Wells Fargo Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $60 Puts at the Bid: 2000 vs 659 OI; Earnings 4/11 Before Open 

Wells Fargo Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $60 Puts at the Bid: 2000 @ $3.35 vs 659 OI; Earnings 4/11 Before Open Ref=$80.115

Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) 株価情報

WELLS FARGO & CO

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US

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投資家たちが市場の大きな荒れ模様により特筆される波乱のある取引週を終えようとしている中、米国株先物相場は木曜日の夜に下落した。

米国株先物が下落、トランプの関税ショックで市場が動揺し、日経平均株価は5％以上急落

Wells Fargo & Co

Where Food Comes From, Inc. - Common Stock

Where Food Comes From Inc

1867 WESTN FINL CORP by 1867 Western Financial Corp

1867 Western Financial Corp

WELLS FARGO & CO D/E PFD by Wells Fargo & Co.

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series AA

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series CC

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series DD

Wells Fargo & Company 7.50% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Class A Preferred Stock, Series L

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series Y

Wells Fargo & Company Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series Z

Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 10.77% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 26.04%. Currently, Wells Fargo has a market capitalization of $244.55 billion. 
Buying $1000 In WFC: If an investor had bought $1000 of WFC stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,998.03 today based on a price of $75.15 for WFC at the time of writing.
<h3>Wells Fargo's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747436412_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Wells Fargo 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Wells Fargo's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) short percent of float has risen 17.14% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 39.82 million shares sold short, which is 1.23% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.05 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Wells Fargo Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747317626_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Wells Fargo has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Wells Fargo's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Wells Fargo's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 1.14%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

What's Driving the Market Sentiment Around Wells Fargo?

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>COIN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
<td>$51.5K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>37.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SOFI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$15.00</td>
<td>$33.4K</td>
<td>25.7K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BULL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$13.50</td>
<td>$112.8K</td>
<td>22.9K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XYZ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/23/25</td>
<td>$56.00</td>
<td>$26.0K</td>
<td>384</td>
<td>564</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$53.2K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>506</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JPM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$38.8K</td>
<td>5.5K</td>
<td>233</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$37.6K</td>
<td>3.4K</td>
<td>210</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HOOD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/13/25</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$261.0K</td>
<td>522</td>
<td>204</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$300.8K</td>
<td>10.8K</td>
<td>204</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AFL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$29.2K</td>
<td>163</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding COIN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $260.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 11 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $51.5K, with a price of $515.0 per contract. There were 2244 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 37997 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SOFI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 129 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $15.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.4K, with a price of $167.0 per contract. There were 25775 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2883 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BULL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BULL#NASDAQ">BULL</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 1736 contract(s) at a $13.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 57 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $112.8K, with a price of $65.0 per contract. There were 22927 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2423 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For XYZ (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 10 day(s) on May 23, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $56.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.0K, with a price of $260.0 per contract. There were 384 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 564 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UPST (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPST#NASDAQ">UPST</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 248 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $90.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $53.2K, with a price of $532.0 per contract. There were 1157 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 506 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding JPM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 248 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 26 contract(s) at a $280.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.8K, with a price of $1495.0 per contract. There were 5598 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 233 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For WAL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 3 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 78 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.6K, with a price of $478.0 per contract. There were 3491 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 210 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HOOD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 31 day(s) on June 13, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $50.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $261.0K, with a price of $1305.0 per contract. There were 522 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 204 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding WFC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), we observe a call option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 248 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $65.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $300.8K, with a price of $1505.0 per contract. There were 10855 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 204 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AFL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 248 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 43 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.2K, with a price of $680.0 per contract. There were 163 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 43 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

