QQQ institutional options flow analysis — multi-leg block trades, dominant direction, and gamma analysis from the public options tape for October 29, 2025. Articles older than 60 days are public; sign in to read flow within the past month, upgrade to AIme Premium for today's unusual options trades without the delay.

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QQQ Unusual Options Activity — 2025-10-29

Institutional flow on 2025-10-29

Multi-leg block trades, dominant direction, and gamma analysis

$0.0M0 trades

Trade Details

Gamma Analysis

GEX Bias
Bullish
Support
$635
Resistance
$636

Full Analysis

QQQ Massive $317M Put Spread - Smart Money Hedging Tech Rally!

📅 October 29, 2025 | 🔥 Unusual Activity Detected

🎯 The Quick Take

Someone just deployed $317 MILLION in premium to build a massive bearish put spread on QQQ! This institutional-scale trade bought 120,848 contracts at $590 strike and sold the same size at $555 strike, both expiring March 20, 2026. With QQQ trading at $635.18 after a stellar 24.6% YTD run, smart money is hedging for a 7-13% decline over the next five months. Translation: Major players are buying insurance on their tech gains!

📊 ETF Overview

Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is one of the world's largest and most actively traded ETFs, tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index:

  • Current Price: $635.77 (at market close October 29, 2025)
  • YTD Return: +24.6% (outperforming S&P 500's +8.12%)
  • Assets Under Management: ~$402.8 billion
  • Primary Exchange: NASDAQ
  • Primary Holdings: NVDA (9.58%), AAPL (8.26%), MSFT (8.24%), AVGO (5.83%), AMZN (5.06%)

QQQ provides concentrated exposure to mega-cap technology and innovation-driven companies, making it the ultimate proxy for AI and digital transformation themes dominating markets.

💰 The Option Flow Breakdown

The Tape (October 29, 2025 @ 12:48:52):

TimeSymbolSideBuy/SellTypeExpirationPremiumStrikeVolumeOISizeSpotOption PriceOption Symbol
12:48:52QQQMIDBUYPUT2026-03-20$194M$590121K5.4K120,848$635.18$16.07QQQ20260320P590
12:48:52QQQMIDSELLPUT2026-03-20$123M$555121K129K120,848$635.18$10.14QQQ20260320P555

🤓 What This Actually Means

This is a bearish put debit spread (bear put spread) with massive institutional size:

  • 💸 Net premium paid: $71.6M ($5.93 per contract net debit)
  • 🎯 Breakeven: $584.07 (QQQ needs to fall 8.1% from current levels)
  • 📊 Maximum profit: $4.23 BILLION if QQQ closes below $555 at March expiration (7.7x return on capital)
  • 💰 Maximum loss: $71.6M if QQQ stays above $590 (limited and defined)
  • 📈 Implied view: QQQ falls 7-13% from current $635 to $555-$590 range by March 2026

What's really happening here: This trade represents 12 MILLION shares worth of QQQ exposure (~$7.6 billion notional). The structure is a hedge rather than an outright short - someone is protecting gains from QQQ's 24.6% YTD rally while limiting downside risk. The March 2026 expiration strategically captures:

Unusual Score: 🔥 EXTREME (118,584x average premium) - This is unprecedented institutional positioning! According to our 30-day historical analysis, this trade is in the 100th percentile with a z-score of 1,870.59. We've only seen 1 trade even remotely this size in the past month. This happens maybe once a year!

📈 Technical Setup / Chart Check-Up

YTD Performance Chart

QQQ YTD Performance

QQQ is up +24.6% YTD with a current price of $635.77. The chart shows a powerful recovery story - after a sharp 22.88% max drawdown around April, the ETF has steadily climbed to new all-time highs.

