TJX Unusual Options: $13.0M Pre-Earnings Accumulation
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🛍️ TJX Companies Options Alert: $13M Call Sweep - Earnings Play Loading!
📅 August 14, 2025 | 🔥 Unusual Activity Detected | 🎯 Strategy: Pre-Earnings Call Accumulation
🎯 The Quick Take
Holy moly! Smart money just swept $13M in TJX calls expiring BEFORE earnings! With 16,690 buy contracts vs only 2,520 sells (6.6:1 ratio!), institutions are loading up ahead of the August 20 earnings report. The stock's at $133.81 and they're targeting $125-$130 strikes - this is conviction buying! 💰
Translation for us regular folks: Big money is betting TJX beats earnings next week. When you see $13M in calls with a 6.6:1 buy/sell ratio, someone expects fireworks! 🎆
📊 Options Tape Breakdown
🐋 WHALE ALERT: Massive Pre-Earnings Positioning!
📈 Trade Metrics Dashboard
| Metric | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Total Premium | $13M+ | Institutional whale play |
| Buy/Sell Ratio | 6.6:1 | Extremely bullish signal |
| Total Volume | 19,210 contracts | Massive activity |
| Spot Price | $133.81 | Current stock price |
| Strike Focus | $125-$130 | ATM to slightly OTM |
| Days to Expiry | 2 days | August 15 (before earnings!) |
| Earnings Date | August 20 | 5 days after expiry |
🎬 The Actual Trade Tape
🕐 Time: 1:24 PM - 3:49 PM cluster
📊 Order Type: Multiple sweeps across strikes
🎯 Execution: ASK, MID, and BID prices
| Time | Side | Type | Strike | Expiry | Volume | Open Interest | Premium | Spot Price | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:29:09 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $125 | 2025-08-15 | 3,240 | 2,400 | $3.2M | $133.81 | MID |
| 15:29:09 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $130 | 2025-08-15 | 5,680 | 3,100 | $2.4M | $133.81 | ASK |
| 15:19:43 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $121 | 2025-08-15 | 1,200 | 6 | $1.6M | $133.8 | MID |
| 15:29:09 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $125 | 2025-08-15 | 1,340 | 2,400 | $1.3M | $133.81 | MID |
| 15:29:09 | 🔴 SELL | 📈 CALL | $120 | 2025-08-15 | 540 | 278 | $740K | $133.81 | BID |
| 15:35:13 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $120 | 2025-08-15 | 480 | 278 | $715K | $133.73 | ASK |
| 15:35:37 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $120 | 2025-08-15 | 480 | 278 | $715K | $133.73 | ASK |
| 15:35:33 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $120 | 2025-08-15 | 480 | 278 | $715K | $133.73 | ASK |
| 13:24:23 | 🔴 SELL | 📈 CALL | $130 | 2025-08-15 | 1,780 | 3,100 | $694K | $133.76 | MID |
| 15:29:09 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $127 | 2025-08-15 | 890 | 480 | $690K | $133.81 | ASK |
| 15:49:01 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $130 | 2025-08-15 | 1,400 | 3,100 | $672K | $133.93 | MID |
| 15:19:43 | 🟢 BUY | 📈 CALL | $130 | 2025-08-15 | 1,500 | 3,100 | $600K | $133.8 | ASK |
| 15:29:09 | 🔴 SELL | 📈 CALL | $105 | 2025-08-15 | 200 | 105 | $574K | $133.81 | BID |
⚡ Strategy Detection: PRE-EARNINGS ACCUMULATION
What This Means in Plain English: - 🎯 HEAVY ACCUMULATION: 6.6:1 buy/sell ratio = extreme bullishness - 💰 $130 STRIKE FOCUS: Most volume at $130 = expecting move higher - 📊 DEEP ITM BUYS: $121 and $125 strikes show high conviction - ⏰ EXPIRY BEFORE EARNINGS: Playing the run-up, not the report!
