Brent Archer
Virginia, US - http://www.investorsobserver.com
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
LDK Solar (LDK) drops despite new Japanese deal
LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK - option chain) shares are falling today despite the company's announcement of an eight-year contract with Japan's Sumitomo Corp. to supply solar cell parts. Under the deal, LDK will supply about 750 megawatts of multicrystalline silicon wafers to Sumitomo. However, most solar stocks are dropping today as crude oil futures are lower again at $106, and almost dipped below $105 earlier this morning. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on LDK.This morning, LDK opened at $45.57. So far today the stock has hit a low of $41.70 and a high of $45.57. As of 12:20, LDK is trading at $43.20, down $2.78 (-6.0%). The chart for LDK looks neutral and S&P gives LDK a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an October bear-call credit spread above the $60 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in 6 weeks as long as LDK is below $60 at October expiration. LDK would have to rise by more than 38% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
BIG hasn't been above $35 at all inthe past year and has shown resistance around $34.90 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in LDK.
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) same store sales disappoint again
Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF - option chain) shares are dropping sharply today after the company reported an 11% drop in August same-store sales when analysts had been expecting a 7.9% decrease. Last month, July sales disappointed investors and we pointed out a potential trade with an annualized return over 35%. That trade is still looking good for expiration in two weeks. Today, we have another similar trade idea if you missed out on the last one and still think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming monthsThis morning, ANF opened at $51.39. So far today the stock has hit a low of $50.87 and a high of $53.00. As of 12:00, ANF is trading at $51.29, down $3.42 (-6.2%). The chart for ANF looked slightly bullish before today and S&P gives ANF a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a November bear-call credit spread above the $65 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in eleven weeks as long as ANF is below $65 at November expiration. Abercrombie would have to rise by more than 25% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
ANF hasn't been above $35 since June and has shown resistance around $55 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in ANF.
Corning (GLW) tanks on lowered forecast
Corning (NYSE: GLW - option chain) shares are nose-diving today after the company reduced its third-quarter earnings forecast to a range of 43 to 45 cents a share, from a previous estimate of 48 to 51 cents per share, while analysts were looking for earnings of 49 cents per share. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on GLW.This morning, GLW opened at $17.74. So far today the stock has hit a low of $17.41 and a high of $18.20. As of 12:30, GLW is trading at $17.49, down $2.01 (-10.3%). The chart for GLW looked bullish before today and S&P gives GLW a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a January bear-call credit spread above the $22.50 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in 4 and a half months as long as GLW is below $22.50 at January expiration. Corning would have to rise by more than 28% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
Continue reading Corning (GLW) tanks on lowered forecast
General Electric (GE) likely to hold onto NBC - Vivendi CEO
General Electric (NYSE: GE - option chain) shares are soaring higher today due to a number of factors such as sinking oil futures, but also on comments from Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy. Levy said in an interview with the Financial Times that he has heard GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt say several times both privately and publicly that GE has no intention of selling its 80% of NBC Universal. Levy may have more information that the average investor on this matter since Vivendi owns the remaining 20% of NBC. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on NBC.GE opened this morning at $28.54. So far today the stock has hit a low of $28.53 and a high of $29.10. As of 12:25, GE is trading at $29.10, up $0.94 (3.4%). The chart for GE looks bullish and S&P gives GE a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a December bull-put credit spread below the $24 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 9.9% return in just three and a half months as long as GE is above $24 at December expiration. GE would have to fall by more than 17% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
Continue reading General Electric (GE) likely to hold onto NBC - Vivendi CEO
Phillip Morris Int'l (PM) increases dividend
Phillip Morris International (NYSE: PM - option chain) shares are relatively flat today in the face of a bearish market as the company announced it will raise its regular quarterly dividend to 54 cents. As long as they pay that dividend quarterly, then this makes a tidy 4% yield.If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on PM that can take advantage of that dividend.PM opened this morning at $53.76. So far today the stock has hit a low of $53.66 and a high of $54.46. As of 12:35, PM is trading at $53.96, up 4 cents(0.1%). The chart for PM looks bullish and S&P gives PM a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a March covered call at the $60 level. A covered call is an options position that combines the purchase of stock with the sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.4% return in 7 months if PM is above $60 at March expiration. But unlike our normal credit spread trades, that is not the goal here. This position turns out strictly better than buying and holding the stock if it is below $61.25 at March expiration, and it makes a reasonable return in the unlikely event that the stock rises to that level. Plus, you can probably expect to catch at least two dividend payments over that time. We get about 2% of downside protection on this pretty stable stock by using a covered call. Learn more about this type of trade here.
