Consider Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) Following the Technical Breakout

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.

Terry

Consider Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) Following the Technical Breakout

Several analysts expect more upside from CDNS, here are two of them – Disney and 4 Other Stock Picks from a Parnassus Fund Manager and Why Should You Retain Cadence Stock in Your Portfolio?

CDNS is seeng breaking higher from a triangle pattern which signals a continuation of the broader uptrend, often with a pick up in upside momentum.  In addition to the technical break, the stock is one of few on the IBD Top 50 List, and in the broader markets for that matter, that is on the verge of breaking to record highs.

CDNS Chart January 2019

*source Tradingview.com

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

Buy To Open CDNS 15FEB19 43 Puts (CDNS190215P43)
Sell To Open CDNS 15FEB19 46 Puts (CDNS190215P46) for a credit of $0.65 (selling a vertical)

This price was $0.02 less than the mid-point of the option spread when CDNS was trading near $47.  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 $62.50 and your broker would charge a $300 maintenance fee, making your investment $237.50 ($300 – $62.50).  If CDNS closes at any price above $46 on February 15, both options would expire worthless, and your return on the spread would be 26% (380% annualized).  Note:  Options on CDNS are fairly illiquid, with large bid-ask spreads.  It would be especially important to place a limit order rather than a market order here.

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

IBD Underlying Updates January 17, 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