Intel’s Massive Move and the Conference Play I’m Tracking This Week

by Roger Scott | Jul 20, 2026

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We’ve got a massive week still ahead, and I wanted to break down something critical that could put you on the right side of serious option plays. With the market lacking strong directional bias and volatility staying uneven across sectors, understanding what options are pricing in becomes even more important.

When broad sentiment drifts without clear catalysts, individual earnings events and company-specific news often become the primary drivers of short-term movement.

I’ve been digging into the implied volatility expectations for major earnings reports, and the numbers are telling us exactly what the market is pricing in. When you understand what’s already baked into option values, you can position yourself strategically — whether through time spreads, straddles or strangles.

These setups thrive when we can measure whether expected moves are realistic or inflated.

Let me walk you through what I’m seeing and where the opportunities are.

Intel’s 14.9% Expected Move — Too Much or Just Right?

Intel (INTC) is expecting almost a 15% move after earnings, and here’s why that matters. The closest expiration options are predicting a 14.9% move, either up or down. This is already baked into the options value — it’s what the at-the-money strangle is telling us.

I always compare these expectations with Intel’s last 20 quarters. A simple historical table or chart makes it clear whether the current implied move sits above or below its typical earnings reaction.

Intel has had some big quarters, but many came nowhere near these levels, which is why this 14.9% expectation stands out.

This ties directly into time spreads — one of my favorite approaches. A time spread lets you take advantage of inflated implied volatility in the near-term options while anchoring the other side of the trade in a later expiration where volatility tends to be more stable.

If Intel doesn’t come close to that 15% move, the decay in the front-week options can work in your favor.

In addition to Intel, IBM (IBM), Google (GOOGL) and Texas Instruments (TXN) are reporting. Each stock has its own implied volatility profile, but overall market sentiment has been muted. Without strong macro catalysts like major economic reports or policy shifts, individual stocks can struggle to break out unless earnings truly surprise.

The AMD Conference Play You Need to Know About

AMD (AMD) has a conference in San Francisco, and chip conferences can move stocks just as much as earnings. Semiconductor companies often roll out new technology, updated roadmaps or stronger guidance — all of which can trigger volatility that options traders can monetize.

This creates an environment where straddles or strangles make sense, especially when implied volatility hasn’t fully adjusted. I’m watching AMD and other chip names closely because this conference adds a layer of movement the market may not be pricing in.

With broader sentiment lacking a clear catalyst, these targeted events can offer standout opportunities.

I hope that helps!

Roger Scott
Roger Scott Trading

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