F&O Insights for 03/04/2025: Unusual Options Activity

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only, based on data as of 1 PM IST on April 3, 2025. This is not financial advice. Trading involves risks. Always do your own analysis and manage risk before trading.

Welcome to this today’s F&O Insights! This edition dives into new stock expiries launched for 24 April 2025, offering a fresh view on trader sentiment across key stocks.

Section 1: Understanding Stock Activity Through OI Changes

Here’s what’s moving in key stocks based on price changes and Open Interest (OI) shifts.

Underlying Price Change Call OI Chg Put OI Chg Call Explanation Put Explanation
ULTRACEMCO 11,488.05 2.11% 601 1332 Long Buildup Long Buildup
HCLTECH 1,473.60 -3.53% 1029469 2023717 Short Buildup Short Buildup
ICICIBANK 1,330.70 -0.04% 2661 1297 Short Buildup Short Buildup
RELIANCE 1,250.25 -0.07% 3320 1362 Short Buildup Short Buildup
TCS 3,406.05 -3.89% 13391 5168 Short Buildup Short Buildup
BAJFINANCE 8,582.55 -1.00% 5593 2117 Short Buildup Short Buildup
SUNPHARMA 1,771.00 3.35% 11090 3001 Long Buildup Long Buildup
NTPC 359.20 2.12% 4455 1016 Long Buildup Long Buildup
HDFC Bank 1792.05 -0.27% 959 1226 Short Buildup Short Buildup

What Do These Terms Mean?

  • Long Buildup: OI rises with price moving favorably—up for calls (bullish) or down for puts (bearish). Traders are buying options, expecting that direction.
    • Example: SUNPHARMA’s calls and puts show Long Buildup with a 3.35% gain—bullish bets!
  • Short Buildup: OI rises, but price moves against buyers—down for calls (bearish) or up for puts (bullish). Suggests option selling.
    • Example: TCS’s calls show Short Buildup with a 3.89% drop—call writers expect no rally.
  • Short Covering: OI drops with price rising (for calls) or falling (for puts). Short sellers buy back options, fueling the move.
  • Long Unwinding: OI drops with price falling (for calls) or rising (for puts). Long holders exit, signaling doubt.

Quick Take: Massive OI shifts (e.g., HCLTECH’s 1M+ calls) with Short Buildup signal heavy bearish pressure—watch for key levels!

Section 2: Spotlight on High-Activity Options

These options show significant trading volume relative to OI, highlighting strikes traders are targeting.

Contract Volume/OI Ratio Explanation VOLUME OI IV
HCLTECH 23400 CE 24 Apr 2025 29.60 Short Buildup (Bearish) 4308855 145588 6.47
HCLTECH 23250 CE 24 Apr 2025 28.40 Short Buildup (Bearish) 9533132 335707 1.48
HCLTECH 23050 PE 24 Apr 2025 26.52 Short Buildup (Bullish) 1902244 71716 10.14
HCLTECH 23300 PE 24 Apr 2025 25.38 Short Buildup (Bullish) 6902503 271931 5.31
SUNPHARMA 1800 PE 24 Apr 2025 5.01 Short Buildup (Bullish) 5320 1062 21.99
SUNPHARMA 1900 CE 24 Apr 2025 4.46 Long Buildup (Bullish) 5480 1230 19.53
BAJFINANCE 8600 PE 24 Apr 2025 4.81 Long Buildup (Bearish) 7792 1621 28.8
BAJFINANCE 8000 PE 24 Apr 2025 4.63 Long Buildup (Bearish) 10251 2213 30.71
BAJFINANCE 8700 CE 24 Apr 2025 3.87 Short Buildup (Bearish) 7566 1957 27.65
TCS 3450 PE 24 Apr 2025 3.78 Long Buildup (Bearish) 3986 1054 29.07
TCS 3300 PE 24 Apr 2025 3.00 Short Covering (Bearish) 6771 2258 29.29
TCS 3450 CE 24 Apr 2025 2.47 Short Buildup (Bearish) 3013 1220 26.49
ULTRACEMCO 11500 CE 24 Apr 2025 3.63 Short Covering (Bullish) 4153 1144 21.76
ULTRACEMCO 12000 CE 24 Apr 2025 2.124730022 Short Covering (Bullish) 3935 1852 22.24
HDFCBANK 1780 CE 24 Apr 2025 3.23 Long Unwinding (Bearish) 3861 1194 17.87
NTPC 360 CE 24 Apr 2025 2.92 Long Buildup (Bullish) 7059 2416 21.78
NTPC 350 PE 24 Apr 2025 2.071969697 Short Buildup (Bullish) 2188 1056 25.19
ICICIBANK 1330 CE 24 Apr 2025 2.87 Short Buildup (Bearish) 4303 1498 20.67
RELIANCE 1240 CE 24 Apr 2025 2.61 Short Buildup (Bearish) 3626 1389 19.47

How to Understand Volume/OI Ratio

  • What It Is: Compares today’s trading volume to existing OI. A higher ratio means more new trades.
  • What It Suggests:
    • Above 2: Notable interest—traders see this strike as key (e.g., NTPC’s 2.92 at 360 CE).
    • Above 5: Strong activity, often tied to big expectations (e.g., HCLTECH’s 29.60 at 23400 CE).
    • Below 1: Quiet—positions are likely being held or closed.
  • Why It Matters: High ratios highlight “hot” strikes—potential support or resistance zones.

Final Thoughts

F&O data reveals the market’s split—OI shifts show bearish IT and bullish cement/pharma, while high Volume/OI Ratios (like HCLTECH’s 29.60) spotlight key action. Pair these clues with charts to navigate the mix!

Happy trading—see you next time!

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only, based on data as of 1 PM IST on April 3, 2025. This is not financial advice. Trading involves risks. Always do your own analysis and manage risk before trading.