PM has shown support just below $54 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in PM.
Mobile Telesystems (MBT) soars on $452M buyback plan
Mobile Telesystems (NASDAQ: MBT - option chain) shares are soaring higher today after the company announced its board approved buying back 11.1 billion rubles ($452 million) worth of shares. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on MBT.MBT opened this morning at $68.18. So far today the stock has hit a low of $67.55 and a high of $70.54. As of 12:35, MBT is trading at $69.22, up $3.08 (4.7%). The chart for MBT looks neutral and S&P gives MBT a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a September bull-put credit spread below the $60 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in just three weeks as long as MBT is above $60 at September expiration. MBT would have to fall by more than 13% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
MBT hasn't been below $60 at all in the past year and has shown support around $64 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in MBT.
Has housing bottomed? Mortgage data lifts Toll Brothers (TOL), others
Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL - option chain) shares are soaring higher today after weekly mortgage data came out this morning that showed applications rose last week. This after yesterday's mixed numbers for new home sales caused at least one celebrity stock analyst to call a bottom in housing. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on TOL.TOL opened this morning at $22.42. So far today the stock has hit a low of $22.33 and a high of $23.43. As of 12:15, TOL is trading at $23.43, up $1.10 (4.5%). The chart for TOL looks bullish and S&P gives TOL a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an October bull-put credit spread below the $17.50 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in just seven weeks as long as TOL is above $17.50 at October expiration. Toll would have to fall by more than 25% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
Continue reading Has housing bottomed? Mortgage data lifts Toll Brothers (TOL), others
Big Lots (BIG) drops on soft sales outlook
Big Lots (NYSE: BIG - option chain) shares are diving today despite reporting an 11% increase in second-quarter profit. The company posted earnings of 32 cents per share on sales of $1.1 billion, while analysts expected 27 cents per share on revenue of $1.1 billion. However, it warned that same store sales may not grow too much in the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on BIG.This morning, BIG opened at $32.56. So far today the stock has hit a low of $30.21 and a high of $32.60. As of 12:45, BIG is trading at $31.69, down $1.37 (-4.1%). The chart for BIG looks neutral and S&P gives BIG a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a September bear-call credit spread above the $35 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in 4 weeks as long as BIG is below $35 at September expiration. Big Lots would have to rise by more than 11% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
Continue reading Big Lots (BIG) drops on soft sales outlook
Casual dining outlets may see Olympic slowdown
Brinker International (NYSE: EAT - option chain) shares are headed lower today. Last week, an analyst expressed concerns about potential weakness in the casual dining sector due to families that may have stayed home to watch Olympic coverage rather than going out for dinner. Today, there is some weakness throughout the sector, on stocks like Darden (NYSE: DRI) and Cheescake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) as well. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on EAT.This morning, EAT opened at $19.34. So far today the stock has hit a low of $18.87 and a high of $19.41. As of 12:15, EAT is trading at $18.95, down 62 cents (-3.2%). The chart for EAT looks neutral and S&P gives EAT a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an October bear-call credit spread above the $22.50 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in two months as long as EAT is below $22.50 at October expiration. Brinker would have to rise by more than 18% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
EAT hasn't been above $22.50 since May and has shown resistance around $21 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in EAT, DRI, or CAKE.
Foot Locker (FL) reports healthy Q2 earnings
Foot Locker (NYSE: FL - option chain) shares are soaring higher today after the company announced yesterday evening that it earned a second-quarter profit of $18 million, or 11 cents per share and well above estimates of 3 cents. Other retail earnings this morning were a mixed bag, as Gap (NYSE: GPS) and Jones Apparel (NYSE: JNY) are rising while Pacific Sunwear (NASDAQ: PSUN) is tanking. This makes me think that the retail sector may not trade as a block for the next few months, but rather on the individual merits of each stock. If you think that FL stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on the stock.FL opened this morning at $16.40. So far today the stock has hit a low of $14.93 and a high of $16.50. As of 12:05, FL is trading at $15.57, up 0.29 (1.9%). The chart for FL looks neutral and S&P gives FL a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a January bull-put credit spread below the $10 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in five months as long as FL is above $10 at January expiration. Foot Locker would have to fall by more than 35% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
FL hasn't been below $9 at all and hasn't been below $10 for more than a few days in the past year. It has shown support around $14 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in FL.
