This Mondelez (MDLZ) Trade Targets a 100% Return in Eight Weeks

Stocks were mixed on Tuesday and that led to split results from the four indices. The Russell moved up 0.37% and the Nasdaq gained 0.24% while the S&P fell 0.06% and the Dow dropped 0.36%.

The sectors were slightly skewed to the downside with six moving lower and four moving higher. The biggest move of the day was a decline of 1.48% by the energy sector and that was due to a 3.28% drop in oil prices. The consumer discretionary sector dropped 1.08% and was the only other sector to lose more than 1%.

[hana-code-insert name=’adsense-article’ /]On the plus side, the healthcare sector gained 0.67% to lead the way while the tech sector edged up 0.19%.

My scans moved a little further to bearish side on Tuesday with 42 names on the bearish list and 11 on the bullish list.

The barometer dropped from -0.9 to -13.4 once these results were added in to the equation.

After four straight bullish trade ideas, I have a bearish trade idea for you today.

Mondelez International (Nasdaq: MDLZ) appeared on the bearish list last night and it has mixed fundamental ratings. The EPS rating is slightly above average at 68, but the SMR rating is average with a C rating.

We see on the chart that the stock has been trending lower over the last month and a half with a trend channel forming. The stock has just hit the upper rail of the channel and looks to be turning lower. The stochastic readings were in overbought territory and made a bearish crossover last night.

Buy to open the January 55-strike puts on MDLZ at $2.85 or better. These options expire on January 17. In order for these options to double the stock will need to drop to $49.30. The stock will need to drop to a new six month low for our target to be hit, but I believe it can get there. I suggest a target gain of 100% with a stop at $53.50.

— Rick Pendergraft

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Rick Pendergraft, Trades Of The Day

Rick Pendergraft has been studying, trading, analyzing and writing about the investment markets for over 30 years. He has worked for some of the largest financial publishers in the world and he has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Times and the Washington Post. In addition, he has been interviewed on Bloomberg, CNBC and Fox Business News. Rick's analysis process includes fundamental, sentiment and technical analysis.