Unusual Options Activity In SPDR ETF, XLE

Global oil prices are under pressure due to no resolution in sight regarding the US-China trade war, ultimately sapping demand for oil and weaker than expected economic data that came out of Europe on Thursday.  As a result, U.S crude oil prices had their largest drop of the 2019 on Thurs, oil prices are now below $60 and oil price are at a three month low.

The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund seeks to provide an effective representation of the energy sector of the S&P 500 Index.  The top holdings include:

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The SPDR Energy Select Sector ETF droppped 3.3% toward a 4 1/2-month low, and was by far the biggest decliners of the SPDR ETFs tracking the S&P 500’s 11 sectors, while the S&P 500 shed 1.3%. All 29 of the ETF’s (XLE) equity components were losing ground, led by shares of Hess Corp. , down 6.8% and Diamondback Energy Inc. , down 6.1%.

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Thus, I wasn’t surprised to see the Smart Money buying a boat load of the January 2020 put options with a strike price at $55 in XLE yesterday.

This signifies to me that they think the trade war won’t be resolve anytime soon and the global economy will continue to deteriorate as a result.  And lastly the chart suggests that there is nothing to stop price on XLE as the nearest level of demand sits at the monthly level at $51. 

This post is my personal opinion. I’m not a financial advisor, this isn’t financial advise. Do your own research before making investment decisions.