Month: February 2011

NOA is involved in oil drilling. With the tensions in the Middle East heating up any company that is involved in oil may experience a bounce.  NOA didn’t have a good quarter due to some project delays that ate into revenue.  They could still be a good technical play.

The Weekly chart shows multiple tops near 12.70  A break above 12.80 could go for an extended run.  Multiple tops are usually bearish so it would not be a good idea to jump in without confirmation.  A buy stop above 12.80 might be a good entry. 

Nordstrom has been doing very well lately and should continue to rise.

Nordstrom closed Friday at 46.15.  We have prior resistance at 44 which is now support.  It could run up to 50 if earnings go well.

One thing we can try to do is a long call vertical.

Buy March 46 Call 1.96 Debit
Sell March 49 Call .76 Credit

Total cost is 1.15

Since previous support is 44 we could also sell a Put below it.  We will go with the March 43 which is about 7% lower than the current price.

Sell  March 43 PUT .86

Total Cost is now .27
On one contract we will pay $27 for the opportunity to make $270 which is 10x our pay out.

The downside is that we may have to buy the stock at 43 no matter how far it falls, but Nordstrom isn’t going to zero tomorrow.  If we get an option assignment then we can start selling covered calls to make some revenue from the trade.

Allis-Chalmers Energy is setting up a Symmetrical Triangle. This could break to the upside or the downside.  The 50, 100, & 200 SMA are in an uptrend.  Setting an alert or Buy Stop at 7.76 (above the high on 2/3 and 2/4) could be a good entry strategy. Alert or Sell Stop below 7.49 could also work.