Dow Chemical (DOW) 11/12/09 PriceWatch Alert Up To 13.85% Downside Protection

Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:05 AM EDT
By: Market Intelligence Center Staff

Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) closed yesterday at $26.71. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $5.89 and 52-week high of $27.39. Dow Chemical stock has been showing support around 25.74 and resistance in the 27.34 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives DOW a neutral 3 STAR (out of 5) hold rating. DOW appears on the Investors Observer Analysts Favorites list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Mar '10 25 covered call (NZA CY) for a net debit in the $23.01 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 128 day duration, provides 13.85% downside protection and an 8.65% assigned return rate for a 24.66% 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 DOW Jan '11 10 Call (VDO AB) and selling the Mar '10 25 call (NZA CY) for a $13.05 debit. The trade has a 128 day life and would provide 13.70% downside protection and a 14.94% assigned return rate for a 43.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Dow Chemical has a current annual dividend yield of 2.32%. [THA-Seven Summits Research]