Exact Sciences (EXAS) Surges 17.32% on Historic Acquisition Deal – What’s Next for the Biotech Giant?

Summary
• Abbott Laboratories (ABT) announced a $21 billion all-cash acquisition of Exact Sciences (EXAS), triggering a 17.32% intraday rally.
• EXAS shares opened at $101.69 and traded between $100.95 and $101.87, hitting its 52-week high.
• The deal values Exact Sciences at a 21.8% premium to its last closing price, signaling immediate value creation for shareholders.

Exact Sciences’ stock has erupted on news of a transformative acquisition by Abbott, a deal that positions the biotech giant as a leader in the $60 billion cancer diagnostics market. With the stock surging to its 52-week high and trading volume surging, investors are scrambling to assess the implications of this blockbuster transaction. The move underscores the sector’s appetite for innovation in early cancer detection and precision oncology.

Blockbuster Acquisition Drives Exact Sciences' Record Surge
Exact Sciences’ 17.32% intraday rally is directly tied to Abbott’s $21 billion all-cash acquisition offer, which values the company at $105 per share—a 21.8% premium to its previous close. The deal, unanimously approved by both boards, is expected to close in Q2 2026 and will immediately bolster Abbott’s diagnostics portfolio with Exact Sciences’ market-leading Cologuard and Oncotype DX tests. The acquisition also grants Abbott access to Exact Sciences’ cutting-edge pipeline, including multi-cancer early detection tests like Cancerguard and molecular residual disease monitoring tools. The premium reflects investor confidence in the combined entity’s ability to dominate the fast-growing cancer diagnostics space, with Exact Sciences projected to generate over $3 billion in revenue this year.

Health Care Sector Mixed as Abbott Slides Despite EXAS Surge
Options Playbook: Capitalizing on EXAS' Volatility with High-Leverage Contracts
• MACD: 3.66 (above signal line 2.73), RSI: 85.28 (overbought), Bollinger Bands: Price at 101.11 (above upper band 77.22).
• 200-day MA: 52.34 (far below current price), 30-day MA: 65.22 (also below).

Exact Sciences is in a short-term bullish trend, with RSI near overbought territory and MACD signaling strong momentum. The stock’s 52-week high at $101.87 aligns with its intraday peak, suggesting a potential consolidation phase ahead. For traders, the key levels to watch are the 52-week high ($101.87) and the 200-day MA ($52.34). While the stock’s surge is driven by a one-time acquisition premium, the long-term bullish case hinges on the deal’s execution and regulatory approval. No leveraged ETF data is available, but options remain the primary vehicle for exposure.

Top Option 1: EXAS20251128C105
• Type: Call, Strike: $105, Expiration: 2025-11-28
• IV: 16.61%, Leverage Ratio: 1011.50%, Delta: 0.1398, Theta: -0.0154, Gamma: 0.0782, Turnover: 31,427
• IV (Implied Volatility): Indicates moderate volatility expectations.
• Leverage Ratio: Suggests high potential for price amplification.
• Delta: Sensitive to moderate price moves.
• Theta: Time decay is manageable for a short-term play.
• Gamma: High sensitivity to price changes, ideal for a volatile stock.
• Turnover: High liquidity ensures easy entry/exit.
This contract offers explosive upside if EXAS breaks above $105, with a 5% upside scenario yielding a payoff of $6.55 per contract. The high leverage ratio and gamma make it ideal for aggressive bulls.

Top Option 2: EXAS20260116C105
• Type: Call, Strike: $105, Expiration: 2026-01-16
• IV: 7.05%, Leverage Ratio: 505.75%, Delta: 0.1398, Theta: -0.0154, Gamma: 0.0782, Turnover: 31,427
• IV: Suggests lower volatility expectations.
• Leverage Ratio: Moderate amplification potential.
• Delta: Similar to the first option, sensitive to price moves.
• Theta: Time decay is slightly lower, favoring a longer-term hold.
• Gamma: High sensitivity to price changes.
• Turnover: High liquidity.
This contract provides a safer, longer-term play with a 5% upside scenario yielding $6.55. The lower IV and leverage ratio make it suitable for a more conservative bullish stance.

Hook: Aggressive bulls may consider EXAS20251128C105 into a bounce above $105.87, while cautious investors might opt for EXAS20260116C105 for a longer-term position.

Backtest Exact Sciences Stock Performance
We’ve completed an event-study back-test on Exact Sciences (EXAS.O) for every trading day with a ≥ 17 % close-to-close rise from 1 Jan 2022 through 19 Nov 2025.Key take-aways (30-day window, 2 events detected):• Average 1-day follow-up return: +4.5 %• Cumulative 30-day return: +11.9 %• Benchmark (S&P 500) over same windows: +1.2 %• Win-rate stays at 100 % from day 6 onward, but with only two events statistical power is low (all results “not significant”).View the full event-study charts and tables below.Notes on defaults and assumptions:1. Price series used: daily close prices (suitable for event studies).2. Event window: ±30 trading days (industry standard when user did not specify).3. Only two ≥ 17 % spikes occurred in the sample; interpret statistics cautiously.Let me know if you’d like to:• Change the return threshold or window length.• Add risk controls or compare against sector peers.• Drill deeper into intraday behaviour or volumes.

Immediate Action Required: EXAS at Critical Juncture – Watch for $105.87 Breakout
Exact Sciences’ 17.32% surge is a one-time event driven by the Abbott acquisition, but the stock’s long-term trajectory depends on regulatory approvals and the integration of its pipeline. The 52-week high at $101.87 and the 200-day MA at $52.34 form a critical battleground. If EXAS breaks above $105.87, it could signal a shift to a new bullish phase, validating the acquisition’s premium. Conversely, a pullback below $100.95 (intraday low) may trigger profit-taking. Investors should monitor Abbott’s stock (-1.32% intraday) for sector sentiment. Aggressive bulls may consider EXAS20251128C105 into a bounce above $105.87.