BULL

COIN

HOOD

SOFI

UPST

10 Financials Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in WFC usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 9 extraordinary options activities for Wells Fargo. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 44% leaning bullish and 44% bearish. Among these notable options, 2 are puts, totaling $66,049, and 7 are calls, amounting to $390,120.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $50.0 to $77.0 for Wells Fargo during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Wells Fargo options trades today is 3553.57 with a total volume of 2,315.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Wells Fargo's big money trades within a strike price range of $50.0 to $77.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Wells Fargo Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747148465_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$10.45</td>
<td>$10.35</td>
<td>$10.45</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$99.2K</td>
<td>151</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/30/25</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>$0.79</td>
<td>$0.8</td>
<td>$77.00</td>
<td>$79.1K</td>
<td>20.1K</td>
<td align="right">993</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$2.34</td>
<td>$2.08</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
<td>$64.5K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td align="right">518</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$26.35</td>
<td>$25.05</td>
<td>$25.78</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$51.5K</td>
<td>137</td>
<td align="right">23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$10.55</td>
<td>$10.4</td>
<td>$10.55</td>
<td>$72.50</td>
<td>$43.2K</td>
<td>726</td>
<td align="right">70</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wells Fargo</h3>
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Wells Fargo, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Wells Fargo</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,740,966, the price of WFC is up by 1.26%, reaching $75.82.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 62 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Wells Fargo</h3>
In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $78.25.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Piper Sandler keeps a Overweight rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $75. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Raymond James continues to hold a Strong Buy rating for Wells Fargo, targeting a price of $78. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Barclays continues to hold a Overweight rating for Wells Fargo, targeting a price of $87. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities persists with their Buy rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $73. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Wells Fargo with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Wells Fargo's Options: A Look at What the Big Money is Thinking

WIIM

ALLY

ARES

FITB

HBAN

NTRS

SCHW

SPGI

TROW

Shares of banks and financial services stocks are higher after the US and China agreed to a temporary reduction in most tariffs on each other's goods. A reduction in tariffs could alleviate macro uncertainty in the lending and deal environment.

Analyst Ratings

Live On CNBC, Stephanie Link Announces Adds To Wells Fargo Position

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45164558/us-adds-177000-jobs-in-april-topping-forecasts-as-economy-navigates-tariff-impact">April U.S. employment report </a>brought a welcome economic balancing act. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 177,000, beating comfortably the 130,000 forecast by economists and almost doubling the 90,000 predicted by Kalshi betting markets. 
Average hourly earnings, however, slowed to 0.2% month-over-month from 0.3% in March, barely missing consensus forecasts.
The outcome? A tight labor market without overheating provides the Federal Reserve and markets a bit more room to breathe. For the financial sector in particular, an unusually favorable balance of stability and opportunity has emerged from the current conditions.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/05/45328557/targets-self-checkout-flip-flop-isnt-helping-after-a-66-value-crash-are-retail-etfs-ringing-up-t">Target&#8217;s Self-Checkout Flip-Flop Isn&#8217;t Helping After A 66% Value Crash: Are Retail ETFs Ringing Up The Real Risk?</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">ETF Watch: Who Wins?</h1>
With job growth still being maintained but wage pressures dissipating, a number of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">financial sector ETFs</a> may ride the macro tailwinds:
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>)
The heavyweight of financial ETFs, XLF follows blue-chip stocks such as JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and Goldman Sachs Group Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>). Sectoral employment growth in financial activities (continued growth in April) indicates underlying strength, and subdued wage growth increases profitability and cools inflation risk, a net benefit to big banks with wide exposure.
SPDR S&amp;P Bank ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBE#NYSE">KBE</a>) Thie ETF provides equal-weighted exposure to large as well as regional banks. With the slower wage growth, consumer spending might be hit, forcing prices down (read: inflation). The Fed might consider continuing the pause, or even turn back on, rate increases. Regional banks could feel the boost of a rebound in loan demand and reduced funding costs.
Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBWD#NASDAQ">KBWD</a>) This ETF has a tilt toward high-yielding financials such as REITs and business development companies. Lower inflation expectations render its dividend-rich holdings more appealing in real terms, while decelerating wage inflation contributes to supporting payout sustainability.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Why This Labor Market Arrangement Works For Financials</h1>
The market response isn&#8217;t all about employment numbers, it&#8217;s about the &#8220;goldilocks&#8221; combination they generate.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Reduced Inflation Expectations: Slower wage growth typically means softer consumer spending, which then lowers inflationary pressure. That&#8217;s a good thing for banks, which rely on stable inflation to inform lending decisions and determine interest rate margins.</li>
<li>More Favorable Rate Outlook: If the Fed perceives wages moderating, it might delay further rate increases, or even begin lowering them. For banks, declining interest rates can fuel a flood of new consumer debt, mortgage requests and corporate loans — the stuff of bank profits.</li>
<li>Firming Corporate Margins: Slower wage growth equals lower input costs. That&#8217;s a good thing for banks, and any financial institution with exposure to corporate bonds or equity markets, too. Higher margins lower credit risk and increase investment returns.</li>
<li>Lower Labor Costs: Yes, even the financial industry experiences wage pressure. With labor expenses stabilizing, internal margins rise, providing CFOs and asset managers with more room to breathe. </li>
</ul>
The Macro Signal: Stability Without Stagnation
April&#8217;s figures indicate a labor market that&#8217;s strong in all the right areas. Health care, transportation, and finance created jobs, while government payrolls declined as it restructures. The unemployment rate remained at 4.2%, indicating labor demand remains robust, even as the Fed&#8217;s inflation battle slows the wage engine.
For investors, it is time to re-examine where the smart money goes next. With an economy that continues to grow but inflation retrenches, financial ETFs might be quietly positioning for outperformance — particularly those well-situated to profit from increasing credit activity, more stable margins, and leaner labor expenses.
The market did not roar following the jobs report — but it did not need to. For financials, a subtle beat might reverberate louder than any rally.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/05/45297474/imtm-etf-tanks-then-soars-why-global-momentum-is-making-a-comeback">IMTM ETF Tanks, Then Soars: Why Global Momentum Is Making A Comeback</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: NicoElNino via Shutterstock.com

