Synchrony Financial (SYF) Gets a Boost From its Latest Earnings Report

Synchrony Financial rallied to a two-month high in the past week and several analysts think it can continue higher. Here is what the IBD had to say about the stock – This GE Spinoff Nears Buy Point On Strong Earnings. Also take a look at the following article which discusses Warren Buffett’s stake in the company – Here is What Hedge Funds Think About Synchrony Financial (SYF).

SYF recently regained both its 50 and 100 day moving averages which signals the broader bullish trend has potentially restarted. Of the two, the 100-day moving average was particularly strong resistance throughout September. For this reason, the indicator is now seen as strong support on near-term dips. The break above the 100-day moving average also means a break above the September high which in turn has set a successions of higher highs and higher lows. Another way to look at it is as a range breakout since the stock was essentially consolidating sideways above its 200-week moving average for the past two months or so.

SYF Chart October 2019

If you agree there’s further upside ahead for SYF, consider this trade which is a bet that the stock will continue to advance over the next five weeks, or at least a little bit.

Buy To Open SYF 22NOV19 31.5 Puts (SYF191122P31.5)
Sell To Open SYF 22NOV19 34.5 Puts (SYF191122P34.5) for a credit of $0.93 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when SYF was trading near $34.50.  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 $91.70 and your broker would charge a $300 maintenance fee, making your investment $208.30 ($300 – $91.70).  If SYF closes at any price above $34.50 on November 22, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 44% (502% annualized).

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

IBD Underlying Updates October 19, 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