10 Hot Stocks to Watch — Thursday, July 23, 2026

Super Micro Computer jumped 19.84% to $30.56 after posting record Q4 order backlogs exceeding $60 billion and surprising margin beats—a catalyst that reignited AI server demand alongside Dell's 9.3% rally. Options markets are pricing aggressive upside, with a 6.72 call-to-put ratio and 73,963 contracts trading in the $30–$32 strike range ahead of Friday expiry. Key resistance sits at $32 and $35; break above $32 would signal momentum toward the 52-week high of $62.36.

ServiceNow shares fell 6.47% today despite Q2 earnings that exceeded revenue and profit estimates, with 23% subscription growth and AI ACV surpassing $1 billion. The disconnect signals profit-taking after a 159% run from 52-week lows, yet options traders are aggressively positioning for recovery—call volume dwarfs puts with a 2.81 C/P ratio, with heavy concentration in $100–$120 calls expiring tomorrow. Watch $95–$100 as near-term support; a hold signals the selloff is technical rather than fundamental.

Palantir Technologies tumbled 6.1% to $124.57 ahead of what investors are treating as a make-or-break earnings report, triggering a sharp sell-off in equity markets. Yet options traders are painting a starkly different picture: a 4.13 call-to-put ratio and heavy volume in 2026 call spreads—particularly the $130, $135, and $140 strikes—suggest institutional players are positioning for a post-earnings bounce. The concentration of call buying at strikes $5–$16 above current price signals conviction in a recovery move within the next 18 months, even as spot weakness persists.

Coinbase fell 5.53% today as Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal announced his departure effective July 31, 2026, triggering a sector-wide financial selloff. Yet options markets are painting a different picture: call volume is running 1.83x puts, with 6,441 contracts flooding into the $200 call expiring July 24, 2026—well above current levels. Institutional traders are betting on a recovery toward $180–$200 despite near-term headwinds. Watch the $175 support level; a breach could trigger forced unwinding.

Regeneron shares dropped 3.56% today despite analyst Brad Canino's Guggenheim upgrade lifting the price target to $1,000 from $995, suggesting the rally may already be priced in at current valuations near $651. Options flow tells a different story: heavy put buying signals defensive positioning, with notable volume in $680 August calls (ITM) and $410 July puts (OTM), indicating traders are hedging downside while maintaining upside exposure. Watch the $680 support ahead of August expiration.

Okta shares dropped 3.54% to $136.69 today, extending recent weakness as broad technology sector rotation pressures the identity-security play. Yet options traders are aggressively long: call-to-put ratio sits at 1.81, with 475 contracts flooding the $143 July call and 203 contracts on the $150 August strike. The divergence suggests institutional buyers see a near-term floor, testing support near $114 ahead of an expected catalyst in late July.

Caterpillar jumped 3.29% to $892.72, riding the Dow's broad-based advance and benefiting from AI tailwinds in industrial automation. Yet options markets are flashing caution: a 0.06 call-to-put ratio signals heavy downside hedging, with 1,500-volume put contracts at $515 (July 2026) and $600 (July 2024) attracting institutional buyers. The stock's 82% run from 52-week lows has investors questioning whether CAT's premium valuation is justified—forcing traders to watch the $875 support level ahead of potential earnings volatility.

Intel fell 2.68% to $102.62 despite landing its first named foundry customer and securing CHIPS Act support—a sign investors remain skeptical on near-term profitability. Options markets are painting a starkly different picture: bullish call flow at a 2.57 call-to-put ratio shows heavy positioning above $105, with 7,901 contracts at the $120 strike expiring Thursday. The divergence suggests traders are betting on post-earnings upside, even as macro headwinds and AMD's server dominance weigh on current momentum.

Broadcom climbed 2.67% to $396.81 as major banks began syndicating what could be the largest private credit deal ever—a $35 billion financing package for the chipmaker's AI infrastructure expansion with Anthropic. Options traders are betting aggressively higher, with call volume surging to a 28:1 call-put ratio; July 24 calls at $430 and $415 strikes have drawn nearly 50,000 contracts combined, signaling conviction above $400. Watch the $420 level as near-term resistance; a close above it could trigger momentum into the $430 strike ahead of earnings.

Meta shares fell 2.58% to $627.17 despite a significant vote of confidence from BlackRock, which is bankrolling a $12B Texas data center project and acquiring Aligned for $40B—cementing institutional conviction in AI infrastructure. Options markets are painting a starkly different picture: heavy call buying has pushed the C/P ratio to 4.55, with over 10,600 contracts stacked at the $700 strike expiring late July, suggesting traders are positioning for an earnings-driven bounce. Watch July 29 for Meta's next report, where analysts expect the company to detail AI capex progress.