Investors Purchase High Volume of iShares Biotechnology ETF Put Options (NASDAQ:IBB)

iShares Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB) saw unusually large options trading activity on Wednesday. Investors purchased 55,448 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of 817% compared to the average daily volume of 6,046 put options.

Institutional Trading of iShares Biotechnology ETF

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IBB. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF during the fourth quarter valued at about $563,000. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF during the fourth quarter valued at about $512,000. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 228.9% during the fourth quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,156 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $975,000 after acquiring an additional 4,980 shares during the last quarter. Apexium Financial LP raised its stake in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 2,223 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 13.8% during the fourth quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 6,571 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $893,000 after acquiring an additional 798 shares during the last quarter. 62.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

iShares Biotechnology ETF Stock Performance

NASDAQ IBB opened at $145.56 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $144.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $138.23. iShares Biotechnology ETF has a 12-month low of $111.83 and a 12-month high of $150.17.

iShares Biotechnology ETF Company Profile

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (the Index). The Index contains securities of NASDAQ listed companies that are classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as either biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, which also meet other eligibility criteria determined by NASDAQ.