Option Focus | Netflix’s $972,500 Long-Dated Put Buy and OTM Call Sale Signal Institutional Bearish Conviction Despite Stock’s 2.68% Rise

Option Witch
Yesterday

Netflix ended the session at $71.57, rising 2.68%.

The large-trade flow, however, was decidedly bearish. A $972,500 long-dated put buy dominated the session, while an out-of-the-money call sale added a second layer of downside conviction. Despite the stock’s gain, institutional positioning leaned heavily toward protection and limited upside, suggesting a cautious outlook beneath the surface momentum.

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Options Indicators

Netflix’s implied volatility stands at 43.33%, and with an IV percentile of 66.93%, current volatility conditions sit in a broadly neutral zone rather than at an extreme. At the same time, the IV/HV ratio of 1.29 shows implied volatility is running above historical volatility, suggesting options are carrying a modest premium but are not yet in clearly expensive territory. The Call/Put volume ratio is 2.96.

Large Trades

A put buy worth $972,500 was the standout large trade, with 2,500 contracts of the March 19, 2027 $65.00 put purchased while Netflix was referenced at $71.57. This was an out-of-the-money bearish position, giving the buyer downside exposure below the strike over a long-dated horizon. The structure points to a trader paying premium for protection or for a directional bet that Netflix could weaken materially over time, and the long expiry suggests conviction in a sustained bearish thesis rather than a short-term hedge alone.

A call sale worth $25,700 was also notable, with 1,167 contracts of the October 16, 2026 $75.00 call sold. With the stock at $71.57, this call was out of the money, making it a bearish to neutral income-oriented position that benefits if Netflix remains below the strike through expiration. The trade implies the seller was comfortable capping upside in exchange for premium collection, reinforcing a view that the shares are unlikely to stage a strong rally into that level.

Overall, the large-trade flow in Netflix was clearly bearish. The order flow was dominated by put buying, led by the sizable long-dated $65.00 put purchase, while the additional call selling further supported a cautious to negative outlook. Taken together, the bulk activity suggests institutions were more focused on downside exposure and defensive positioning than on upside participation, indicating a market stance that expects weakness or at least limited upside in Netflix.

Strategy Reference

For traders seeking low assignment probability on the call side, selling the October 16, 2026 $75.00 call or a higher strike with a lower delta could align with the bearish flow, while a bear put spread using the March 19, 2027 $65.00/$55.00 puts may offer defined risk for those wary of posting large margin on a standalone long put.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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