Shares of Fluence Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) are under heavy pressure today, down 16.8% at $7.53, earlier tapping a fresh annual low of $7.01. The energy storage company lowered its fiscal 2026 guidance for a second time in 2026, citing setbacks in ramping up operations at its Houston contract manufacturing facility. No fewer than five analysts trimmed their price target, including RBC to $4 from $15.
The stock is looking to stretch its daily losing streak to four, now pacing for its worst single day performance since Feb. 5. FLNC carries a 54.4% year-to-date deficit, with today's selloff eating up most of its year-over-year performance as well.
Short interest is on the rise at the moment, up 16.1% during the past two reporting periods. Currently 25.95 million shares are sold short, accounting for 21.2% of FLNC's available float. At the stock's average pace of trading, it would take short sellers more than three days to cover their positions.
Options traders have been quick to the tape. Over 7,700 calls and nearly 4,600 puts have been exchanged, eight times the average intraday rate. Seeing spread action are the September 7 call and put, with opening activity seen at both.
Now looks like an affordable time to consider FLNC options. This is per the stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 84%, which stands higher than 12% of all other readings from the past year, implying that near-term option traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations.
