Aetna (AET) 10/30/09 PriceWatch Alert With Support Around $25.38

Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 8:34 AM EDT
By: Market Intelligence Center Staff

Aetna (NYSE: AET) closed yesterday at $26.65. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $14.21 and 52-week high of $34.87. Aetna stock has been showing support around 25.38 and resistance in the 27.98 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Neutral and S&P gives AET a neutral 3 STAR (out of 5) hold rating. AET appears on the Investors Observer Volume Leaders list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at an Apr '10 26 covered call (AET DJ) for a net debit in the $23.15 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 169 day duration, provides 13.13% downside protection and a 12.31% assigned return rate for a 26.59% 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 AET Jan '11 15 Call (VLC AC) and selling the Apr '10 26 call (AET DJ) for a $9.65 debit. The trade has a 169 day life and would provide 7.50% downside protection and a 13.99% assigned return rate for a 30.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Aetna has a current annual dividend yield of 0.15%. [FBB-Seven Summits Research]