NRG Energy (NRG) 11/17/09 PriceWatch Alert Targets 21.35% Return

Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:11 AM EDT
By: Market Intelligence Center Staff

NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) closed yesterday at $24.29. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $15.19 and 52-week high of $29.26. NRG Energy stock has been showing support around 23.77 and resistance in the 24.75 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bearish and S&P gives NRG a positive 4 STAR (out of 5) buy rating. NRG appears on the Investors Observer Momentum Plays list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Mar '10 22.50 covered call (NRG CS) for a net debit in the $20.99 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 123 day duration, provides 13.59% downside protection and a 7.19% assigned return rate for a 21.35% 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 NRG Jan '11 10 Call (OBD AB) and selling the Mar '10 22.50 call (NRG CS) for an $11.45 debit. The trade has a 123 day life and would provide 11.69% downside protection and a 9.17% assigned return rate for a 27.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). NRG Energy does not pay dividends at this time. [ATU-Seven Summits Research]