Traders Buy Large Volume of Bristol Myers Squibb Put Options (NYSE:BMY)

Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Thursday. Stock traders purchased 44,454 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of 71% compared to the typical volume of 26,019 put options.

Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of BMY stock opened at $63.76 on Friday. Bristol Myers Squibb has a one year low of $42.52 and a one year high of $68.64. The stock has a market cap of $130.25 billion, a PE ratio of 14.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.31 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $63.50 and a 200-day moving average of $60.05.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.60 by $0.44. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 66.90% and a net margin of 18.87%.The firm had revenue of $12.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.74 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.46 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.750-7.000 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol Myers Squibb will post 6.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 2nd. Bristol Myers Squibb’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.51%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Bristol Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $75.00 target price (up from $72.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $70.00 price objective (up from $66.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $66.33.

Key Bristol Myers Squibb News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bristol Myers Squibb this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Positive Phase 2 results for arlo-cel in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma strengthen Bristol Myers Squibb’s cell-therapy pipeline and could support future growth if the treatment advances successfully. Bristol Myers Squibb Reports Positive Phase 2 Results for Arlo-cel
• Positive Sentiment: An update from a long-term psoriasis study provides additional data for investors evaluating Sotyktu and Bristol Myers Squibb’s ability to expand its growth-brand portfolio. Bristol Myers Squibb’s Long-Term Psoriasis Study
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to cite momentum from BMY’s growth brands and pipeline progress. Sector concerns following safety issues in a Novartis CAR-T program may also improve the relative appeal of Bristol Myers Squibb’s cell-therapy efforts, although this is not a direct change to BMY’s fundamentals. Could Bristol-Myers Squibb Outperform Novartis?
• Neutral Sentiment: Scotiabank maintained its Hold rating, suggesting the current valuation and outlook do not yet justify a stronger bullish view. Scotiabank Keeps Its Hold Rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent coverage focused on BMY’s market underperformance rather than a new fundamental announcement, indicating investor caution after the stock’s recent weakness. Bristol Myers Squibb Declines More Than Market
• Negative Sentiment: Unusually heavy put-option activity—44,454 contracts, approximately 71% above typical volume—signals increased near-term hedging or bearish speculation, though options activity alone does not confirm a fundamental deterioration.
• Negative Sentiment: RBC said Cytokinetics has an advantage in a patent dispute involving Bristol Myers Squibb, creating potential legal and competitive risk for BMY. Cytokinetics Has Advantage in Bristol-Myers Squibb Patent Dispute
• Negative Sentiment: Generic pressure on BMY’s legacy portfolio remains a key concern, potentially offsetting growth-brand gains and limiting enthusiasm for the shares.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Phil M. Holzer sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.50, for a total transaction of $33,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 16,862 shares in the company, valued at $1,138,185. This trade represents a 2.88% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.05% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bristol Myers Squibb

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 5,484.7% during the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 185,255,963 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $10,674,449,000 after buying an additional 181,938,762 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,947,272,000. Primecap Management Co. CA bought a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,436,115,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the second quarter worth $980,862,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 172.6% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 25,796,905 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $1,391,485,000 after purchasing an additional 16,332,924 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.41% of the company’s stock.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes prescription medicines. Its portfolio includes therapies for cancer, blood disorders, cardiovascular disease, immune-mediated conditions and psychiatric disorders. Key products include Opdivo and Yervoy for oncology, Eliquis for reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism, Revlimid for certain blood cancers, and several other specialty medicines.

The company serves patients and healthcare providers in markets around the world, with operations and commercial activities spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other international regions.