Bullish Players Sink their Teeth into Krispy Kreme Calls

Today’s tickers: KKD, JPM, NYT & AEO KKD  - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. –  Bulls are bingeing on Krispy Kreme call options today after the firm sweetened its outlook for 2011 operating income to a range of $17 million to $20 million, up from previous estimates of $13 million to $17 million. The maker of the popular Original Glazed doughnut said it earned $2.4 million in the third quarter, or $0.03 a share, after the closing bell on Wednesday. Analysts, on average, were expecting KKD to post a third-quarter loss of $0.01 a share. Shares in Krispy Kreme jumped 19.8% following earnings to hit an intraday- and new 52-week high of $7.38 today. The better-than-expected earnings report and rosier outlook for next year’s performance inspired strong demand for call options on the doughnut maker. More than 5,480 options, nearly all of them calls, changed hands on Krispy Kreme by 12:55 pm in New York, versus overall previously existing open interest of 6,271 contracts. Investors purchased more than 1,340 calls at the December $7.5 strike for an average premium of $0.22 a-pop. Call buyers make money if Krispy Kreme’s shares rally another 4.6% over today’s high of $7.38 to surpass the average breakeven point at $7.72 by December expiration. Bullish sentiment spread to the January 2011 $7.5 strike where another 1,040 call options were picked up at an average premium of $0.34 apiece. Investors holding these contracts are poised to profit should shares in KKD surge 6.3% to trade above $7.84 ahead of expiration day in January. Krispy Kreme’s overall reading of options implied volatility is lower by 9.2% to stand at 52.47% as of 1:00 pm in New York. JPM  - JPMorgan Chase & Co. –  Shares of the financial services firm are on the mend, and one bullish options strategist…