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IBM Secures $1 Billion Quantum Computing Grant, Sparks Options Trading Surge

IBM has become the largest recipient of federal quantum computing grants, securing $1 billion from the Commerce Department. The announcement triggered exceptional activity in options markets, with nearly 200,000 contracts trading Thursday—roughly 15 times the 30-day daily average. Call buyers significantly outnumbered sellers, with 42,000 calls purchased against 27,500 sold, while put activity remained minimal at under 4,000 contracts. A major trader purchased over 500 contracts of the 260-strike call expiring in December, the longest-dated available option, requiring IBM stock to reach approximately $312 by expiration—a 30% move from current levels. The Armonk-based technology firm's shares had declined 30% since November as the broader cloud sector weakened, positioning government backing as a potential recovery catalyst.