Will Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Continue to Outperform Its Sector?

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.  The actual Terry’s Tips portfolio that trades these ideas of the week has gained 148% in the first two months of 2019.  Of course, past results are not always duplicated in the future, but we like our chances here.

Terry

Will Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Continue to Outperform Its Sector?

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) has been a long-term performer, see what these two analysts have to say about the company moving forward – Why I Like Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Stock Outpacing Its Medical Peers This Year?

The main technical appeal to REGN is its ability to hold above a horizontal level near $410 that held the stock lower late last year.  The level is now seen as strong support and recent price action seems to support that as a dip following their recent earnings report was bought up near the level.  There is some confluence at the price point as the 50-Monthly moving average is slightly above it.  The stock trades within a rising trend channel that originates from a low in May last year and the upper bound of the channel currently falls around $450-$460.

REGN Chart February 2019

*source Tradingview.com

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

Buy To Open REGN 29MAR19 417.5 Puts (REGN190329P417.5)
Sell To Open REGN 29MAR19 420 Puts (REGN190329P420) for a credit of $1.18 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when REGN was trading near $423.  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 $115.50 and your broker would charge a $250 maintenance fee, making your investment $134.50 ($250 – $115.50).  If REGN closes at any price above $420 on March 29, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 86% (981% annualized).

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

IBD Underlying Updates February 21, 2019

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