ATVI is one of the best stocks to own in September
Video game titans
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) and
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) could be subject to extra investor attention next week. Per data from Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, the stocks have been two of the biggest gainers on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) in the past six months -- and could be ripe for increased buying activity as the third quarter comes to an end next Friday, due to what's known as "
window dressing."
Plus, both ATVI and EA are trading near historically bullish trendlines. Below, we'll take a closer look at both stocks, and explain why now may be a good time to buy short-term calls on the the video game names.
ATVI Stock Could Be Poised for a Big Bounce
ATVI shares closed higher yesterday on news Comcast bought the Philadelphia team in Activision's Overwatch esports league. However, ATVI stock is down 1% today to trade at $64.38.
Nevertheless, the shares remain up 77.7% year-to-date, and considering the stock is trading within one standard deviation of its 40-day moving average after a lengthy stay north of here, more gains could be on the horizon. According to White, in the 13 previous times this signal has flashed the past three years, ATVI shares have yielded positive one-month returns 83% of the time, averaging a gain of 4.67%.
ATVI's short-term promise is further emboldened by its historical performance in the month of September. The stock is one of the best stocks to own in September, averaging a 4.2% monthly gain over the past 23 years, and finishing positive 65% of the time.
The good news for options traders is that now is an attractive time to buy premium on short-term ATVI options, considering they're pricing in relatively low volatility expectations at the moment. The stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 23% ranks in the 10th annual percentile.
EA Stock Looks To Break Out Again
Electronic Arts stock is down 1.9% to trade at $118.06, and is currently on track to snap a four-day winning streak. It's been an otherwise solid year for EA stock, tacking on 50% so far in 2017, and touching a new record high of $122.79 on Aug. 31.
Since hitting this milestone, EA pulled back to its 40-day moving average, which has been a bullish sign for the shares. According to White, in the 13 previous pullbacks to this trendline over the past three years have yielded positive one-month returns 83% of the time, with an average gain of 6.35% for EA shares.
In the options pits, there has been an overwhelming preference for long puts over calls lately. Data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.11 for EA, which ranks in the 75th percentile of its annual range. A quick bounce for EA could spark an exodus of option bears, which may create tailwinds for the stock.
Options traders looking to bet on EA's short-term trajectory can do so at a relative bargain, too. The stock's SVI of 22% ranks in the 20th percentile of its annual range.