GCI - Gannett Co., Inc. – Shares in USA Today publisher, Gannett Co., Inc., jumped nearly 30% at the start of the trading session to a five-year high of $25.69 after the company agreed to purchase Belo Corp. for $1.5 billion in cash and assume $715 million in existing debt. The merger will make Gannett the fourth-largest U.S. owner of major network affiliates, doubling the company’s existing broadcast portfolio from 23 to 43 stations, according to a press release issued by the companies. The announcement and subsequent double-digit percentage move in the price of GCI shares sparked heavier than usual options activity on the stock today. Upwards of 9,500 contracts have changed hands on Gannett as of 11:50 a.m. ET versus average daily volume of around 2,100 contracts. It looks like some traders are purchasing put options on Gannett today, perhaps positioning for shares in the name to surrender some of the gains in the near term. Front month put buyers looked to the Jun $25 and $26 strikes, picking up around $350 of the $25 strike puts for an average premium of $0.82 apiece, and buying 200 of the $26 strike puts at a premium of $1.15 each. Traders may profit at expiration next week should shares in GCI decline 5.9% and 3.3% from today’s high of $25.69 to breach average breakeven points on the downside at $24.18 and $24.85, respectively. Similar strategies were initiated in the Jul $24 and $25 strike put options in the early going on Thursday.
KO - Coca-Cola Co. – Mixed trading in weekly options on Coca-Cola Co. this morning suggests some traders are positioning for shares in the world’s largest beverage company to move ahead of the weekend. The stock is currently down 1.25% at $39.89 as of 12:10 p.m. ET, even as U.S. stocks rebound following three consecutive days of declines. One trader betting shares in KO reverse declines by expiration appears to have purchased around 1,300 calls at the Jun 14 ’13 $40 strike…
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