Key observations:

  • 📈 Strong momentum: Consistent uptrend since May with higher highs and higher lows
  • 💹 Record levels: QQQ at all-time high, breaking through $630 resistance
  • 🎢 Volatility: 24.7% annualized volatility reflects elevated risk in tech sector
  • 📊 Volume patterns: Increased activity in October suggests institutional repositioning before major tech earnings
  • 🚀 AI rally driver: NVIDIA hitting $5 trillion market cap on $500B chip orders and Microsoft partnership with OpenAI propelling the index

Gamma-Based Support & Resistance Analysis

QQQ Gamma S/R

Current Price: $635.77

The gamma exposure map reveals critical price magnets and barriers around current levels:

🔵 Support Levels (Put Gamma Below Price):

  • $635 - Immediate support with 225.6B total gamma exposure (strongest nearby level!)
  • $634 - Secondary support at 104.8B gamma
  • $630 - Major floor with 144.7B gamma (dealers will aggressively buy dips here)
  • $625 - Significant support zone at 115.9B gamma
  • $620 - Deep support with 90.3B gamma
  • $615 - Extended support at 74.5B gamma
  • $600 - Critical support with 127.3B gamma (psychological level)

🟠 Resistance Levels (Call Gamma Above Price):

  • $636 - Immediate resistance with 97.5B gamma (just overhead)
  • $640 - Stronger resistance at 138.0B gamma (dealers will hedge by selling)
  • $650 - Major resistance zone with 125.4B gamma (psychological barrier)

What this means for traders: The gamma data shows QQQ is trading right at the strongest support level ($635) with immediate resistance at $636-$640. Market makers holding these positions will hedge by selling ETF as price approaches $640, creating natural resistance. Conversely, the strong support cluster at $630-$635 means dealers will buy dips, creating multiple floors. This setup suggests QQQ could consolidate in a tight range here unless we get a major catalyst from tech earnings.

Net GEX Bias: Bullish (1,744.1B call gamma vs 1,167.9B put gamma) - Overall positioning leans bullish with net call gamma dominance, but the tight support/resistance bands suggest range-bound action near-term.

Implied Move Analysis

QQQ Implied Move

Options market pricing for upcoming expirations:

  • 📅 Weekly (Oct 31 - 2 days): ±$9.52 (±1.5%) → Range: $624.33 - $643.12
  • 📅 Monthly OPEX (Nov 21 - 23 days): ±$20.99 (±3.3%) → Range: $608.40 - $653.54
  • 📅 Quarterly Triple Witch (Dec 19 - 51 days): ±$31.66 (±4.98%) → Range: $593.08 - $663.55
  • 📅 March OPEX (Mar 20 - 142 days): Implied range captured by this put spread: $555 - $590

Translation for regular folks: Options traders are pricing in a 1.5% move ($9.52) by Friday and a 3.3% move ($20.99) through November expiration. That's pretty modest for a tech-heavy ETF heading into mega-cap earnings! The market seems to be expecting controlled volatility despite major catalysts.

The March 20th expiration (when this massive put spread expires) has significant strategic importance - it captures the entire Q4 2025 earnings season, December rebalancing, and early 2026 market dynamics. The spread strikes at $555-$590 represent a 12.6% to 7.2% decline from current levels, suggesting the trader expects meaningful downside but not a catastrophic crash.

🎪 Catalysts

🔥 Immediate Catalysts (This Week!)

Tech Mega-Cap Earnings - October 29-30, 2025 📊

The biggest week of earnings season is happening RIGHT NOW, with QQQ's top holdings reporting:

Meta Platforms (October 29, TODAY!) - 3.39% of QQQ

Microsoft (October 29, TODAY!) - 8.24% of QQQ

Amazon (October 30, TOMORROW!) - 5.06% of QQQ

Federal Reserve Rate Decision - October 29, 2025 (COMPLETED) 💰

The Fed cut interest rates by 0.25% today, bringing the fed funds rate to 3.75-4%, marking the second consecutive cut in 2025. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that "a further reduction in December is not a foregone conclusion", causing markets to reassess year-end expectations.

Lower rates benefit QQQ holdings by:

  • Reducing borrowing costs for capital-intensive AI infrastructure investments
  • Supporting higher valuations for growth stocks with distant cash flows
  • Stimulating consumer spending, benefiting e-commerce and digital advertising

🚀 Near-Term Catalysts (Q4 2025)

NVIDIA Earnings - November 19, 2025 📊 - 9.58% of QQQ (LARGEST HOLDING!)

NVIDIA expects to report Q3 2025 earnings with consensus EPS of $0.99 (+45.6% YoY). CEO Jensen Huang announced $500 billion in AI chip orders and plans to build government supercomputers. NVIDIA became the first company to hit $5 trillion market cap on October 29, up 50% in 2025, solidifying its dominance in AI infrastructure.

