ELV Whale Alert: $36M Bullish Bet Ahead of Q3 Earnings!
Someone just bet $36 MILLION on Elevance Health exploding higher by September 19th! π¨ This isn't your neighbor Bob trading on Robinhood - this is institution...
π₯ ELV Whale Alert: $36M Bullish Bet Ahead of Q3 Earnings!
π August 22, 2025 | π₯ Unusual Activity Detected
π― The Quick Take
Someone just bet $36 MILLION on Elevance Health exploding higher by September 19th! π¨ This isn't your neighbor Bob trading on Robinhood - this is institutional money making a MASSIVE bullish bet with a 9.5/10 unusual score (practically unprecedented!). With Q3 earnings coming in October and multiple catalysts on deck, smart money is clearly positioning for something big.
π₯ Company Overview
Elevance Health (ELV) is one of America's healthcare giants - think of them as the Amazon of health insurance! π₯
- Market Cap: $69.81 Billion
- What They Do: Largest Blue Cross Blue Shield provider covering 46 million Americans
- Industry: Hospital & Medical Service Plans
- Current Price: $316.74
- YTD Performance: -13.42% (underperforming but showing recovery signs)
π° The Option Flow Breakdown
π Today's Whale Trades
| Time | Symbol | Side | Buy/Sell | Type | Expiration | Premium | Strike | Volume | OI | Size | Spot Price | Option Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:13:27 | ELV | ASK | BUY | CALL | 2025-09-19 | $35M | $290 | 12K | 12K | 11,900 | $316.37 | $29.70 |
| 10:13:27 | ELV | MID | SELL | PUT | 2025-09-19 | $1M | $270 | 11K | 15K | 10,800 | $316.37 | $0.96 |
| 10:13:27 | ELV | MID | SELL | PUT | 2025-09-19 | $359K | $270 | 15K | 15K | 3,700 | $316.37 | $0.97 |
π€ What This Actually Means
Translation for us regular folks:
- Mega Call Buy: Someone loaded up $35 MILLION worth of $290 calls! π This trader expects ELV to rocket above $319.70 (breakeven) by September 19th
- Put Selling Action: Big players are also selling $270 puts - basically saying "We'll happily buy ELV at $270 if it drops" (that's 15% below current price!)
- Unusual Score: 9.5/10 π₯ This trade is 1,043x larger than average - we've NEVER seen anything like this in ELV!
π Technical Setup / Chart Check-Up
Looking at the YTD chart, here's what's cooking:
ELV Year-to-Date Performance Chart
- Current Price: $316.74
- YTD Low: ~$280 (potential support)
- YTD High: ~$450 (major resistance)
- Recent Action: Stock found a bottom around $280 and bouncing back
- Volume: Massive spike today (8M+ volume) - institutions are definitely interested! π
- Volatility: 40.2% - buckle up for a wild ride! π’
Key Levels to Watch:
- π‘οΈ Support: $300 (psychological), $280 (YTD low)
- π― Resistance: $320 (near-term), $365 (200-day MA)
- π Breakout Target: $350+ if momentum continues
πͺ Upcoming Catalysts
Mark your calendars! π
Near-Term (Next 30 Days):
- September 19: Option expiration for today's whale trades
- Healthcare Policy Updates: Medicare Advantage rate adjustments expected mid-September
Q3 2025 Catalysts:
- Mid-October: Q3 Earnings Report - THE BIG ONE! Management will discuss medical cost trends and update guidance
- Litigation Updates: Class-action lawsuit milestones - court dates pending
Long-Term Growth Drivers:
- Carelon Expansion: Digital health platform scaling with Sydney Health and Health OS
- Capital Returns: $2B already returned YTD via buybacks and dividends
π² Price Targets & Probabilities
π Bull Case (30% chance)
Target: $350-365
- Q3 earnings beat expectations
- Medical cost trends normalize
- Guidance raised for 2026
- Digital health initiatives gain traction
π Base Case (50% chance)
Target: $320-335
- Meets Q3 expectations
- Steady progress on cost management
- Maintains current guidance
- Gradual recovery continues
π° Bear Case (20% chance)
Target: $280-295
- Q3 earnings disappoint
- Medical costs remain elevated
- Regulatory headwinds intensify
- Litigation concerns escalate
π‘ Trading Ideas
π‘οΈ Conservative: "The Premium Collector"
Strategy: Sell $280 puts expiring October 18
- Premium Collected: ~$2.50 per contract
- Breakeven: $277.50
- Risk: Assignment at $280 (11.5% below current)
- Why It Works: Collect premium while waiting for a better entry
βοΈ Balanced: "Follow the Whale"
Strategy: Buy $300/$320 call spread expiring October 18
- Cost: ~$6.50 per spread
- Max Profit: $13.50 (207% return)
- Risk: Limited to premium paid
- Why It Works: Cheaper way to play the bullish thesis with defined risk
π Aggressive: "YOLO with Training Wheels"
Strategy: Buy $320 calls expiring September 19 (same as the whale!)
- Cost: ~$8.50 per contract
- Breakeven: $328.50
- Potential: Unlimited upside if ELV rockets
- Why It Works: Ride the whale's coattails but with smaller position size
β οΈ Risk Factors
Real talk - here's what could go wrong:
- Medical Cost Headwinds: Q2 showed elevated costs in ACA and Medicaid - this could persist
- Regulatory Risk: Healthcare policy changes could impact profitability
- Litigation Overhang: Pending class-action lawsuits create headline risk
- Sector Weakness: Healthcare insurers have struggled in 2025
- High Volatility: 40%+ implied vol means big swings in both directions!
π― The Bottom Line
Here's the deal: When someone drops $35 MILLION on bullish bets with only 28 days to expiration, you pay attention! π This whale clearly knows something - maybe positioning for a Q3 pre-announcement or expecting positive regulatory news.
Action Plan:
If you own ELV: Hold tight and consider selling covered calls above $330
If you're watching: Set alerts at $320 (breakout) and $300 (support)
If you're bearish: That's fine, but those put sellers at $270 suggest strong downside support
Mark your calendar for:
- September 19: Option expiration (watch for volatility)
- Mid-October: Q3 earnings (the main event!)
Remember: Options can expire worthless faster than your gym membership! Never risk more than you can afford to lose, and when institutional whales make moves this big, there's usually a reason. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're wrong, but they're never trading on a whim! π
Disclaimer: This analysis is for educational purposes only. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Always do your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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