Burger King (BK) falls after Q4 earnings on disappointing margins
Burger King (NYSE: BKC - option chain) shares are falling today after posting a fourth-quarter profit of $51 million, or 37 cents per share, beating analysts' estimates of 34 cents per share. However, BKC shares are falling this morning after the company reported its total restaurant margins decreased to 13.1 percent in the quarter, hurt largely by higher commodity costs like more expensive beef and chicken. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on BKC or other similar stocks like MCD or YUM.This morning, BKC opened at $27.29. So far today the stock has hit a low of $25.17 and a high of $27.29. As of 12:21, BKC is trading at $26.03, down $1.42 (-5.2%). The chart for BKC looks neutral and S&P gives BKC a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an October bear-call credit spread above the $30 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 7.5% return in three months as long as BKC is below $30 at October expiration. Burger King would have to rise by more than 15% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
BKC hasn't been above $30 for more than a few days out of the past year and has shown resistance around $29 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in BKC.
BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ) drops despite strong earnings
BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ - option chain) shares are falling today despite reporting second-quarter profit that beat estimates and announcing a share buyback. This is possibly because discretionary item spending slowed. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on BJ or similar companies like COST.This morning, BJ opened at $38.60. So far today the stock has hit a low of $37.11 and a high of $38.98. As of 12:45, BJ is trading at $37.99, down $2.69 (-6.6%). The chart for BJ looks neutral and S&P gives BJ a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an October bear-call credit spread above the $45 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 7.5% return in two months as long as BJ is below $45 at October expiration. BJ's would have to rise by more than 18% before we would start to lose money.
BJ hasn't been above $45 at all in the past year and has shown resistance around $43 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in BJ.
Saks (SKS) tumbles on Q2 losses
Saks (NYSE: SKS - option chain) shares are falling today after the company reported second-quarter losses of $31.7 million, or $0.23 a share, this morning, less than analysts' estimates of -0.17. The company also forecast lower operating margins. If high-end retailers are hurting, then there is definitely some behavior of the average American consumer that is changing as well. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on SKS.This morning, SKS opened at $10.60. So far today the stock has hit a low of $9.60 and a high of $10.61. As of 12:10, SKS is trading at $9.92, down $1.30 (-11.6%). The chart for SKS looks neutral while S&P gives SKS a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a November bear-call credit spread above the $12.50 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 11.1% return in three months as long as SKS is below $12.50 at November expiration. Saks would have to rise by more than 26% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
SKS hasn't been above $120 since late June and has shown resistance around $12 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in SKS.
Broadcom (BRCM) lifted by Barron's coverage
Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM - option chain) shares are moving higher today after an article in Barron's over the weekend said the stock could rise as much as 40 percent as the chipmaker enters the market for smartphones. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on BRCM.BRCM opened this morning at $28.23. So far today the stock has hit a low of $27.76 and a high of $28.39. As of 12:20, BRCM is trading at $27.86, up 40 cents(1.5%). The chart for BRCM looks bullish and S&P gives BRCM a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a November bull-put credit spread below the $20 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 13.6% return in just three months as long as BRCM is above $20 at November expiration. Broadcom would have to fall by more than 27% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
BRCM hasn't been below $20 since April and has shown support around $23 recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in BRCM.
SunPower (SPWR) shoots higher on PG&E deal
SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR - option chain) shares are soaring higher today after Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said it has chosen SPWR to supply up to 800 megawatts of renewable energy. On the news, an analyst at Merrill Lynch also upgraded SPWR to "Buy" from "Hold." If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on SPWR.SPWR opened this morning at $87.64. So far today the stock has hit a low of $87.57 and a high of $93.93. As of 12:55, SPWR is trading at $93.26, up $14.69 (18.7%). The chart for SPWR looks neutral and S&P gives SPWR a 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a December bull-put credit spread below the $55 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think, but willstill leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 11.1% return in just four months as long as SPWR is above $55 at December expiration. Sunpower would have to fall by more than 40% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
SPWR hasn't been below $55 since March and has shown support around $71 recently. With the way the political climate is shaping up, it looks like some form of solar power should be here for quite a while.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in SPWR.
The week in preview: Chicken soup (or a doughnut) for the recession-weary soul?
Comfort Zone Investing: Oil's down, which is a start, but not good enough
Stocks have their worst week in six years
