Short-term traders turn to Pfizer

Adam Jeffery | CNBC

Pfizer

Traders are looking to make some fast money in Pfizer now that the pharmaceutical giant has pulled back to a key support level.

OptionMonster's tracking systems detected unusual activity in the Weekly 29 calls expiring next Friday, Sept. 6, where more than 7,800 contracts were purchased. Volume was almost 12 times higher than the strike's previous open interest, indicating that new positions were initiated. Most of the large blocks fetched $0.07.

These calls lock in the price where shares can be purchased, letting investors cheaply position for a rally. For instance, a gain of barely 3 percent by expiration would more than double the value of the contracts.

Pfizer rose 0.77 percent to $28.21 yesterday and has been consolidating for the last six months. It's near the bottom of that range and trying to bounce at its 200-day moving average, which could make some investors think that it's attractive at this level.

Total option volume was twice the daily average in the session, with calls outnumbering puts by a bullish 3-to-1 ratio.

—By CNBC Contributor David Russell

Additional news: Pfizer earnings beat forecasts as drugmaker plans split

Additional views: Could Street turn negative on Pfizer?

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Disclosures:

David Russell is a reporter and writer for OptionMonster. Russell has no positions in PFE.

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