Halliburton (HAL) PriceWatch Alert for September 8, 2008

Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 8:07 AM

Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) ended the last trading session at $39.37. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $30.00 and 52-week high of $55.38. Halliburton stock has been showing support around 37.07 and resistance in the 41.27 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bearish and S&P gives HAL a positive 4 STAR (out of 5) buy rating. HAL appears on the Investors Observer Analysts Favorites list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Jan '09 40 covered call (HAL AH) for a net debit in the $35.92 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 131 day duration, provides 8.76% downside protection and an 11.36% assigned return rate for a 31.65% 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 HAL Jan '10 20 Call (WHW AD) and selling the Jan '09 40 call (HAL AH) for a $16.50 debit. The trade has a 131 day life and would provide 7.29% downside protection and a 21.21% assigned return rate for a 59.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Halliburton has a current annual dividend yield of 0.84%. [For more information on these strategies along with more details on possible risks go to www.iotogo.com/HPWAinfo]