Investors Purchase High Volume of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF Put Options (NYSEARCA:XOP)

Posted by George Bondi on Aug 26th, 2026

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSEARCA:XOP – Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Tuesday. Stock traders bought 30,643 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 52% compared to the average daily volume of 20,132 put options.

Key Stories Impacting SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

Here are the key news stories impacting SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF this week:

Positive Sentiment: Oil-market supply remains constrained, with fewer than 20 commodity vessels reportedly transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. The disruption could continue supporting crude prices and the earnings outlook for exploration and production companies. Fewer than 20 ships transit key Strait of Hormuz over weekend
Positive Sentiment: The International Energy Agency said it is not currently discussing another release of strategic oil reserves, removing a potential source of additional supply that could weigh on crude prices. IEA’s Birol: not discussing a second release of strategic oil reserves
Neutral Sentiment: Investors are weighing expanded U.S. secondary sanctions against Iran. The measures could restrict supply and support oil prices, but their actual effect remains uncertain while markets focus on developments around Hormuz. Oil prices steady as investors weigh impact of expanded U.S. sanctions against Iran
Negative Sentiment: U.S. oil prices extended their decline after Iran said it resumed talks with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes that the key energy route could reopen. Pakistan-led mediation and reports that mines were removed from the waterway added to the pressure on crude. US oil prices extend losses on hopes of Iran-Oman talks on Strait of Hormuz
Negative Sentiment: Options activity showed unusually heavy bearish positioning, with traders purchasing approximately 30,643 XOP put options—about 52% above typical volume. This signals increased demand for downside protection or speculation on further weakness.
Negative Sentiment: Several EU countries are seeking discussions on a windfall-profit tax for oil companies linked to the Hormuz disruption, creating a potential longer-term policy risk for producers’ profits. Six countries want EU talks in September on taxing windfall profits of oil companies

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSEARCA:XOP opened at $182.73 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.86 billion, a PE ratio of 11.28 and a beta of 0.53. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $167.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $166.61. SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF has a twelve month low of $122.11 and a twelve month high of $191.24.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $827,000. Ping Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 21.2% during the fourth quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. now owns 40,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,050,000 after purchasing an additional 7,000 shares in the last quarter. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP boosted its position in shares of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 284.8% in the fourth quarter. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP now owns 9,873 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,247,000 after purchasing an additional 7,307 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 50.6% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 26,820 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,386,000 after purchasing an additional 9,009 shares during the period. Finally, Graham Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF by 35.7% in the fourth quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 31,150 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,933,000 after purchasing an additional 8,200 shares during the period.

About SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

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SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the total return performance of the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index. The S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index represents the oil and gas exploration and production sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Markets Index. The S&P TMI tracks all the United States common stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) National Market and NASDAQ Small Cap exchanges.