Hugh L. O'Haynew's
בס״ד
Posted on December 14, 2020
Element Solutions Inc. (NYSE:ESI) is a chemical company with great cash flow whose climb of late has come too far, too fast.
And that cash flow will be necessary to cover the company’s substantial debt.
Just last week, ESI shares jumped better than 7% on guidance, and we believe that’s set the stage for a top.
Element Solutions makes chemicals that enhance the performance of a broad variety of communications equipment, mobile devices and electric vehicles.
So business has been strong during the ‘coronal flare’, as robust demand for electronics and communications infrastructure enhanced ESI’s bottom line.
But whether that justifies the stock’s price action of late is a separate issue.
Fundamentally speaking, the stock is overpriced according to traditional metrics, though not wildly so –
Have a look now at the daily chart –
ESI’s rise in the last six weeks was a phenomenal 42%. And that’s what put her on our radar.
Technically –
Now, take a peek at the weekly chart, where both MACD and RSI looked stretched, and an old fashioned GANN pattern appears to point to a top –
Note well: the 90 degree trough-to-peak turns (in red) are not pure predictors, though they offer strong potential top and bottom stopping points.
Here, too, MAs are bunched in the $11.00/$11.50 range, pointing to a likely decline toward that range.
And it’s for that reason we’ve set up the following –
A Jew and His Money recommends you consider the sale of the ESI May 21st 15.00/17.50 CALL spread for $0.95 (2.20/1.25) and purchase of the ESI May 21st 17.50 PUT for $2.75. Total debit on the trade is $1.80.
Rationale:
The stock is high beta, but the spreads on the options are still relatively tight; and we like that.
With the potential for a substantial percentage decline in the offing, we want to own a PUT for as cheap as possible.
The short CALL spread affords us that.
Max loss would be $4.30 and would occur if the stock closed above $17.50 (difference between the CALL strikes plus initial debit).
Max gain is unlimited.
Breakeven on the trade is $15.35 (while current price is $16.08).
With kind regards,
Hugh L. O’Haynew
« Previous Post
Kicking and Screaming – You Will Know He is G-d.
Leave a Reply