Traders Buy Large Volume of iShares Biotechnology ETF Put Options (NASDAQ:IBB)

iShares Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Stock investors purchased 66,590 put options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 1,205% compared to the typical daily volume of 5,103 put options.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Biotechnology ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 29.3% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,380,229 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $346,561,000 after buying an additional 538,899 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its stake in iShares Biotechnology ETF by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 743,366 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $108,234,000 after purchasing an additional 12,921 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its position in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 32.9% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 663,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $96,533,000 after purchasing an additional 164,000 shares during the last quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC now owns 593,370 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $86,395,000 after purchasing an additional 14,535 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 217,047 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,792,000 after buying an additional 42,822 shares during the last quarter. 62.45% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

iShares Biotechnology ETF Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ IBB opened at $133.04 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $144.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $141.80. iShares Biotechnology ETF has a 12-month low of $117.28 and a 12-month high of $150.57.

iShares Biotechnology ETF Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 25th were paid a $0.2005 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 25th.

About iShares Biotechnology ETF

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.