Tesla, Alphabet, IBM Report Today: Why Are Options Traders Paying 86% Volatility?

Tesla, Alphabet, and IBM are all heading into earnings with elevated options-implied volatility, signaling traders expect outsized post-results moves. Tesla options imply a roughly 5.6% move by Friday and 7.4% over a week, with heavy put positioning and about $550 million in net bearish bets suggesting downside hedging. Alphabet options also price a sizable 5% move, but the flow is strongly bullish, with calls outnumbering puts nearly 5-to-1 after the stock’s huge April earnings pop. IBM is different: it already reported weak Q2 revenue of $17.2 billion, triggered a historic one-day drop, and now has implied volatility above 86% as traders brace for further guidance risk. Overall, the article highlights a cautious-to-mixed sentiment across mega-cap tech, with Tesla viewed most bearishly and Alphabet most constructively.