Options Action: Implied moves for next week & the Ralph Lauren trade

CNBC TelevisionAbout 3 min readMay 17, 2025Watch original
THE SUMMARYAI-generated

Key Concepts:

  • Implied Earnings Move: The expected percentage change in a stock's price following an earnings announcement, derived from options prices.
  • At-the-Money (ATM) Calls: Call options with a strike price equal to the current market price of the underlying asset.
  • Strangle: An options strategy involving the simultaneous purchase of an out-of-the-money call and an out-of-the-money put option with the same expiration date.
  • De Minimis: A threshold value below which imported goods are exempt from duties and taxes.
  • Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods.
  • Cyclicality: The sensitivity of a business to economic cycles.
  • Athleisure: Casual clothing designed to be suitable both for exercise and everyday wear.

Options Trading Strategies and Earnings Season

Mike Co. discusses options strategies in anticipation of earnings reports for several companies, focusing on implied earnings moves and risk mitigation.

  • Home Depot: Options imply an almost 4% move following earnings.
  • Palo Alto Networks: Options imply a larger move, around 8%.
  • Toll Brothers: Options imply a move of about 6%.
  • Target: Options imply a move of over 9%, indicating higher uncertainty.
  • Ralph Lauren: Options imply a move of a little over 5%.

Ralph Lauren Trade Idea

Mike Co. presents a specific options strategy for Ralph Lauren, acknowledging the stock's potential upside but also recognizing resistance around the $280 level and the historical impact of tariffs.

  • Strategy: Buy October at-the-money (ATM) 280 calls.
  • Financing: Sell a 240/310 strangle expiring in June to partially offset the cost of the call options.
  • Rationale: This strategy aims to capture potential upside while reducing risk by using the premium from the strangle to finance the call purchase.

Concerns Regarding Apparel and Discretionary Spending

Tim expresses caution regarding apparel and discretionary spending, citing the cyclical nature of the business and potential impacts from tariffs.

  • Cyclicality: The apparel industry is sensitive to economic cycles, and past performance may not be indicative of future results.
  • Tariffs: Tariffs can negatively impact companies that rely on international trade and supply chains.

Ralph Lauren's Growth and Challenges

The discussion highlights potential challenges for Ralph Lauren, including slowing growth in the US and the impact of tariffs on international expansion.

  • US Slowdown: Growth in the US market may be slowing, particularly among younger generations who prefer jeans and athleisure over traditional Ralph Lauren styles.
  • International Growth: Ralph Lauren's growth is expected to come internationally, but tariffs could pose a risk to this expansion.

Gap's Performance and Retail Sector Considerations

The conversation touches on Gap's recent performance and broader considerations for the retail sector, including the impact of tariffs and the de minimis loophole.

  • Gap's Performance: One participant sold Gap stock too early, missing out on recent gains driven by positive earnings news.
  • De Minimis Loophole: The discussion raises the question of whether closing the de minimis loophole will significantly impact retail sales, potentially reallocating shopping dollars away from major chains.

Conclusion

The discussion provides insights into options trading strategies for earnings season, focusing on implied earnings moves and risk management. It also highlights potential challenges for the retail sector, including slowing growth, tariffs, and changing consumer preferences. The Ralph Lauren trade idea exemplifies a strategy to capitalize on potential upside while mitigating risk through options combinations.

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