Norfolk Southern (NSC) PriceWatch Alert Technicals Showing Bullish

Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:07 AM

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) closed yesterday at $69.91. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $41.36 and 52-week high of $75.53. Norfolk Southern stock has been showing support around 64.92 and resistance in the 72.86 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives NSC a positive 4 STAR (out of 5) buy rating. NSC appears on the Investors Observer Volume Leaders list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Dec '08 65 covered call (NSC LM) for a net debit in the $60.61 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 128 day duration, provides 13.30% downside protection and a 7.24% assigned return rate for a 20.65% annualized return rate (comparison purposes only). A lower cost hedged play for this stock would use a longer term call option in place of the covered call stock purchase. To use this strategy look at going long the NSC Jan '09 55 Call (NSC AK) and selling the Dec '08 65 call (NSC LM) for an $8.00 debit. The trade has a 128 day life and would provide 9.88% downside protection and a 25.00% assigned return rate for a 71.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Norfolk Southern has a current annual dividend yield of 1.74%. [For more information on these strategies along with more details on possible risks go to www.iotogo.com/HPWAinfo]