Sector ETFs

ETFs

KBWD

Jobs Up, Wages Down: Financial ETFs May Have Just Found Their Sweet Spot

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with WFC, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 12 uncommon options trades for Wells Fargo.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 33% bullish and 66%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $271,888, and 7 are calls, for a total amount of $723,362.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $40.0 to $73.0 for Wells Fargo over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Wells Fargo's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Wells Fargo's significant trades, within a strike price range of $40.0 to $73.0, over the past month.
<h3>Wells Fargo Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746817252_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/23/25</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$12.45</td>
<td>$12.45</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$498.0K</td>
<td>351</td>
<td>700</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$0.98</td>
<td>$0.96</td>
<td>$0.96</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$132.0K</td>
<td>3.9K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/23/25</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$12.45</td>
<td>$12.45</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$51.0K</td>
<td>351</td>
<td>741</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$19.3</td>
<td>$18.8</td>
<td>$19.3</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$46.3K</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/23/25</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$12.45</td>
<td>$12.45</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$44.8K</td>
<td>351</td>
<td>36</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wells Fargo</h3>
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Wells Fargo, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Wells Fargo</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 6,700,135, the price of WFC is down by -0.56%, reaching $72.5.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 66 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Wells Fargo</h3>
In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $78.25.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler persists with their Overweight rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $75. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities persists with their Buy rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $73. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Raymond James persists with their Strong Buy rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $78. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays persists with their Overweight rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $87. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Wells Fargo with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Wells Fargo Unusual Options Activity For May 09

