Mastercard (MA) 11/5/09 PriceWatch Alert Shows Bullish Technicals

Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:40 AM EDT

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) closed yesterday at $224.98. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $113.05 and 52-week high of $232.25. Mastercard stock has been showing support around 215.95 and resistance in the 233.31 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives MA a positive 4 STAR (out of 5) buy rating. MA appears on the Investors Observer Volume Leaders list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Jan '10 220 covered call (MAL AD) for a net debit in the $208.98 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 72 day duration, provides 7.11% downside protection and a 5.27% assigned return rate for a 26.73% 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 MA Jan '11 110 Call (ZUE AV) and selling the Jan '10 220 call (MAL AD) for a $101.50 debit. The trade has a 72 day life and would provide 5.99% downside protection and an 8.37% assigned return rate for a 42.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Mastercard has a current annual dividend yield of 0.27%. [THA-Seven Summits Research]

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