QUALCOMM Sees Over $1 Million in Unusual Put Activity as Stock Slides 2.16% Monday

By TrendSpider Editor

Unusual options activity is flashing a bearish signal on QUALCOMM Incorporated, with four put contracts generating a combined $1,052,531.60 in total premium as shares fell 2.16% to $162.21 on Monday. The activity spans near-term expirations in late August and early September as well as deep long-dat

QUALCOMM Sees Over $1 Million in Unusual Put Activity as Stock Slides 2.16% Monday

Unusual options activity is flashing a bearish signal on QUALCOMM Incorporated, with four put contracts generating a combined $1,052,531.60 in total premium as shares fell 2.16% to $162.21 on Monday. The activity spans near-term expirations in late August and early September as well as deep long-dated contracts stretching out to December 2028, suggesting a multi-horizon bearish thesis is developing. With QCOM currently trading well below its 52-week high of $259.92 and closer to its 52-week low of $121.99, the stock remains in a challenged technical position that appears to be drawing fresh put interest.

Key Drivers of the QCOM Stock Move

The forward setup for QCOM is notably complex. The stock is already down sharply from its 52-week high of $259.92, and Monday's session added another 2.16% loss, reinforcing the downtrend pressure. The concentration of premium in the two December 2028 contracts suggests at least one large participant is willing to commit significant capital to a long-duration bearish thesis, rather than simply making a short-term directional trade. Near-term puts at the $157.50 strike expiring August 28 and September 4 add a tactical layer to the activity, pointing to expectations of continued weakness in the weeks immediately ahead. Traders and investors should watch whether the $157.50 level becomes a near-term downside target as options market participants appear to be positioning for further deterioration.

QCOM Unusual Options Activity

All four flagged contracts are puts, with zero calls appearing in Monday's unusual activity scan. Here is a breakdown of each contract:

The put-to-call ratio on today's unusual flow is absolute, with 4 puts and 0 calls flagged. The September $157.50 put printing at 1,000% of existing open interest is the most statistically extreme print of the session, indicating that contract was essentially opened from scratch on Monday.

QCOM Seasonality

Mid-August has historically represented a transitional period for semiconductor stocks as the market looks ahead to back-to-school demand signals and early reads on holiday supply chain positioning. Weakness in this window, if sustained, can set a cautious tone heading into the September and October earnings cycle.

QCOM Relative Performance

QCOM's 2.16% decline on Monday stands out as a notable underperformer within the broader semiconductor space. The stock's current price of $162.21 sits dramatically below its 52-week high of $259.92, a gap of roughly 37.6%, while remaining only modestly above its 52-week low of $121.99. This positioning near the lower end of its annual range underscores the sustained relative weakness QCOM has experienced compared to peers that have reclaimed or approached their prior highs.

More on QCOM

Latest Market News