Tradier Blog

Spotting Unusual Options Activity Now on Tradier Pro

Written by Tradier Inc. | Jul 24, 2025 9:54:20 PM

 

What Is Unusual Options Activity (UOA)?
Unusual options activity (UOA) occurs when a specific options contract experiences a sudden surge in trading volume beyond its normal range. This might be tied to insider knowledge, earnings speculation, merger rumors, or institutional hedging. Tradier now offers this feature in Tradier Pro, with rollout to Web and Mobile platforms coming soon.

Why Unusual Flow Matters to Options Traders
Unlike technical indicators that analyze historical patterns, UOA highlights current shifts in options market activity such as:

  • Large block trades or sweeps across strike prices
  • Far-out-of-the-money options being picked up aggressively
  • Short-dated contracts with unusual volume

These patterns can indicate that traders are positioning around potential events or shifts in market sentiment.

How Tradier Helps You Track UOA  Efficiently
Tradier makes spotting UOA faster and more intuitive:

  • Top Options Activity Lists
    View the top 200 stocks by option volume, unusual trades, and large trades for any selected stock.
  • Visual Tools for IV and Volume
    Spot volume and implied volatility spikes directly on charts, with delta insights available in the What-If tool.
  • Streamlined Flow Monitoring
    Quickly surface high-impact trades by sorting key UOA activity lists.

Separating Signal from Noise
Just because a contract lights up doesn’t mean it’s a slam dunk. Here’s how to tell the difference:

  • Check the context: Earnings date, news cycle, or technical breakout nearby?
  • Direction matters: Are traders piling into calls or puts? Deep ITM or speculative OTM?
  • Is it part of a spread? Many large trades are hedges not naked bets.

With Tradier, you can track these flows over time, helping you build context instead of chasing hype.

Make UOA Part of Your Edge
Unusual options flow alone isn’t a certainty but combined with smart risk management and context, it can help transform your trading.

With Tradier, you don’t just follow the market you get ahead of it.

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