Apple iPhone 17 Holiday Quarter - October 30 Earnings Call - 8.26% of QQQ

Apple will report fiscal Q4 2025 results on October 30. The iPhone 17 launched September 9, 2025 with significant improvements: A19 chip supporting Apple Intelligence, 120Hz ProMotion display, Center Stage front camera, dual 48MP rear cameras, and 256GB base storage at $799. Holiday quarter demand will be critical for QQQ's second-largest holding.

Nasdaq-100 Annual Rebalancing - December 2025 🔄

The Nasdaq-100 undergoes its annual reconstitution in December, typically announced around December 8 with implementation on December 15. This rebalancing:

🤖 Medium-Term Catalysts (2026)

AI Infrastructure Investment Boom Continues 🏗️

The AI buildout remains the dominant theme driving QQQ performance:

Q1 2026 Earnings Season - January-March 2026 📈

The March 20 expiration of this put spread strategically positions to capture Q1 2026 earnings results from all major QQQ holdings. Historical data shows 93 out of 100 QQQ companies met or exceeded Q2 2025 earnings expectations, with 57 exceeding. However, sustaining this performance into 2026 amid elevated valuations and AI spending concerns remains uncertain.

Analyst Estimates Momentum:

⚠️ Risk Catalysts (Negative)

Valuation Concerns at All-Time Highs 📊

QQQ trading at record levels after 24.6% YTD gain raises concern about sustainability:

  • Technology sector valuations stretched relative to historical averages
  • Some experts warn of potential bubble dynamics in AI-fueled markets
  • Limited margin for error - any earnings disappointments could trigger quick de-rating
  • Concentration risk: Top 10 holdings represent over 52% of fund assets

AI Monetization Uncertainty 🤖

Despite massive AI infrastructure spending, profitability remains uncertain:

Economic and Macro Headwinds 💰

Broader economic factors could pressure tech valuations:

  • Fed signaling December rate cut "not a foregone conclusion" - fewer cuts than expected could pressure growth stocks
  • Government shutdown delaying economic data, creating information gaps
  • Consumer spending weakness could impact advertising (META) and e-commerce (AMZN)
  • Geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty

Margin Pressure from AI Spending 📉

The race to dominate AI infrastructure is costly:

🎲 Price Targets & Probabilities

Using gamma levels, implied move data, and upcoming catalysts, here are the scenarios through March 2026:

📈 Bull Case (25% probability)

Target: $650-$680

How we get there:

Key risks: Already at all-time highs after 24.6% YTD run. Would need multiple catalysts to align simultaneously. Gamma resistance at $640-$650 requires significant buying pressure to overcome. If this scenario plays out, the put spread expires worthless and trader loses full $71.6M premium.

🎯 Base Case (50% probability)

Target: $600-$640 range

Most likely scenario:

This is the most balanced view: QQQ consolidates gains, experiences normal 5-7% pullback from highs, but doesn't break down significantly. The put spread would show moderate profit if QQQ trades in the $600-$630 range by March, with maximum profit requiring a move below $555. Trader positioned for this scenario - willing to pay $71.6M for protection against deeper selloff.

📉 Bear Case (25% probability)

Target: $555-$590 (Put Spread Profit Zone)

What could trigger this:

  • 😰 Tech earnings disappoint: AI monetization concerns intensify, margins compress further
  • 💔 One or more mega-cap misses guidance badly: NVDA production issues, MSFT Azure slowdown, META capex explosion with no ROI, AMZN AWS struggles
  • 📉 Valuation reset as market realizes AI payoff is years away, not months
  • 💰 Fed turns more hawkish, signals no further cuts in 2026
  • 🌐 Macro deterioration: Consumer spending weakens, corporate guidance cautious, recession fears resurface
  • 🔻 Technical breakdown: Violates $630 support, triggers systematic deleveraging
  • 📊 Q1 2026 earnings season shows material deceleration in growth rates
  • 🛡️ Key technical levels: Break below $620 would accelerate selling toward $600, then $590

This is what the trader is hedging against: A 7-13% decline that brings QQQ into the $555-$590 profit zone of the put spread. Not predicting a crash, but protecting against a meaningful correction. Maximum profit of $4.23B achieved if QQQ closes below $555 (12.6% decline) - a 7.7x return on the $71.6M premium paid.

