Twitter Stock Earnings Reaction Could Reward Options Bulls

The round-number $40 mark has been targeted by TWTR options traders recently

Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) stock is trading up 6% in electronic trading, after the social media name reported an 18% rise in second-quarter revenue to $841 million -- more than anticipated -- as monetizable daily active usage (mDAU) arrived at a stronger-than-expected 139 million. Additionally, total ad revenue jumped 21%, and total ad engagements surged 20%. Adjusted second-quarter profit, on the other hand, came in less than expected at 5 cents per share.

Today's pre-market upside has TWTR shares set to open above the round $40 mark for the first time since early May. The shares have added 11% since bouncing from their 120-day moving average in late June through last night's close at $38.12, and are now headed for their first monthly win since April.

Options traders were positioned for a post-earnings round-number breakout. The August 40 call has seen a notable rise in open interest over the past two weeks, with more than 7,800 contracts added, and data from Trade-Alert points to buy-to-open activity here.

A round of bull notes could keep the wind at the equity's back. While the brokerage bunch has yet to weigh in this morning, 17 of 25 analysts currently call TWTR a "hold" or "strong sell," and the average 12-month price target of $39.79 is a slim 4.4% premium to the equity's Thursday settlement.