Key Numbers
- 30 lots — contracts bought at $0.55 each (Reddit post, 2026‑05‑22)
- $0.55 — price per NBIS call at market close Wednesday (Reddit post, 2026‑05‑22)
- 190‑range — NBIS stock price around $190 when the trade was entered (Reddit post, 2026‑05‑22)
Bottom Line
The trade netted a roughly 30‑fold return in under 24 hours. Replicating it requires tight timing around earnings and a willingness to hold ultra‑short‑dated options.
A Reddit user bought 30 NBIS call contracts at $0.55 each on Wednesday after NVDA’s earnings beat (May 22, 2026). Selling the position an hour into Thursday’s session turned $550 into about $16,500, showing how volatile 1‑day‑to‑expiration (1DTE) options can generate outsized gains.
Why This Matters to You
If you own high‑beta semiconductor stocks, NVDA’s earnings can move the whole sector, creating short‑term spikes in related options. For traders who can monitor earnings calendars, a similar 1DTE call play could multiply capital in a single session.
Exploit NVDA‑Driven Sector Rallies With 1DTE Calls
NVDA’s earnings beat on May 22 sent the semiconductor index up 4% in the first hour of Thursday trading (Reddit post, 2026‑05‑22). The surge lifted NBIS, a niche chipmaker, despite its own price hovering near $190.
Because NBIS options expire the same day, the trade’s profit hinged on a rapid price swing rather than a sustained trend. The trader’s 30‑lot purchase at $0.55 captured the early‑session rally and was liquidated within an hour, locking in a 30‑times return.
Timing Is Everything: Why the First Hour Matters
The first 60 minutes after earnings release typically contain the bulk of price discovery (Analyst view — TradeStation, May 2026). Volume spikes and order‑flow imbalances can push out‑of‑the‑money calls deep into the money within minutes.
Holding beyond that window often erodes gains as time decay (Theta) accelerates on 1DTE contracts. The Reddit trader’s decision to sell immediately after the initial surge avoided the rapid Theta bleed that would have occurred later in the day.
Risk Management for High‑Leverage 1DTE Plays
While the upside can be spectacular, the downside is total loss of premium if the stock stalls or moves opposite the bet (Confirmed — Reddit post, 2026‑05‑22). A $0.55 entry price means a $550 total outlay; a flat NBIS price would wipe the position.
Successful replication demands a strict stop‑loss discipline, such as exiting if the underlying fails to move 2% within the first 15 minutes, or capping exposure to a small percentage of the trading account.
What to Watch
- Watch NVDA earnings releases and post‑earnings price action (next earnings, Feb 2027) — a repeat of the 4% sector rally could revive similar 1DTE opportunities (this month)
- Monitor NBIS price relative to the semiconductor index on earnings days (next earnings, Aug 2026) — a break above $200 could trigger a fresh call surge (next month)
- Track 1DTE option volume spikes on platforms like ThinkOrSwim (weekly data release, every Friday) — unusually high volume may signal a crowd‑driven move (this week)
| Bull Case | Bear Case |
|---|---|
| Repeated NVDA beats keep the semiconductor sector volatile, fueling repeatable 1DTE call profits. | High Theta decay and low liquidity on thin‑traded stocks like NBIS can wipe out premiums if the rally stalls. |
Will you allocate a small portion of your portfolio to 1DTE earnings plays, or stay clear of the high‑risk, high‑reward zone?
Key Terms
- 1DTE (one‑day‑to‑expiration) — options that expire at the end of the trading day they are bought.
- Theta (time decay) — the rate at which an option loses value as expiration approaches.
- Out‑of‑the‑money (OTM) — an option whose strike price is less favorable than the current market price.