MARKET REALITY CHECK Alphabet reports earnings after US market close today. Options markets are pricing in implied volatility above 100% – yet the expected move is only ±4.8%.
For comparison: Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon all expect moves between ±6.2% and ±6.4%. Alphabet already ran up +26% in April.
What does this mean?
- Either options traders expect less surprise from Google than the other tech giants
- Or it's a classic volatility mispricing
- Smart money might already be positioned
For options traders: The lower expected move combined with high IV could be an interesting setup. Get the direction right and you win – but IV crush will hit hard after earnings.
The next few hours will show if the market was right.
