
AI-generated summary
Snap shares fell from over $80 in 2021 to under $10 since July 2025, reaching a low of $3.81 in April. The stock has remained depressed amid broader social media sector challenges.
Don't call it a comeback yet, but shares of beleaguered social media stock Snap Inc. are up almost 20% this month and options traders are betting it's about to go on a big run.
Snap shares have traded under $10 since July 2025 following a near-complete collapse from over $80 at the stock's high in 2021 to a low of $3.81 in April. But now, as excitement swirls over social media giant Meta Platforms' AI agent, traders are pouring into Snap call options on Monday, propelling trading volume to more than four times the month-long average, Cboe LiveVol data show.
Almost 140,000 options on Snap traded Monday, including about 64,000 call trades that were likely initiated by buyers, compared to under 7,000 puts. Traders sold more than 12,000 puts, and just over 34,000 calls. The net trade sentiment, as well as net directional bias according to options deltas, was positive, according to Barchart.
Nine out of the top 10 trades by volume were calls, and of the $5.5 million in premium exchanged, $5 million was tied to calls, SpotGamma data show.
The most popular contract to buy was the 8-strike call expiring Dec. 18, which traded 26,000 times. That contract costs about 37 cents and needs Snap to rally 30% before expiry to pay off. If that happens, it would be the highest the stock's traded since February.
The owner of photo-sharing and messaging app Snapchat also offers augmented-reality `Specs' glasses. Shareholder Blue Duck Capital issued an open letter to Snap's board of directors last week urging the company to raise dedicated capital to support the product, saying it could lead to a $12-$14 share price.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Snap Inc. stock reaches $10-$12 range by December 18, 2025
Possible · Within weeks

Robert Hall, professor emeritus at Stanford University, received the Nobel Prize in Economics for his research on economic volatility and said he was grateful for his lifelong research experience and the support of his colleagues.

The French group Crédit Agricole announced an agreement with the American fund Lone Star Funds to buy the entire capital of the German bank IKB Deutsche Industriebank, as part of its development strategy in Germany, particularly with mid-sized companies. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2027.

MPS says the premium offered by Intesa Sanpaolo for the acquisition remains lower than the average observed in comparable voluntary public offerings in the Italian banking sector, equal to around 30% compared to the price before the announcement. The Sienese bank underlines the uncertainty linked to the subordination of the offer to the rejection of its plan and invites shareholders to decide without complete information.

The Banque de France confirmed on Monday a GDP growth forecast of 0.1% for the third quarter, after a month of September where activity held up but in a contrasting manner according to its monthly survey of 8,500 business leaders, with progress in industry and commercial services, but stagnation in construction.

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti has asked banks, insurance companies and energy companies to contribute to the budget law, citing a plan B, C and D while awaiting the European response on the escape clause for energy and defense. It confirmed the hyper-depreciation and the 5% flat tax on salary increases, while Istat reports a decline in real wages of 9.4% compared to 2021. The hearings of the Court of Auditors, the Bank of Italy and the PBO highlight risks linked to debt and interests, with the PBO warning of possible budget deviations that could compromise the exit from the excessive deficit procedure. The majority parties discuss priorities: Forza Italia proposes no tax area for young people and Irpef reduction, the League focuses on early pensions and abolition of the Rai license fee.

IonQ announced it will acquire cybersecurity company Elisity in an all-stock deal valued at up to $1.3 billion, including $150 million in performance-based earnouts, to strengthen defenses against AI and quantum threats, with the deal expected to close in Q4 subject to regulatory approval.