MiMedx Options Bears Win Big on CEO Split

MCXG stock hit a four-year low earlier

A number of top executives have resigned at MiMedx Group Inc (NASDAQ:MDXG) amid an ongoing internal investigation over the biopharmaceutical firm's accounting practices. Most recently, CEO Pete Petit and Chief Operating Officer Bill Taylor are out, following the early June departure of the company's chief financial officer. In reaction, MDXG stock has plummeted 33.3% to trade at $4.27 -- fresh off a four-year low of $4.15.

It's been a devastating year for MDXG shares. Since topping out at a record high of $18.25 back on Jan. 29, the stock has shed more than three-quarters of its value -- due mostly to bear gaps related to both the internal and federal investigations currently underway on MiMedx.

Amid this downtrend, skepticism has been picking up -- which has likely exacerbated the selling pressure. For starters, short interest is up 38% since mid February to 50.86 million shares, a record high. These bearish bettors are sidelined for today and tomorrow's holiday-shortened session, though, with MDXG hitting the short-sale restricted list right out of the gate.

Pessimism has been building in the options pits, too. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), MDXG stock's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 6.74 ranks in the 73rd annual percentile, meaning puts have been bought to open over calls at a quicker-than-usual clip in recent weeks.

Data from the major options exchanges confirms heavy buy-to-open activity at the July 5 put back on June 19, with the ask price for the options closing that day at $0.57. At last check, these puts were bid at $0.90, meaning those that bought them nine trading days ago are now looking at a substantial profit.