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Will Growth Prospects Keep Mastercard (MA) Bid?

This week we are looking at another of the Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) Top 50 List companies.  We use this list in one of our options portfolios to spot outperforming stocks and place option spreads that take advantage of the momentum.

Terry

Will Growth Prospects Keep Mastercard (MA) Bid?

Mastercard has had some positive news coverage as of late, take a look at these two articles – Visa & Mastercard: Strong Growth and Dividend Hike Opportunities? And IBD Stock Of The Day Master Shows Strength – And Gives This Market Warning.

As outlined by one of the above articles, MA is currently facing it’s 200-Day moving average.  Althought the article points out that the stock technically trades below it, there does not seem to be enough evidence of a clear break, or that bears have taken control.  The stock has held above a horizontal level found near $193 found close to the moving average that has acted as both support and resistance on several occasions since May.  Dips below this confluence area of support in the recent past have been short-lived, as seen on a monthly chart, where the stock has managed to hold above $197 on a monthly close basis.

MA Chart December 2018

MA Chart December 2018

*source Tradingview.com

If you agree there’s further upside ahead for MA, consider this trade which is a bet that the stock will continue to advance over the next six weeks, or at least not decline very much.

Buy To Open MA 25JAN18 190 Puts (MA190125P190)
Sell To Open MA 25JAN18 192.5 Puts (MA190125P192.5) for a credit of $1.10 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when MA was trading near $195.  Unless the stock rallies quickly from here, you should be able to get close to this amount.

Your commission on this trade will only be $2.50 per spread (the rate charged by thinkorswim for Terry’s Tips’ subscribers).  Each contract would then yield $107.50 and your broker would charge a $250 maintenance fee, making your investment $142.50 ($250 – $107.50).  If MA closes at any price above $192.5 on January 25, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 75% (702% annualized).

Changes to Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) Top 50 This Week:

IBD Underlying Updates December 13, 2018

IBD Underlying Updates December 13, 2018

We have found that the Investor’s Business Daily Top 50 List has been a reliable source of stocks that are likely to move higher in the short run.  Recent additions to the list might be particularly good choices for this strategy, and deletions might be good indicators for exiting a position that you might already have on that stock.

As with all investments, you should only make option trades with money that you can truly afford to lose.

Happy trading,

Terry

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I have been trading the equity markets with many different strategies for over 40 years. Terry Allen's strategies have been the most consistent money makers for me. I used them during the 2008 melt-down, to earn over 50% annualized return, while all my neighbors were crying about their losses.

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