Move over, dividends &#8211; corporate America is in love with itself again. According to JPMorgan strategist Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, U.S. corporate share buybacks surged in April, marking the strongest monthly pace in years and reinforcing their role as a stabilizing force <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/volatility">in volatile markets</a>.
May has kicked off with a fresh surge of stock buyback announcements, and it's not just a sprinkle &#8211; it's a full-blown cash confetti storm. Repurchase plans announced since April 1 now add up to $262 billion, suggesting companies are favoring ploughing extra cash into buybacks over, say, dividend payments.
Panigirtzoglou notes that this contrarian pattern &#8211; where buybacks ramp up following equity market corrections &#8211; was similarly evident during the Silicon Valley Bank crisis two years ago (the SVB collapsed in March 2023) and the early stages of the Ukraine war.
He notes that corporate repurchases complemented a rebound in equity-focused hedge fund positioning, which had previously de-risked in February and March, further amplifying April&#8217;s V-shaped equity recovery.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45284152/coin-vs-mara-which-crypto-stock-chart-has-the-bullish-edge-before-q1-earnings-drop">COIN Vs. MARA: Which Crypto Stock Chart Has The Bullish Edge Before Q1 Earnings Drop?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple, Alphabet, Wells Fargo Leading Corporate Buybacks</h2>
Leading the parade is Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), flexing its financial muscles with a jaw-dropping $100 billion buyback—because, apparently, having a $2.7 trillion market cap wasn't enough self-confidence. This is no fluke; it's an "additional" buyback, which means Apple's just topping off a long-standing habit of hoarding its own stock like it&#8217;s going out of style.
Hot on its heels is Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) with a $70 billion share repurchase. Google may have axed cookies, but it's still baking up returns for shareholders in bulk.
Not to be outdone, Wells Fargo &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) is pouring $40 billion into its own stock. After years of reputational rehab, the bank seems ready to bet on itself &#8211; in a very big way.
And it&#8217;s not just the mega-caps feeling themselves. KLA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLAC#NASDAQ">KLAC</a>) dropped a $5 billion mic, Dick's Sporting Goods Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKS#NYSE">DKS</a>) entered the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44246625/dicks-sporting-beats-q4-earnings-stock-falls-amid-soft-outlook">game with $3 billion</a>, and Shell PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHEL#NYSE">SHEL</a>) is scooping up $3.5 billion of its shares &#8211; proving oil profits aren't just for gas stations and exec bonuses.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tech&#8217;s Buyback Binge</h2>
Tech is clearly in a buyback binge: Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/buybacks/25/04/44674899/broadcom-stock-jumps-on-10-billion-buyback-authorization">announced $10 billion</a> in early April, and Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>) followed suit with its own <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/buybacks/25/03/44218819/applied-materials-hikes-dividend-for-8th-year-greenlights-10-billion-buyback-to-reward-investors">$10 billion plan</a>. 
Meanwhile, Align Technology Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALGN#NASDAQ">ALGN</a>) flashed its smile with a fresh $1 billion authorization, maybe to offset Invisalign's market volatility.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Stocks &#8211; Not Far Behind</h2>
There's also action in the consumer and industrial space. Graphic Packaging Holding Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPK#NYSE">GPK</a>), Ingersoll Rand Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IR#NYSE">IR</a>), and Cirrus Logic Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRUS#NASDAQ">CRUS</a>) all made $500 million–$1.5 billion commitments. 
Even MGM Resorts International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MGM#NYSE">MGM</a>) got in on the game with a $2 billion plan &#8211; perhaps betting on itself while its visitors bet on the slots.
The pattern is clear: buybacks are back with a vengeance. Whether it&#8217;s to boost EPS, signal confidence, or fend off activist investors, companies are scooping up shares at a pace that has investors sitting up &#8211; and short sellers sweating.
Bottom line? When the biggest names in business are buying their own stock, it might be time for investors to take notice—before the buyback wave pushes prices even higher.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45283751/bill-gates-called-steve-jobs-genius-in-a-way-you-cant-explain-and-said-i-dont-know-somebody-whos-just-like-him-while-reflecting-on-their-decades-long-collaboration-and-rivalry">Bill Gates Called Steve Jobs A &#8216;Genius In A Way You Can&#8217;t Explain,&#8217; Says &#8216;I Don&#8217;t Know Anybody Who&#8217;s Just Like Him&#8217; While Reflecting on Their Decades-Long Collaboration and Rivalry</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Buybacks

Tech

AAPL

ALGN

AMAT

AVGO

CRUS

GOOG

GOOGL

KLAC

SHEL

Apple, Alphabet Lead $262B Buyback Binge On Wall Street

FCNCA

Shares of banking companies are trading higher amid overall market strength following April's jobs data and reports that China's Commerce Ministry is assessing possible trade talks with the US.

