Today’s tickers: SPG, AMR, EEM, MDR, EFA, EWZ, IP & M
SPG Simon Property Group, Inc. – The real estate investment trust (REIT) has experienced a significant rally of more than 9% to $42.16 today and was added to the ‘conviction buy’ list at Goldman Sachs. SPG appeared on our ‘most active by options volume’ market scanner after one investor established a long butterfly spread in the July contract. The purchase of 5,000 puts at the July 20 strike for 90 cents apiece (wing 1) and the purchase of 5,000 puts at the July 40 strike for 6.70 each (wing 2) were spread against the sale of 10,000 puts at the July 30 strike price for a premium of 2.80 per contract (body). The net cost of the transaction amounts to 2.00 (0.90 [wing 1] + 6.70 [wing 2] – (2.80*2 [body]) = 2.00). This investor will gain the maximum potential profit of 8.00 if shares settle at $30.00 by expiration. This strategy implies that he is hoping shares will fall from the current level through the breakeven point located at $38.00, at which point profits begin to amass to the downside. Should shares continue to rally rather than plummet, the most this trader can lose is the 2.00 he paid for the strategy. In order to reel in the full 8.00 of potential profits, shares would need to decline by 29% from the current price.
AMR AMR Corporation – American Airlines parent corporation, AMR, has experienced a huge share price rally as the stock jumped by more than 16% today to $4.90 after the company revealed narrower than expected first-quarter losses. AMR continues to struggle in this recessionary climate, but looks for travel demand to rise by the middle of the year. Option investors welcomed the better-than-expected results and were seen taking bullish stances on the company. At the May 5.0 strike price, 10,800 calls were purchased for an average premium of 70 cents per contract. One investor sold 6,850 puts at the May 4.0 strike price for 30 cents apiece in order to fund the purchase of 6,850 of the calls picked up at the May 5.0 strike. Finally, bullish investors looking to fly higher selected the May 6.0 strike where more than 3,400 calls were coveted for an average premium of 28 cents. Shares would need to continue on the up-and-up and gain another 22% in order for the May 6.0…
