Yum Brands (YUM) PriceWatch Alert for September 8, 2008

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

Yum Brands (NYSE: YUM) ended the last trading session at $36.96. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $30.99 and 52-week high of $41.73. Yum Brands stock has been showing support around 35.63 and resistance in the 37.73 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives YUM a neutral 3 STAR (out of 5) hold rating. YUM appears on the Investors Observer Analysts Favorites list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Jan '09 37.50 covered call (YUM AU) for a net debit in the $34.06 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 131 day duration, provides 7.85% downside protection and a 10.10% assigned return rate for a 28.14% 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 YUM Jan '10 25 Call (WRJ AE) and selling the Jan '09 37.50 call (YUM AU) for a $10.65 debit. The trade has a 131 day life and would provide 3.54% downside protection and a 17.37% assigned return rate for a 48.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Yum Brands has a current annual dividend yield of 2.03%. [For more information on these strategies along with more details on possible risks go to www.iotogo.com/HPWAinfo]