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in WFC usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 27 extraordinary options activities for Wells Fargo. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 48% leaning bullish and 37% bearish. Among these notable options, 9 are puts, totaling $935,005, and 18 are calls, amounting to $1,226,248.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $57.5 to $80.0 for Wells Fargo over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Wells Fargo's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Wells Fargo's whale activity within a strike price range from $57.5 to $80.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Wells Fargo 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746208995_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$15.25</td>
<td>$15.15</td>
<td>$15.25</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$455.9K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td>305</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$2.88</td>
<td>$2.85</td>
<td>$2.87</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$287.0K</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$1.89</td>
<td>$1.86</td>
<td>$1.88</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
<td>$282.0K</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$147.7K</td>
<td>4.1K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$19.55</td>
<td>$19.45</td>
<td>$19.55</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$142.7K</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>75</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wells Fargo</h3>
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Wells Fargo, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Where Is Wells Fargo Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 10,997,784, the WFC's price is up by 3.02%, now at $73.98. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 70 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Wells Fargo</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $80.8.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $84. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Overweight rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $80. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler persists with their Overweight rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a target price of $75. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $87. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Raymond James continues to hold a Strong Buy rating for Wells Fargo, targeting a price of $78. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Wells Fargo, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Wells Fargo's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Wells Fargo. Our analysis of options history for Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) revealed 20 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 60% of traders were bullish, while 35% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 2 were puts, with a value of $72,724, and 18 were calls, valued at $1,365,081.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $62.5 and $75.0 for Wells Fargo, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Wells Fargo's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Wells Fargo's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $62.5 to $75.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Wells Fargo Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746111652_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$14.2</td>
<td>$14.2</td>
<td>$14.2</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$284.0K</td>
<td>3.9K</td>
<td align="right">205</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/02/25</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$1.76</td>
<td>$2.16</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$127.4K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">680</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.6</td>
<td>$10.5</td>
<td>$10.6</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$124.0K</td>
<td>8.1K</td>
<td align="right">219</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$8.4</td>
<td>$8.3</td>
<td>$8.3</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$118.6K</td>
<td>7.4K</td>
<td align="right">102</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$8.25</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$8.25</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$107.2K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td align="right">130</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wells Fargo</h3>
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Wells Fargo, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Wells Fargo</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 4,436,939, the price of WFC is up by 1.76%, reaching $72.26.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 71 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Wells Fargo</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $81.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $87. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Truist Securities continues to hold a Buy rating for Wells Fargo, targeting a price of $84. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B of A Securities keeps a Buy rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $83. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $73. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Raymond James continues to hold a Strong Buy rating for Wells Fargo, targeting a price of $78. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Wells Fargo options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Wells Fargo Unusual Options Activity For May 01

Wells Fargo &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) shares are trading higher by 1.48% to $70.42 during Tuesday&#8217;s session after the company unveiled a new $40 billion stock repurchase program, set to commence after the current <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/06/39506407/6-biggest-us-banks-ramp-up-buybacks-undeterred-by-stress-tests">buyback</a> concludes.
What To Know: The board's approval likely signals continued confidence in the bank's capital strength and financial stability. CEO Charlie Scharf emphasized that the company's balance sheet remains robust, with average common shares outstanding reduced by 22% since 2019.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45070520/wells-fargo-company-announces-common-stock-dividend-and-new-40-billion-common-stock-repurchase-pro">$40 billion authorization</a> represents one of the largest buyback programs among major U.S. banks, suggesting the firm sees its stock as undervalued and is prioritizing shareholder value creation. Such repurchase initiatives typically reduce share count, boosting earnings per share and investor appeal.
Coupled with consistent dividends, these actions may encourage bullish sentiment and upward price movement in WFC stock. Analysts and investors may also interpret the announcement as a vote of confidence in Wells Fargo's long-term earnings growth and capital position amid ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency across its banking segments.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45071047/whats-going-on-with-snap-stock-tuesday">What&#8217;s Going On With Snap Stock Tuesday?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy WFC Stock</h2>
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Wells Fargo &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy &#8220;fractional shares,&#8221; which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share.
In the case of Wells Fargo, which is trading at $70.09 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 1.43 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to &#8220;go short&#8221; a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, WFC has a 52-week high of $81.50 and a 52-week low of $50.15.