💡 Trading Ideas

🛡️ Conservative: Follow the Smart Money with Defined Risk

Play: Buy protective put spread on QQQ shares or long calls

Structure: If long QQQ, buy $630 puts, sell $610 puts (Dec 19 expiration)

Why this works:

  • 🛡️ Mimics institutional hedging strategy at smaller scale
  • 📊 Protects gains from 24.6% YTD rally ahead of uncertain tech earnings
  • 💰 Defined cost: Pay net ~$5-7 per spread for $20 of protection
  • 🎯 Covers major tech earnings, Fed meetings, December rebalancing
  • ⏰ 51 days allows time for potential correction to play out
  • 📈 If QQQ continues higher, only lose premium paid (insurance policy)
  • 📉 If correction materializes to $600-$610 range, protection kicks in

Estimated P&L (per spread):

  • 💰 Cost: $5-7 net debit ($500-700 per spread)
  • 📈 Max profit: $13-15 ($1,300-1,500) if QQQ falls below $610
  • 📉 Max loss: $5-7 ($500-700) if QQQ stays above $630 (insurance premium)
  • 🎯 Breakeven: ~$623-625

Position sizing: Risk only 2-5% of portfolio on hedges. This is insurance, not a directional bet.

Risk level: Low (defined risk, portfolio protection) | Skill level: Beginner-friendly

⚖️ Balanced: Tactical Range-Bound Trade

Play: Iron Condor around implied move expectations

Structure on QQQ:

Why this works:

  • 🎢 Captures elevated IV before tech earnings then benefits from IV crush
  • 📊 Defined risk on both sides ($10 wide = $1,000 max risk per side)
  • 🎯 Strikes outside monthly implied move range ($608.40-$653.54)
  • 💰 Gamma support at $630-$635 and resistance at $640-$650 align with profit zone
  • ⏰ 23 days allows theta decay to work in your favor post-earnings
  • 📈 Profits if QQQ stays between $615-$645 (base case scenario)

Estimated P&L (per iron condor):

  • 💰 Collect ~$4-6 total credit ($400-600 per IC)
  • 📈 Max profit: $4-6 if QQQ between $615-$645 at Nov 21 expiration
  • 📉 Max loss: $6-4 ($600-400) if QQQ breaks outside wings
  • 🎯 Breakeven: ~$610-611 (downside) and ~$649-651 (upside)

Management: Close at 50% profit if achieved quickly. Adjust or close if QQQ approaches wing strikes. Don't be a hero - take profits early.

Risk level: Moderate (defined risk both sides, active management required) | Skill level: Intermediate

🚀 Aggressive: Mirror the Institutional Put Spread (HIGH RISK!)

Play: Buy smaller version of the $590/$555 put spread

Structure on QQQ: Buy $590 puts, Sell $555 puts (March 20, 2026 expiration)

Why this could work:

  • 🐻 Following exact strategy of $317M institutional trade
  • 📊 Strategic timeframe: Captures Q4 earnings, December rebalancing, Q1 2026 results
  • 💰 Limited risk: Maximum loss is net debit paid (unlike naked shorts)
  • 🎯 Betting on 7-13% correction over 5 months (not a crash, just normalization)
  • 📉 Current valuation at all-time highs with elevated AI expectations creates downside asymmetry
  • ⚡ High leverage: 7.7x return possible if QQQ falls to $555

Why this could blow up:

  • 🚀 Time decay enemy: Need QQQ to fall AND do it before March expiration
  • 😱 Tech earnings could exceed expectations, pushing QQQ to $680+
  • 📈 AI monetization proves out sooner than expected, justifying valuations
  • 💰 Fed delivers more cuts, providing sustained tailwind for growth stocks
  • ⏰ Long duration: 142 days of theta decay eating away premium
  • 📊 Going against momentum: QQQ up 24.6% YTD, fighting the trend is dangerous

Estimated P&L (per spread):

  • 💰 Cost: ~$5.93 net debit ($593 per spread at mid-market)
  • 📈 Max profit: $29.07 ($2,907) if QQQ closes below $555 at March expiration
  • 📉 Max loss: $5.93 ($593) if QQQ stays above $590 (lose full premium)
  • 🎯 Breakeven: $584.07 (need 8.1% decline to breakeven)
  • 💎 Profit zone: $555-$590 (12.6% to 7.2% decline)

Position sizing: Risk ONLY 1-3% of speculative capital. This is a hedge/speculation, not a core position.

