Going Once, Going Twice … Sold on CPRT

Going Once, Going Twice … Sold on CPRT

Copart (CPRT) provides online auction and vehicle remarketing services in the U.S. and several other countries. On Wednesday, the company reported Q4 earnings that easily beat on the top and bottom lines. Used car prices are soaring and CPRT is positioned perfectly to leverage the market. Analysts seem to agree, as CPRT received several target price increases that ranged up to $165 (CPRT closed at $143 on Friday). Despite the positive news, the stock fell as much as 5% on Thursday before closing 2% lower. However, CPRT gained more than a percent on Friday amid a down market.

The stock has been in rally mode since late March, gaining more than 30%. The 50-day moving average has been instrumental in guiding the uptrend, containing pullbacks in May, June and August. The trendline appears to be doing its job again, as it supported this week’s post-earnings drop. This trade is relying on this support holding for the next five weeks as the short 140 put of our credit spread is just below the 50-day.

If you agree that CPRT will stay above the 50-day moving average (red line in chart), consider the following trade that relies on the stock remaining above 140 (blue line in chart) through expiration in five weeks.

Buy to Open CPRT 15Oct 135 put (CPRT211015P135)
Sell to Open CPRT 15Oct 140 put (CPRT211015P140) for a credit of $1.20 (selling a vertical)

This credit is $0.05 less than the mid-point of the option spread when CPRT was trading at $143. Unless the stock rallies quickly from here, you should be able to get close to this amount.

Your commission on this trade will be only $1.30 per spread.  Each spread would then yield $118.70. This trade reduces your buying power by $500 and makes your net investment $381.30 ($500 – $118.70).  If CPRT closes above $140 on October 15, both options will expire worthless and your return on the spread would be 31% ($118.70 / $381.30).