Home Technology NQ Mobile Inc (NQ) Must Plunge 46 Percent For Puts To Win

NQ Mobile Inc (NQ) Must Plunge 46 Percent For Puts To Win

When you purchase through our sponsored links, we may earn a commission. By using this website you agree to our T&Cs.

NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ) shares have fallen by 51% since short seller Carson Block accused it of being a Chinese fraud. Nonetheless, the stock’s going to have to fall even further if most of the investors who bought bearish options that expire May 17 are going to see a return on their investments.

NQ Mobile options expire after deadline

May 17 is a key date for NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ) because it’s two days after the Chinese company said it would complete an investigation into the claims made by Block. He accused NQ Mobile of overstating its revenues. Bloomberg Businessweek reports that there are some 345,000 bearish options out on NQ Mobile right now, and approximately two-thirds of them expire by May 17.

The most popular put contracts will earn money if shares of NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ) plunge 46% from last night’s close The stock is on its way, but still a far cry from that. The number of shares sold short is now 26% of the company’s outstanding shares. This is the largest number among the most popular Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges.

Currently the number of bearish options on NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ) that expire this week is approximately 226,000 contracts, which is triple the number of bullish contracts, according to Bloomberg data. The media company reports that puts with a $6 strike price have the most interest at over 97,000 contracts. It’s been more than a year since shares of NQ Mobile were trading at that level.

NQ Mobile investigation results due tomorrow

Shearman & Sterling LLP and Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Ltd. are leading an investigation of NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ)’s finances. The results of that investigation will likely be a major catalyst for NQ Mobile stock—either upward or downward. The investigation will be a key judgment on whether Carson Block is right about NQ, or whether he’s wrong.

In a statement released on April 30, NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ) said the team it had hired (Shearman and Deloitte) had not yet found any evidence that it was overstating its revenue. The company pushed back the filing of its annual report 15 days so that it could wait for the results of the investigation. In an email sent to Bloomberg, Block said the delay basically means that “if NQ manages to receive an unqualified audit opinion, it will have been by the skin of its teeth.”

Our Editorial Standards

At ValueWalk, we’re committed to providing accurate, research-backed information. Our editors go above and beyond to ensure our content is trustworthy and transparent.

Michelle Jones
Editor

Want Financial Guidance Sent Straight to You?

  • Pop your email in the box, and you'll receive bi-weekly emails from ValueWalk.
  • We never send spam — only the latest financial news and guides to help you take charge of your financial future.