Wells Fargo (WFC) Shares Gain On $40B Buyback Plan: What's Going On?

Wells Fargo shares are trading higher after the company's board authorized a $40 billion stock repurchase program.

Wells Fargo Board Authorizes $40B Stock Repurchase Program

Wells Fargo &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) shares got a slight bump in early trading Monday. The company announced the termination of a 2018 consent order from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45036401/wells-fargo-confirms-termination-of-2018-cfpb-compliance-consent-order">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)</a>.
What Happened: Wells Fargo on Monday confirmed that the CFPB&#8217;s consent order related to the company&#8217;s risk management program has been terminated, representing the twelfth consent order closed by Wells Fargo regulators since 2019. 
&#8220;Today&#8217;s termination, along with the recent closure of other consent orders, demonstrates that we have completed much of our common risk and control infrastructure work, including work that is required by other orders,&#8221; said Charlie Scharf, CEO of Wells Fargo.
&#8220;I am proud of the work done by our teams and remain confident that we will complete the work needed to close our other open consent orders. Wells Fargo is a different and stronger company today as we focus on creating long-term value for our customers, clients, communities and shareholders.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/04/45035728/5-stocks-in-the-spotlight-last-week-wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-weigh-in">5 Stocks In The Spotlight Last Week: Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Weigh In</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy WFC Stock</h3>
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Wells Fargo &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy &#8220;fractional shares,&#8221; which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share.
In the case of Wells Fargo, which is trading at $69.73 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 1.43 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to &#8220;go short&#8221; a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
WFC Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/WFC">Wells Fargo shares</a> were up 0.32% at $69.95 at the time of publication Monday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Bumble Dee/Shutterstock.

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What's Going On With Wells Fargo Stock Today?

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Shares of banking companies are trading higher amid overall market strength after President Trump said he will not be firing Fed Chair Powell. Additionally, Trump indicated the final tariff rate would be lower than the current, which may lead to greater business and lending activity for financial institutions.

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Shares of financial companies are trading higher amid Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's remarks about trade de-escalation with China, which may help restore investor confidence towards the sector.

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Wells Fargo. Our analysis of options history for Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) revealed 10 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 60% of traders were bullish, while 40% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 8 were puts, with a value of $1,019,272, and 2 were calls, valued at $62,934.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $65.0 to $75.0 for Wells Fargo over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Wells Fargo's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Wells Fargo's significant trades, within a strike price range of $65.0 to $75.0, over the past month.
<h3>Wells Fargo Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745247674_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$6.95</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$172.1K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$7.4</td>
<td>$7.3</td>
<td>$7.4</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$148.0K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$7.35</td>
<td>$7.25</td>
<td>$7.35</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$146.8K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td>823</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$7.25</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$135.0K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td>455</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$6.95</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$6.75</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$110.7K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td>620</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wells Fargo</h3>
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States, with approximately $1.9 trillion in balance sheet assets. The company has four primary segments: consumer banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. It is almost entirely focused on the US
In light of the recent options history for Wells Fargo, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Wells Fargo</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,014,389, the price of WFC is down by -0.54%, reaching $64.36.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 81 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Wells Fargo</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $77.3.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler upgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $77. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Citigroup keeps a Neutral rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $78. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Raymond James keeps a Strong Buy rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $78. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Overweight rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $80. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from JP Morgan keeps a Neutral rating on Wells Fargo with a target price of $73. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Wells Fargo with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Wells Fargo Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment

