Options Volatility and Implied Earnings Moves Today, September 18, 2025

Markets brace for seismic shifts as earnings season volatility hits fever pitch.

Implied Moves Signal Turbulence Ahead

Traders price in explosive price swings across major equities—options markets flashing warning signs that could make or break portfolios in single sessions. Volatility skews suggest smart money positioning for downside protection while retail piles into lottery tickets.

The Gamma Squeeze Calculus

Market makers hedge furiously against concentrated options positions—creating feedback loops that amplify moves beyond fundamentals. When gamma exposure clusters at key strikes, entire indices get dragged into the chaos.

Earnings as Catalyst Carnage

Companies reporting today face binary outcomes—beat and soar 20%, miss and get decimated 30%. Options premiums reflect desperation hedging from institutional players who've learned the hard way that guidance matters more than headlines.

Zero-sum games dressed up as 'investment strategies'—because nothing says sophisticated like gambling on quarterly theater while pretending it's analysis.

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Ahead of earnings, TipRanks shows you the expected earnings move, which is based on options prices. Many investors follow options activity prior to earnings announcements, as it provides insights into how the stock might MOVE immediately after the earnings announcement.

To help you plan your investing, here is a list of today’s major earnings and their implied moves. The list is divided according to the timing of each company’s earnings release.

Click on any ticker to see the additional data about options on the stock, including real-time expected earnings moves, prices, volume, and open interest.

Companies Reporting Before Market Open
DRI: +/- 5.75%
FDS: +/- 8.10%

Companies Reporting After Market Close
FDX: +/- 7.99%
LEN: +/- 6.14%
SCHL: +/- 13.23%

Please note that options trading has known risks. Thorough research is recommended before engaging in options trading.