Agilent Technologies Inc. (A) PriceWatch Alert for November 19, 2009

Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:43 AM EDT
By: Market Intelligence Center Staff

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) closed yesterday at $29.46. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $12.02 and 52-week high of $29.71. Agilent stock has been showing support around 29.01 and resistance in the 29.73 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives A a positive 4 STAR (out of 5) buy rating. A appears on the Investors Observer Volume Leaders list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a May '10 25 covered call (A EE) for a net debit in the $23.91 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has an 184 day duration, provides 18.84% downside protection and a 4.56% assigned return rate for a 9.04% 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 A Jan '11 15 Call (OAE AC) and selling the May '10 25 call (A EE) for a $9.25 debit. The trade has an 184 day life and would provide 17.68% downside protection and an 8.11% assigned return rate for a 16.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Agilent does not pay dividends at this time. [THA-Seven Summits Research]