Today’s tickers: DGIT, LTD, EWJ, ETN, AKS, ACLI & AMR
DGIT – DG FastChannel, Inc. – The provider of digital technology services that facilitate electronic delivery of advertisements, syndicated programs and video news releases to various media outlets suffered a 38.5% decline in the value of its shares to an intraday- and new 52-week low of $15.10 today. DGIT’s shares hemorrhaged after the firm revealed that third-quarter revenue will not exceed $53 million, which is substantially less than the average analyst forecast of $61.5 million in sales for the quarter. Investors expecting DG FastChannel’s shares to remain bruised and battered through September expiration sold 1,300 calls at the September $17.5 strike to pocket an average premium of $0.96 apiece. Call sellers keep the premium received on the transaction as long as DGIT’s shares fail to rally above $17.50 by expiration next month. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings ahead of the opening bell of November 4, 2010. In contrast to the near-term bearish trading on the stock today was a covered call enacted in the March 2011 contract by an investor who appears to be positioning for a lengthy recovery period. It looks like the investor sold 2,000 calls at the March 2011 $17.5 strike for premium of $3.30 per contract and purchased 200,000 shares of the underlying stock at $16.60 apiece. The sale of the call options effective reduces the price paid per share to $13.30 each. Thus, the investor is prepared to walk away with maximum gains of 31.6% on the underlying position as long as the calls land in-the-money and the shares are called from him at $17.50 at that time.
LTD – Limited Brands, Inc. – Investors picked up put options on the specialty retailer of women’s apparel, beauty and personal care products, and accessories right out of the gate this morning with the price of the underlying stock slipping as much as 3.00% to an intraday low of $24.20. Limited Brands’ put options are in demand ahead of the firm’s August sales report on Thursday morning, and after July reports showed that personal income rose less than anticipated. Bears expecting LTD’s shares to continue to decline ahead of September expiration purchased approximately 1,900 in-the-money puts at the September $25 strike for an average premium of $1.11 apiece. Put buyers are poised to profit – or realize downside protection should they hold long positions in the underlying stock…
