Artem Voloskovets
⬤ A bold options trade on Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) caught attention recently when a trader sold a massive chunk of January 2026 $285 put options. The position involves shorting puts worth roughly $6.38 million, with the trader profiting if GOOG closes above $272.68 by expiration—that's the $285 strike minus the $12.32 premium collected. It's a clear bet that Alphabet will hold its ground despite ongoing market volatility.
⬤ Data shows that on November 11, over 5,000 contracts changed hands at an average premium of $12.32 per contract. The next day, open interest jumped by nearly 5,000 contracts, confirming this was a fresh position, not someone closing out. That kind of activity signals real conviction—someone believes GOOG isn't going below that breakeven anytime soon.
⬤ Selling puts at this scale is high-risk, high-reward. If Alphabet stays above $272.68, the trader keeps the entire $12.32 premium when the contracts expire in January 2026. But if GOOG drops hard below that level, losses could pile up fast—the seller would be forced to buy shares at $285 each. This trade shows confidence in Alphabet's staying power, but it's not without downside exposure if the economy or earnings disappoint.
⬤ Right now, GOOG is trading near $282, comfortably above the breakeven. The size and timing of this $6 million bet suggest institutional-level confidence that Alphabet's valuation will hold strong into 2026, even as other tech stocks face mixed sentiment and investors shift toward safer plays.
Artem Voloskovets