Translation: Smart money is betting on a pre-earnings rally. They're not gambling on the actual earnings - they're positioning for the anticipation move! 💎
🎯 What The Smart Money Knows
The Setup They're Playing:
Strike Distribution:
- $130 calls: 6,800 net buys (ATM target)
- $125 calls: 4,580 net buys (ITM safety)
- $121 calls: 1,200 buys (deep ITM)
- $120 calls: 900 net buys
Why NOW? The TJX Catalyst Story:
- 📊 Earnings Beat History
- Beat EPS 4 quarters straight
- Average surprise: 4.3%
-
Zacks ESP: +1.49% (likely beat)
-
🛍️ Back-to-School Boom
- Off-price retailers gaining share
-
51.9% market share vs traditional retail
-
🏪 Aggressive Expansion
- 1,300 new stores planned
-
26% increase from current base
-
🎯 Analyst Love
- Average PT: $144.52
- 86% Strong Buy ratings
- JPMorgan: $145, UBS: $164
💡 How Different Traders Should Play This
🎰 YOLO Traders
"I want that earnings lottery ticket!" - Play: $135 Aug 22 calls (through earnings) - Cost: ~$1.50 per contract - Risk: -100% if below $135 - Reward: +300% if hits $140 - Position Size: 1% of account MAX
🏄 Swing Traders
"I'll play the pre-earnings run" - Play: $133/$137 call spread for Aug 15 - Cost: ~$1.80 per spread - Max Gain: $2.20 if above $137 - Position Size: 2-3% of account
💎 Premium Collectors
"I'll sell puts below support" - Play: Sell $130 puts for Aug 30 - Collect: $1.50 premium - Risk: Own TJX at $128.50 - Win If: Stock stays above $130
👶 Entry Level Investors
"Just shares with earnings hedge" - Play: Buy 100 shares + $130 protective put - Entry: $133.81 stock + $1.50 put - Protected Below: $130 - Upside: Unlimited
⚠️ The Risks (Let's Keep It Real)
What Could Go Wrong: - 📉 Earnings Miss: Guidance could disappoint - 💸 Tariff Impact: Margins pressured by trade wars - 🌍 Currency Headwinds: 3% EPS drag from FX - 📊 High Valuation: P/E of 31 is pricey for retail - ⏰ Friday Expiry: These calls expire in 2 days!
🎯 The Bottom Line
Real talk: This $13M call sweep with a 6.6:1 buy/sell ratio is screaming "earnings beat incoming": 1. Institutions are loading calls BEFORE earnings (smart positioning) 2. Deep ITM buys at $121 and $125 show conviction 3. TJX has beaten 4 quarters straight - why stop now? 4. Off-price retail is the winning sector in this economy
The whales are playing the pre-earnings rally, not the binary event risk!
📋 Your Action Checklist
✅ If Following: Consider Aug 22 calls to play through earnings
✅ Set Alerts: $135 (resistance), $130 (support), $140 (breakout)
✅ Mark Calendar: August 15 (option expiry), August 20 (EARNINGS!)
✅ Watch For: Pre-earnings momentum, analyst upgrades
✅ Risk Management: Earnings are binary - size accordingly!
📊 Quick Reference Card
| Metric | Value | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Ticker | TJX | TJX Companies |
| Strategy | Pre-Earnings Accumulation | Run-up play |
| Premium | $13M+ | Whale positioning |
| Buy/Sell Ratio | 6.6:1 | Extreme bullishness |
| Contracts | 19,210 | Heavy volume |
| Strike Focus | $125-$130 | ATM positioning |
| Spot Price | $133.81 | Current level |
| Expiration | 2025-08-15 | 2 days! |
| Earnings | 2025-08-20 | 5 days later |
| Execution | Mixed | Professional flow |
| Risk Level | 🔥🔥🔥 (3/5) | Earnings volatility |
🏷️ Tags for This Trade
Time Horizon: #Weekly (2 days)
Strategy Type: #PreEarnings #DirectionalCall
Risk Level: #ModerateRisk
Trader Types: #SwingTrade #EarningsPlay
⚠️ Disclaimer: $13M in calls with a 6.6:1 buy ratio shows serious conviction in TJX's earnings. These options expire BEFORE earnings, suggesting a play on anticipation rather than results. Earnings are binary events - anything can happen! Size accordingly! This is education, not financial advice! 🎲