Options trading activity can provide insights into market expectations for stock price movements after earnings reports, as traders’ positions reflect their bets on volatility and direction. For Palantir Technologies (PLTR), Uber Technologies (UBER), and Fortinet (FTNT), options data offers clues about potential post-earnings moves in 2025, though specific predictions depend on the timing of their earnings releases and market sentiment. Below, I analyze how options trading might signal post-earnings price action for these stocks, incorporating real-time financial data and relevant market context.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
Current Stock Price: $180.504 (see the finance card above for details).
Options Trading Insights:
- Implied Volatility (IV): Earlier in 2025, options activity for PLTR suggested a market expectation of a 12.5% post-earnings move (approximately $10.36 at the time), with a historical median move of 17.8% over the past eight quarters. This indicates that traders anticipate significant volatility following PLTR’s earnings, driven by its strong performance in the AI sector.
- Call/Put Ratio: Pre-earnings options volume showed a bullish tilt with a call-to-put ratio of 7:6, suggesting more traders were betting on upside potential. Posts on X also highlighted bullish sentiment, with analysts like Piper Sandler initiating coverage with an overweight rating and a $170 price target, citing PLTR’s AI-driven growth.
- Recent Earnings Performance: PLTR’s Q2 2025 earnings reported on August 4 showed a 48% year-over-year revenue increase to $1 billion, surpassing estimates, with U.S. commercial revenue up 93%. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $4.142–$4.150 billion. This strong performance led to a 3–6% stock price surge in after-hours trading, reflecting positive market reactions.
- Clues for Post-Earnings Moves: The high implied volatility and bullish call/put ratio suggest traders expect PLTR to continue its upward momentum post-earnings, especially given its AI leadership and government contracts (e.g., a $10 billion U.S. Army deal). However, PLTR’s lofty valuation (276 times forward earnings) could amplify downside risk if earnings disappoint or guidance is conservative. Traders might focus on call options for upside potential or straddles to capture volatility in either direction.
Uber Technologies (UBER)
Current Stock Price: $91.263 (see the finance card above for details).
Options Trading Insights:
- Implied Volatility: Specific options data for UBER’s Q2 2025 earnings (reported August 6) isn’t provided in the sources, but general market sentiment suggests moderate volatility expectations. UBER’s stock has been volatile, with a 44% year-to-date gain but a recent sell-off due to concerns about autonomous driving competition from Waymo and Tesla.
- Call/Put Ratio: While exact ratios for UBER’s recent earnings aren’t available, the stock’s recovery potential is supported by analysts who see its current price-to-earnings ratio of 33 and price-to-sales ratio of 3.4 as undervalued compared to PLTR’s stretched multiples. This suggests options traders might lean toward calls, anticipating a rebound.
- Recent Earnings Performance: UBER’s Q3 2024 earnings showed 22% revenue growth to $11.1 billion and a 46% increase in non-GAAP net income, though it missed gross booking estimates. Strong mobility segment growth (29%) and Uber One membership growth (70%) bolstered optimism, with analysts like Piper Sandler projecting $5 billion in ad revenue by 2027.
- Clues for Post-Earnings Moves: Options traders likely anticipate moderate upside potential for UBER, given its stable fundamentals and leadership in ride-sharing (76% U.S. market share). However, concerns about autonomous vehicle competition could prompt put buying or hedging strategies like protective puts. A strong earnings beat or positive guidance on advertising and mobility could drive a 5–10% upward move, while a miss might lead to a pullback toward the $85–$90 range, as seen in recent support levels.
Fortinet (FTNT)
Current Stock Price: $73.664 (see the finance card above for details).
Options Trading Insights:
- Implied Volatility: No specific options data for FTNT’s recent earnings is provided, but the stock’s recent 23.7% drop from $96.58 on August 6 to $73.664 on August 7 suggests heightened volatility post-earnings, likely due to a disappointing report or guidance. The finance card shows a daily low of $70.171, indicating significant selling pressure.
- Call/Put Ratio: Given the sharp decline, options activity likely shifted toward puts post-earnings, reflecting bearish sentiment. However, pre-earnings momentum was positive, with analysts raising price targets due to FTNT’s cybersecurity leadership.
- Recent Earnings Performance: FTNT’s Q2 2025 earnings (reported August 6) details are not fully provided, but the stock’s significant drop suggests a miss on expectations or weak guidance. Despite this, FTNT’s long-term outlook remains strong, with analysts noting its momentum in cybersecurity ahead of earnings. The stock’s year-to-date performance (down from $100.88 in January 2025) reflects challenges in maintaining growth expectations.
- Clues for Post-Earnings Moves: The recent price drop indicates that options traders who bet on puts or straddles likely profited from the volatility. For future earnings, traders might focus on protective puts or bearish spreads if cybersecurity spending slows, as suggested by the recent market reaction. Conversely, a recovery could be anticipated if FTNT provides strong guidance, with potential support around $70 and resistance near $80–$85, based on recent trading ranges.
Broader Context and Options Strategies
- Market Sentiment: PLTR benefits from strong AI-driven momentum, with options traders likely favoring bullish strategies like call options or bull call spreads. UBER’s resilience despite autonomous driving concerns suggests a balanced approach, with traders using straddles or strangles to capture volatility. FTNT’s recent sell-off points to bearish sentiment, with put options or bear put spreads being popular until positive catalysts emerge.
- Volatility Expectations: PLTR’s high IV (12.5–17.8% expected moves) contrasts with UBER’s more stable outlook and FTNT’s post-earnings volatility spike. Traders can use this to gauge potential price swings, with PLTR offering the largest expected moves.
- Insurance Industry Connection: While the original query referenced a Zurich insurance case, there’s no direct link to options trading for PLTR, UBER, or FTNT. However, the insurance sector’s focus on risk management aligns with options strategies like protective puts, which could be relevant for hedging FTNT’s recent volatility or UBER’s competitive risks.
Conclusion
Options trading for PLTR suggests strong bullish expectations with significant volatility (12.5–17.8% moves), driven by its AI growth and government contracts. UBER’s options activity likely reflects cautious optimism, with potential for 5–10% moves based on its fundamentals and competitive pressures. FTNT’s recent price drop indicates bearish options sentiment, with traders likely favoring puts or hedging strategies until positive guidance emerges. For precise post-earnings predictions, monitor implied volatility and call/put ratios closer to each company’s next earnings date (e.g., PLTR on November 10, 2025). Always consider risks, as options trading carries high volatility and potential losses.