Today we detected a standalone order of 1,280 contracts of the GOOGL $170 Call expiring 18 July 2025. This order was executed as a sweep at $8.19 per contract while the stock was trading at $169.35. This puts the total premium paid for this order at a bit over $1M. Given that the $170 strike price was virtually identical to the underlying share price at execution—separated by barely a one-dollar margin—the trader deliberately selected an at-the-money call.
Volume and Open Interest Data
Over the last three trading sessions, the GOOGL 170 Call expiring 18 July 2025 has attracted steadily heavier trading and—crucially—fresh positioning rather than mere churn. Volume climbed from 1,269 contracts on the 19th of May to 3,687 on the 20th, then surged to 5,085 on the 21st May. Open interest rose each day by +282, +482, and +1,290 contracts, lifting the running total to 18,095. Today’s massive bullish call position accounted for approximately 7% of the total open interest.
Because open interest expanded alongside turnover, roughly a third of the week’s 10,000-plus contracts represent newly opened positions as opposed to closing trades. The daily volume-to-OI ratios likewise jumped from 0.08 → 0.22 → 0.28. Such a climb underscores growing participation. Meanwhile the contract’s last price advanced from $5.35 to $8.15. Implied volatility also ticked up toward 30%, suggesting traders are paying higher premiums to secure bullish exposure and dealers are repricing risk accordingly.
Trade Side Distribution
The trade-side breakdown for the GOOGL 170 C 07/18/2025 contract is heavily skewed toward aggressive buying. 87% of the $1.16 million premium was printed “Above” the quoted ask, indicating buyers were willing to pay through the market to secure contracts quickly. The remaining 13% (≈$159k) changed hands right at the midpoint. No volume hit the posted ask, bid, or below-bid levels. In short, virtually all of the flow reflects price-insensitive demand rather than passive or liquidity-seeking orders—an emphatically bullish signal.
What’s Happening with Google
At Google I/O 2025, the company unveiled its largest Gemini upgrade yet, promoting the AI assistant from preview to general availability and weaving it deep into every flagship product. The new Gemini 2.5 model now powers an “AI Mode” in Search. This new feature will allow users to chat with results, draft content or refine follow-up queries inline. Soon, it will sit inside Chrome via a floating icon for instant, page-aware help.
On phones, the refreshed Gemini Live picks up real-time camera recognition and screen-sharing. This will allow the assistant to see what you see and offer contextual guidance on the fly. Google also confirmed that Gemini is effectively replacing the legacy Google Assistant across Android and other platforms. These developments reflect Google’s bet that a single multimodal AI will handle search, productivity and everyday tasks alike.
About Google
Google, formally known as Alphabet Inc.’s Google division, is a global technology powerhouse best recognized for its dominant internet search engine but now spanning a broad portfolio of products and services. Its core businesses include Search, YouTube video streaming, Android mobile operating system, the Chrome browser, and Google Ads—the advertising platform that monetizes most of its consumer offerings.
Beyond advertising, Google operates Google Cloud, a rapidly growing suite of infrastructure and AI services for enterprises; Google Workspace productivity apps such as Gmail, Docs, and Meet; and hardware lines like Pixel phones, Nest smart-home devices, and Fitbit wearables. The company also invests heavily in advanced research—particularly artificial intelligence—with projects such as the Gemini multimodal AI assistant, autonomous-driving unit Waymo, health-tech arm Verily, and other “Other Bets” that aim to push the boundaries of computing, connectivity, and sustainability.
Analyst Ratings on Google
| Firm / Service | Latest Rating | Last Update |
|---|---|---|
| CFRA | ★★★★★ (5 Stars) | 21 May 2025 |
| Market Edge | Neutral (upgraded from “Avoid”) | 06 May 2025 |
| Argus | Buy | 28 Apr 2025 |
| Morningstar | ★★★★★ (5 Stars) | 08 May 2025 |
| LSEG (formerly Refinitiv) | Outperform | 20 May 2025 |
| Schwab Equity Ratings | B | 20 May 2025 |
Across six independent research houses, the consensus on Google remains decisively upbeat. CFRA and Morningstar both assign the maximum five-star rating, indicating strong conviction that the shares are undervalued relative to long-term fundamentals. Argus echoes this view with an outright “Buy,” while LSEG slots the stock into “Outperform,” signalling expectations for market-beating returns. Schwab’s quantitative model supports the bullish tilt with a solid “B” (second-highest tier).
The only tempered voice is Market Edge, which recently lifted its stance to “Neutral” from “Avoid,” reflecting an improved technical backdrop yet still some caution on momentum. Taken together, the grid shows five positive opinions versus one neutral and none outright bearish—painting a broadly favorable picture for Alphabet’s prospects.
Want to see more of these trades? Try out Cheddar Flow free for 7 days. Learn More
Disclaimer: Options trading involves significant risk and is not suitable for all investors. You may lose the entire investment, and certain strategies may result in losses exceeding the initial amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always consult a financial or tax advisor before making investment decisions.
