Monthly Archives: January 2020

Netflix (NFLX) Shows Renewed Upward Momentum

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.

Netflix, a recent addition to the IBD Top 50 list, has shown strong bullish momentum despite a brief dip following its recent earnings report. The following article highlights some of the positive takeaways from the earnings report – 6 Critical Takeaways Learned From Netflix’s Q4 Earnings Report. Also, take a look at this recent CNBC article which includes details of a price target upgrade and a video interview with Mark Cuban – Netflix stock climbed more than 7%, its best day of trading for the year.

Technicals

The strongest signal from NFLX comes from a bullish breach above $336 which was an important price point in 2019. But more important is the manner in which the stock did so. There was an initial dip lower following the earnings report, which might have spooked investors, that followed with a momentum-driven rally. This type of price action often occurs when the market participants are searching for liquidity to establish large bullish positions. It holds especially true during earnings releases as trading volumes tend to be elevated. Further, the stock once again trades comfortably above its 100-week moving average which has been an important indicator in the past. The next major level of interest to the upside is $374 while $336 is expected to support any near-term dips.

NFLX Chart January 2020

NFLX Chart January 2020

If you agree there’s further upside ahead for NFLX, 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 NFLX 28FEB20 350 Puts (NFLX200228P350)
Sell To Open NFLX 28FEB20 352.5 Puts (NFLX200228P352.5) for a credit of $1.13 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when NFLX was trading near $353.  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 $1.30 per spread.  Each contract would then yield $111.70 and your broker would charge a $250 maintenance fee, making your investment $138.30 ($250 – $111.70).  If NFLX closes at any price above $352.50 on February 28, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 81% (924% annualized).

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

IBD Underlying Updates January 25, 2020

IBD Underlying Updates January 25, 2020

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

Making 36%

Making 36% – A Duffer's Guide to Breaking Par in the Market Every Year in Good Years and Bad

This book may not improve your golf game, but it might change your financial situation so that you will have more time for the greens and fairways (and sometimes the woods).

Learn why Dr. Allen believes that the 10K Strategy is less risky than owning stocks or mutual funds, and why it is especially appropriate for your IRA.

Order Now

Success Stories

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.

~ John Collins

L3 Harris Technologies (LHX) Breaks to Record Highs, What’s Next?

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.

LHX has received positive media coverage as of late. The IBD recently wrote an article naming the company its stock of the day and it has since rallied to trigger IBD’s buy point. Meanwhile, Zack’s has included the stock as part of their list of 4 defense stocks they think will do really well in 2020.

Technicals

Two notable technical developments are seen in the daily chart for L3 Harris Technologies. First, the stock has broken higher from a bullish flag pattern that had encompassed prices from September until late January. The second technical development that offers a bullish signal is the break above $215 resistance. This level is considered significant as it held the stock lower on multiple attempts in August and September. Further, the stock trades at an all-time high after breaking above the horizontal level.

LHX Chart January 2020 vertical options spread

LHX Chart January 2020

If you agree there’s further upside ahead for LHX, 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 LHX 21FEB20 210 Puts (LHX200221P210)
Sell To Open LHX 21FEB20 220 Puts (LHX200221P220) for a credit of $3.78 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when LHX was trading near $220.  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 $1.30 per spread.  Each contract would then yield $376.70 and your broker would charge a $1000 maintenance fee, making your investment $623.30 ($1000 – $376.70).  If LHX closes at any price above $220 on February 21, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 60% (684% annualized).

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

IBD Underlying Updates January 18, 2020

IBD Underlying Updates January 18, 2020

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

Making 36%

Making 36% – A Duffer's Guide to Breaking Par in the Market Every Year in Good Years and Bad

This book may not improve your golf game, but it might change your financial situation so that you will have more time for the greens and fairways (and sometimes the woods).

Learn why Dr. Allen believes that the 10K Strategy is less risky than owning stocks or mutual funds, and why it is especially appropriate for your IRA.

Order Now

Success Stories

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.

~ John Collins

Copart (CPRT) Eyes $100 Price Point

Copart is a momentum stock that has caught the eyes of many analysts, here are two of them – Why Copart (CPRT) Stock Might be a Great Pick and Why Do 123 A+ Funds Have A Stake In This Breakout IBD 50 Stock?

Technicals

The main appeal to CPRT from a technical perspective is its upward momentum on the larger time frames. Over the last year, the stock has only posted one monthly loss and that loss was a small one compared to typical monthly ranges. Pullbacks have been shallow and buyers are quick to pick this stock up on dips. A horizontal level is in play at $91 that acted as resistance from mid-November until the break higher two weeks ago. The upward break suggests bullish a continuation and the psychological $100 price point may act as a magnet for this stock.

CPRT Chart January 2020

CPRT Chart January 2020

If you agree there’s further upside ahead for CPRT, 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 CPRT 21FEB20 90 Puts (CPRT200221P90)
Sell To Open CPRT 21FEB20 95 Puts (CPRT200221P95) for a credit of $1.63 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when CPRT was trading near $95.  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 $1.30 per spread.  Each contract would then yield $161.70 and your broker would charge a $500 maintenance fee, making your investment $338.30 ($500 – $161.70).  If CPRT closes at any price above $95 on February 21, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 48% (449% annualized).

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

IBD Underlying Updates January 11, 2020

IBD Underlying Updates January 11, 2020

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

Making 36%

Making 36% – A Duffer's Guide to Breaking Par in the Market Every Year in Good Years and Bad

This book may not improve your golf game, but it might change your financial situation so that you will have more time for the greens and fairways (and sometimes the woods).

Learn why Dr. Allen believes that the 10K Strategy is less risky than owning stocks or mutual funds, and why it is especially appropriate for your IRA.

Order Now

Success Stories

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.

~ John Collins

Salesforce.com (CRM) Shows Renewed Upward Momentum

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.

Salesforce.com is an outperformer and its stock is poised for an upside breakout. Take a look at the following two articles for details – Has salesforce.com (CRM) Outpaced Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year? and Salesforce.com Is Ready for an Upside Breakout.

Technicals

CRM has broken higher from a large bullish flag pattern that was six months in the making. The stock broke higher in November, and in the past week, it posted a series of higher highs and higher lows above the flag pattern to confirm the trend reversal. The stock is holding within a bullish trend channel and strong support is found near the lower bound of the channel as the 20-day moving average resides near it to create a confluence.

Salesforce (CRM) Chart January 2020 showing upward momentum

CRM Chart January 2020

If you agree there’s further upside ahead for CRM, 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 CRM 07FEB20 162.5 Puts (CRM200207P162.5)
Sell To Open CRM 07FEB20 165 Puts (CRM200207P165) for a credit of $0.92 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when CRM was trading near $166.  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 $1.30 per spread.  Each contract would then yield $90.70 and your broker would charge a $250 maintenance fee, making your investment $159.30 ($250 – $90.70).  If CRM closes at any price above $165 on February 7, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 57% (650% annualized).

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

IBD Underlying Updates January 4, 2020

IBD Underlying Updates January 4, 2020

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

Making 36%

Making 36% – A Duffer's Guide to Breaking Par in the Market Every Year in Good Years and Bad

This book may not improve your golf game, but it might change your financial situation so that you will have more time for the greens and fairways (and sometimes the woods).

Learn why Dr. Allen believes that the 10K Strategy is less risky than owning stocks or mutual funds, and why it is especially appropriate for your IRA.

Order Now

Success Stories

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.

~ John Collins