Watch next session: Monitor put volume and spot action near gamma flip
Net premium: -$3.7M bearish
P/C volume ratio: 3.45
P/C OI ratio: 3.72
Heavy put dominance with negative net premium and elevated put/call ratios indicates strong bearish flow. Unusual puts at various strikes reinforce downside positioning. Market weakness supports bearish lean.
#1HYG 2026-12-18 $45.00 Put
Intent: Tail risk hedge or speculative put purchase
Dual read: Potential cheap insurance against extreme downside
Read-through: Bearish tail risk positioning
#2HYG 2026-11-20 $82.00 Put
Intent: Bearish directional bet or hedge
Dual read: Could hedge a long bond position
Read-through: Moderate bearish bias
#3HYG 2026-06-18 $80.50 Put
Intent: Position closing or rolling
Dual read: May reflect profit-taking or expiry management
Read-through: Near-term bearish or neutral adjustment
Call additions: Minimal; put/call ratio >3
Put additions: Elevated; large OTM buys (Dec $45, Nov $82, Jun $80.50) >2,600
GEX/DEX consistency: GEX -$2.2B bearish; DEX +186M shares long – mixed
OI clusters: Put OI 511k at $79 (0.8% below spot); gamma flip at $79
Hedging evidence: Deep OTM Dec $45 put (IV 33.8%, vol/oi 18) tail hedge
Max pain context: Spot at MP; pinning likely near $79