Using a broad sample of merger announcements, I find unusual option volume right before these announcements. The abnormal option volume provides new information about the pre-merger stock price runup beyond what is incorporated in the stock market. I also find that there exists abnormal option...

Using a broad sample of merger announcements, I find unusual option volume right before these announcements, an abnormality which provides new information about the pre-merger stock price runup beyond what is incorporated in the stock market. I also find that there exists abnormal option pricing...