% to trade at $18.75, after the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended Vascepa, Amarin's fish oil-based triglyceride treatment, for patients with diabetes and certain types of heart disease. Jefferies called the decision an "incremental positive," while Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated its "overweight" rating and $35 price target.
That $35 price target represents territory AMRN hasn't approached since 2007. After flashing a buy signal earlier this month, Amarin stock is now on track for its third straight daily win after finding support at its 80-day moving average. Year-over-year, the shares boast a 523% gain, thanks mostly to a huge bull gap back in late September following breakthrough Vascepa data.
In the options pits, calls have been heavily preferred over puts on AMRN lately. Data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows speculative players have bought to open 23,461 calls in the last 10 sessions, compared to just 3,564 puts. However, given that short interest on AMRN has increased by 16.3% in the two most recent reporting periods, some of this call-buying activity could be the result of bearish bettors hedging against any upside risk.
Regardless of the motive, AMRN option premiums are attractively priced at the moment. Specifically, AMRN's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 82% ranks in the 7th percentile of its annual range. In other words, front-month options are pricing in unusually low volatility expectations.