Paper bought 2000 NBL March 110 Calls for $3.80 (2.8 times usual volume) when stock was trading $111.85
Paper bought 4330 AVGO March 37.5 Calls for $.80 (6.1 times usual volume) when stock was trading $35.66
Paper bought 1500 APH Feb 70 Calls for $.70 (5.4 times usual volume) when stock was trading $70.58
Paper bought 750 WLK July 86.25 Calls for $10.40 (3.1 times usual volume) when stock was trading $91.77
Paper bought 4000 SKS Aug 12 Calls for $.75 (5.5 times usual volume) when stock was trading $11.24

Paper bought 20,595 HLF May 22.5 Puts for $.90 (5.6 times usual volume) when stock was trading $43.44
Paper bought 25034 TJX Feb 45 Calls and Sold March 45 Calls for $.80 Credit (14.2 times usual volume) when stock was trading $45.13
Paper bought 1700 APA Feb 75 Puts for $.02 (2.8 times usual volume) when stock was trading $77.69
Paper bought 4500 SKS Aug 12 Calls for $.75 (5.5 times usual volume) when stock was trading $11.24
Paper bought 20,000 CIM March 3 Puts for $.10 (4.6 times usual volume) when stock was trading $3.06 

Today BRK decided to announce their intention to purchase HNZ . The deal sums to 23 billion and involves both BRK and G3 capital. Furthermore, the firm is estimated to be taken out at $72.50. HNZ is the maker of the iconic red ketchup and Ore-Ida fries. Shares are currently trading above the proposed deal price, which could imply that other firms may be interested in jumping into the bidding action.

The lead bankers are JPM, LAZ and WFC.  The increase in financial activity can also mean larger fees for the investment banks, for in M&A it is feast of famine.

In related news, many other deals have gone through. DIS recently inked a deal with  NFLX. And  just this week, cmcsa and GE  finished talks about NBC universal.

—

Mark Salerno
salerno.mark.a@gmail>

Paper bought 4500 CALD June 5 Calls for $.60 (1125 times usual volume) when stock was trading $4.66
Paper bought 2337 ARRS May 17.5 Calls for $.70 (8.5 times usual volume) when stock was trading $16.88
Paper bought 1632 DGI Feb 27.5 Calls for $.45 (5.0 times usual volume) when stock was trading $27.81
Paper bought 350 HNR Feb 10 Calls for $.20 (1.8 times usual volume) when stock was trading $9.44
Paper bought 19,450 DG Aug 50 Calls for $1.15 (7.0 times usual volume) when stock was trading $43.91