"they" usually manipulate in such ways that option traders go broke. except for short term insider trading cases like the recent blackstone-hilton deal where "they" can't do anything about it except for crying foul and then SEC initiates some worthless investigations.
...and who seems to know more? A bunch of nameless faceless guys behind home computers using handles on an unreputable trading website or Bloomberg? Looks like futures in the red at this point...
I see some 5 % more upward mometum over here. Lots of cash still waiting to get into these markets ! Buy on dips is the name of the game !
Yep, the theory on options is that most people buying them lose money. So it's intended as a contrarian indicator. In my personal opinion options are a poor indicator, no matter if used straight or as a contrarian.