Stocks were mixed on Friday and the indices were split in their results. The Nasdaq gained 0.20% to lead the way and the S&P joined it in positive territory with a gain of 0.18%.
The Russell dropped 0.36% as the worst performer and it was joined in the red by the Dow which fell 0.09%. The Dow was much lower in the afternoon, but a rally in the last hour cut the loss significantly.
Seven of the 10 main sectors moved higher on Friday with the utilities sector leading the way with a gain of 0.67%.The tech sector jumped 0.43% and that was the second best performance.
The energy sector took the biggest loss on Friday with a drop of 0.53%.
The consumer discretionary sector fell 0.15% and the industrial sector dropped 0.13% as the other two sectors in the red.
My scans turned more negative on Friday with 51 names on the bearish list and 12 on the bullish side.
The barometer dropped from -12.5 to -21.2 once these results were added in to the equation and the indicator has been in negative territory for five straight days now.
Today’s trade idea is another bearish one and this time it is on General Motors (NYSE: GM). The company’s fundamental ratings aren’t terrible with an EPS rating of 76 and an SMR rating of a C, but I couldn’t help but notice the pattern in the chart.
The daily chart shows how the stock has been trending lower, but it was the pattern in the stochastic indicators that really jumped out at me. We see that the indicators have reached overbought territory three times in the last five months before the last few days. In each case, when the indicators made a bearish crossover the stock fell at least 11%.
Buy to open the March 36-strike puts on GM at $2.00 or better. These options expire on March 20. In order for these options to double the stock will need to drop to $32.00. An 11% drop from the recent high of $35.79 would put the stock at $31.85 and that is below where we need it to be for these options to double. I suggest a target gain of 100% with a stop at $35.80.
— Rick Pendergraft
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