Management strategy:

  • 📊 Take profits at 50-100% gain if QQQ drops to $600-$610 range
  • ⚠️ Don't be greedy waiting for maximum profit
  • 🔄 Consider rolling down strikes if QQQ breaks $600 support
  • ❌ Cut losses at 50% if QQQ continues to rally above $650

Risk level: HIGH (directional bet against momentum, time decay risk) | Skill level: Advanced only

⚠️ WARNING: DO NOT attempt this trade unless you:

  • Understand options Greeks (delta, theta, gamma) and how they change
  • Can handle losing the full premium if wrong
  • Have experience with long-dated spreads
  • Can actively monitor position through earnings and Fed meetings
  • Recognize you're betting against 24.6% YTD momentum
  • Accept that this is essentially insurance/speculation, not investment

⚠️ Risk Factors

Don't get caught by these potential landmines:

  • ⏰ Major tech earnings THIS WEEK: Results from META and MSFT today, AMZN tomorrow create extreme binary event risk. QQQ could gap 3-5% either direction based on results and guidance. NVDA earnings November 19 is the biggest catalyst as largest holding.

  • 📈 Fighting momentum at all-time highs: QQQ up 24.6% YTD trading at records. History shows betting against strong trends is dangerous. The put spread is a hedge, not a high-conviction short. Attempting bearish trades requires perfect timing and catalyst.

  • 💰 AI spending expectations could be exceeded: If MSFT, META, NVDA demonstrate clear ROI from AI investments, market could re-rate tech higher. $680-700 targets become realistic, making bearish positions extremely painful.

  • 🎪 Multiple major catalysts in next 60 days: Tech earnings (ongoing), Fed meetings, December Nasdaq-100 rebalancing, year-end portfolio positioning. Each event could swing QQQ 2-3%. Impossible to predict how they'll compound.

  • ⚖️ Concentration risk extreme: Top 10 holdings represent 52.34% of QQQ. If NVDA (9.58%), AAPL (8.26%), or MSFT (8.24%) disappoint, entire ETF suffers. Single-stock risk masquerading as diversification.

  • 📊 Gamma pin effect near expiration: As options approach expiration, market makers' hedging can pin price to max pain point. The $635 support shows this effect - dealers holding large options positions will actively defend levels. Could suppress volatility.

  • 💸 Options premium expensive after big move: Implied volatility elevated after 24.6% YTD run. You're paying up for protection. If QQQ just consolidates sideways, put buyers get crushed by theta decay. Time is literally money in options.

  • 🤖 AI bubble narrative: If perception shifts from "AI revolution" to "AI bubble," tech stocks could de-rate violently. However, predicting narrative shifts is nearly impossible. Current data suggests AI spending justified by emerging use cases.

  • 🌐 Fed policy uncertainty: Powell's comment that December cut "not a foregone conclusion" introduces uncertainty. Fewer rate cuts than expected could pressure growth stock valuations. However, Fed also data-dependent - if economy weakens, more cuts possible.

  • 📉 Year-end tax-loss harvesting and rebalancing: December brings forced selling from funds rebalancing and investors harvesting losses. This technical selling pressure could temporarily depress QQQ regardless of fundamentals. Creates noise around December rebalancing.

🎯 The Bottom Line

Real talk: Someone just spent $71.6 MILLION (net) to build a massive bearish hedge on QQQ while the ETF sits at all-time highs after a 24.6% YTD rip. This isn't a crash bet - it's sophisticated risk management from institutional money protecting gains ahead of major uncertainty.

