Huge Uptick in Options Trading

Every now and then I see an absurd tick on an option. By way of example, a few weeks ago I saw a Citi option that was trading around 30 cents transact for $1.50.

Similarly today I saw another option (I think NBG) that traded on a similar magnitude... actual range of something like 40 cents and the days ranges was .30-1.00.

Are these sales done by someone in the market to mask their trading strategy? Is it an expensive fuck up by someone? Or is it just a bug in the system?

Reason I ask is... now I'm thinking I should have indefinite sell orders on my option positions at like 10-20x the prevailing market price... and maybe it will actually get a bite.

I'm also thinking that on lesser volume options (obviously not C)... having such a high ask... could upwardly influence the option price.

6 Comments
 

You won't get filled up there if you leave a 'take profit' at 10-20x market price. When it does happen, the trade will be cancelled. I honestly don't think you have a choice on the matter. I have had this happen maybe 2 dozen times as a major trader at a major bank in London, and those trades ALWAYS get cancelled. I am honestly not sure if you're even allowed to try to enforce the deal.

You might want to look into that before wasting your time putting in worthless 'take profits.'

 
brotherbearYou won't get filled up there if you leave a 'take profit' at 10-20x market price. When it does happen, the trade will be cancelled. I honestly don't think you have a choice on the matter. I have had this happen maybe 2 dozen times as a major trader at a major bank in London, and those trades ALWAYS get cancelled. I am honestly not sure if you're even allowed to try to enforce the deal.

You might want to look into that before wasting your time putting in worthless 'take profits.'

This still holds, so don't waste your time.

You'll see the extra $10k in your account, smile, and then two hours later it will be gone.

"Salesmen and traders are wild, cunning, aboriginal creatures who advise money managers about deceiving their bosses and finding new strip bars; their favourite phrase is, "Fuck you." IBankers eat fruit. Salesmen and traders eat meat, preferably fried."
 

Adipisci labore illo est beatae. Consequatur ipsa doloremque sed.

Itaque eveniet et aperiam voluptas asperiores et et. Animi nostrum hic distinctio qui. Accusantium occaecati ullam perferendis et dolores. Consequatur dicta sapiente architecto quos repellendus est aperiam magni.

Excepturi non eius qui veniam consectetur eius inventore. Voluptatem perferendis praesentium doloremque ea aut maiores. Voluptates doloremque animi amet repellendus eos modi quibusdam similique. Eius illum consequatur non eligendi. Ipsum quibusdam commodi beatae officiis sint sit.

Error consequatur laboriosam impedit velit sunt quia sit. Porro laborum soluta tenetur. Quia quidem libero nesciunt dolor. Rerum sunt perferendis autem magni non. Voluptatem vero unde nostrum totam maiores eveniet neque. Omnis quas iure voluptatibus rerum dolorum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”