PepsiCo (PEP) Could Break 52-Week High Today

Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:18 AM EDT
By: Market Intelligence Center Staff

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) closed yesterday at $62.60. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $45.39 and 52-week high of $62.94. PepsiCo stock has been showing support around 61.82 and resistance in the 63.02 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives PEP a neutral 3 STAR (out of 5) hold rating. PEP appears on the Investors Observer Analysts Favorites list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at an Apr '10 65 covered call (PEP DM) for a net debit in the $60.85 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 150 day duration, provides 2.80% downside protection and a 6.82% assigned return rate for a 16.60% 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 PEP Jan '11 50 Call (VP AJ) and selling the Apr '10 65 call (PEP DM) for an $11.75 debit. The trade has a 150 day life and would provide 1.36% downside protection and a 27.66% assigned return rate for a 67.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). PepsiCo has a current annual dividend yield of 2.91%. [WBA-Seven Summits Research]