What this trade tells us:

  • 🎯 Large institution expects potential 7-13% correction to $555-$590 range over next 5 months
  • 💰 They're willing to risk $71.6M to potentially make $4.23B (7.7x) if bearish view plays out
  • ⚖️ Structure shows discipline: Limited risk, defined reward, strategic expiration timing
  • 📊 They're not predicting doom - just hedging against normalization after huge AI-driven rally
  • ⏰ March 2026 expiration captures Q4 earnings, December rebalancing, Q1 2026 results - all key catalysts

If you own QQQ or QQQ-heavy tech stocks:

  • ✅ Consider taking partial profits at these levels (up 24.6% YTD, at all-time highs)
  • 📊 Follow smart money: Add modest hedges through protective put spreads
  • ⏰ THIS WEEK IS CRITICAL: META and MSFT earnings today, AMZN tomorrow will set tone
  • 🎯 Strong gamma support at $630-$635 provides some cushion for remaining positions
  • 🛡️ Set mental stops at $620 (major gamma support) to protect YTD gains
  • 💎 If tech earnings exceed expectations and QQQ breaks $650, adjust thesis accordingly

If you're watching from sidelines:

  • ⏰ Wait for tech earnings clarity this week before deploying capital
  • 📊 NVDA earnings November 19 is THE catalyst to watch - sets tone for AI spending ROI narrative
  • 🎯 Pullback to $615-$625 (gamma support zone) would be attractive entry for bulls
  • 📉 For bears: Don't fight momentum without clear catalyst - wait for technical breakdown below $620
  • 💰 December volatility from rebalancing could provide better entry/exit points
  • ⚖️ Base case suggests $600-$640 range - trade the range rather than picking direction

If you're bearish on QQQ:

  • 🎯 This put spread structure is the RIGHT way to express bearish view - defined risk, strategic timing
  • ⚠️ DO NOT short QQQ outright or buy naked puts at these levels (unlimited risk, theta decay)
  • 📊 Wait for technical breakdown: Need to violate $630 support convincingly first
  • 💡 Alternative: Sell call spreads above $650 to collect premium rather than paying for puts
  • ⏰ Patience required: Correction may not come until Q1 2026 after year-end flows settle
  • 📈 Watch NVDA November 19 earnings closely - any disappointment could be catalyst

Mark your calendar - Critical dates:

  • 📅 October 29 (TODAY) after market close - META and MSFT Q3 earnings
  • 📅 October 30 (TOMORROW) after market close - AMZN Q3 earnings
  • 📅 October 31 (Friday) - Weekly options expiration, post-earnings price discovery, Fed rate decision digestion
  • 📅 November 19 - NVIDIA Q3 earnings (BIGGEST catalyst - 9.58% of QQQ!)
  • 📅 November 21 - Monthly OPEX, significant options expiration
  • 📅 December 8 (approx.) - Nasdaq-100 annual rebalancing announcement
  • 📅 December 15 (approx.) - Nasdaq-100 rebalancing implementation
  • 📅 December 19 - Quarterly Triple Witch, massive options expiration
  • 📅 January 2026 - Q1 2026 earnings season begins
  • 📅 March 20, 2026 - Expiration date for this $317M institutional put spread

Final verdict: This is the most sophisticated hedge we've seen all year - $317M in premium deployed with surgical precision. The message is clear: After QQQ's 24.6% rip to all-time highs, institutions are buying insurance. Not predicting a crash, but protecting against a 7-13% normalization. With tech earnings happening THIS WEEK, December rebalancing, and Fed uncertainty, the setup for volatility is there.

Be patient. Respect the trend. Manage risk. This is a market for hedging, not heroes. Follow the smart money's lead - if you have gains, protect them. If you're waiting to enter, let the dust settle from earnings before committing capital. The catalysts (AI monetization, Fed policy, earnings growth) will reveal themselves over the next 5 months. Trade accordingly.

Disclaimer: Options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. This analysis is for educational purposes only and not financial advice. The 118,584x unusual score reflects this specific trade's size relative to recent 30-day history - it does not imply the trade will be profitable or that you should follow it. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. This put spread represents a sophisticated institutional hedge against specific downside scenarios over a 5-month timeframe. Always do your own research, understand the risks of time decay and directional exposure, and consider consulting a licensed financial advisor before trading. Tech earnings and Fed policy decisions create binary event risk with potential for significant gaps either direction.

About Invesco QQQ Trust: Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1, is one of the world's largest and most actively traded ETFs with approximately $402.8 billion in assets, tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index and providing concentrated exposure to 102 of the largest non-financial companies in innovation and technology sectors.