In early 2009, when the financial crisis was still wreaking havoc, former Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) and former Chairman of Daily Journal Corporation, Charlie Munger, made an unusual choice that differentiated him from most investors.
While panic spread across global markets and stocks were being sold unthinkingly, Munger silently funnelled 71% of the Daily Journal Corporation's cash into suffering financial institutions, particularly Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>).
This turned out to be a masterstroke. By 2013, the value of those investments had increased three-fold, significantly boosting the company's worth.
Using Mental Models, Not Market Predictions: Munger didn't depend on forecasts or gut instinct, Chris Franco <a href="https://cmqinvesting.substack.com/p/how-charlie-munger-made-millions-after-2008-crash?r=4gn514&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;triedRedirect=true">noted</a> in the CMQ Investing newsletter. Instead, he pursued a structured way of thinking that he called a &#8220;latticework of mental models.&#8221; 
Three main models grounded his investment choices: the Circle of Competence (only invest in businesses you understand in-depth), the Margin of Safety (buy at a price so low that even if things go sideways, there is still upside), and Opportunity Cost (allocate capital only when the potential return is better than any other option available).
These models created a strong, rational foundation for action when others were unsure of how to negotiate with uncertainty.
Understanding the Psychology of a Market Collapse: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44450390/charlie-mungers-investment-wisdom-if-people-werent-so-often-wrong-we-wouldnt-be-so-rich">Munger's success </a>was rooted in his thorough understanding of human psychology. He consciously made sure not to fall into mental traps like Social Proof (following the crowd), Loss Aversion (being afraid of losses more than valuing gains), and Availability Bias (giving undue importance to recent traumatic events like the 2008 collapse).
He was not influenced by falling prices or sensational headlines. Instead, he gauged intrinsic value and based his thinking on facts, not fear.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855242/charlie-munger-once-highlighted-how-warren-buffetts-lifelong-learning-made-berkshire-hathaways-success-possible-and-the-crucial-lesson-you-can-take-from-it">Charlie Munger Once Said Warren Buffett Is A &#8216;Learning Machine&#8217; And That&#8217;s What Lies Beneath Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s Success From One Decade To Another</a>
Why Munger's Strategy Still Matters Munger's strategy reminds us of age-old lessons: think for yourself, invest only when you understand the business, and leverage the fear-driven mispricing when it occurs. Munger's 2009 trade remains an extraordinary example of how <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44681817/charlie-munger-once-said-the-market-wont-do-exactly-what-you-want-when-you-want-as-tariff-jitters-and-wild-swings-remind-investors-why-long-term-thinking-matters">long-term planning and emotional regulation </a>can generate incredible outcomes.
Berkshire's Cash Strategy Echoes Munger's Playbook Warren Buffett's record cash pile at Berkshire Hathaway is an example of Charlie Munger's 2009 approach in action—wait for fear to drive value. Armando Gonzalez, founder of AI-powered research platform Bigdata.com <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/03/15/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-stock-market-correction-cash-pile-acquisitions/">told</a> Fortune that Buffett's moves demonstrate clear foresight: selling $134 billion in equities and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42153356/is-warren-buffett-preparing-for-a-market-downturn-with-berkshire-hathaways-325b-cash-pile-analyst-says-internet-bubble-and-2008-crash-may-have-lessons">building a $334.2 billion cash pile </a>in expectation of market turmoil.
Like Munger, Buffett is deploying patience as a strategic edge that will give him an advantage over others. Gonzalez observed that Buffett is not chasing rebounds or attempting to time the bottom—he's waiting for real bargains to appear, where the risk-reward balance tips conclusively in his favor.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44779752/charlie-munger-says-investors-who-cant-handle-market-volatility-deserve-the-mediocre-result">Charlie Munger Says Investors Who Can&#8217;t Handle Market Volatility &#8216;Deserve the Mediocre Result&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Kent Sievers on Shutterstock.com

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