Recent pullbacks for OTEX and TDC stocks could present buying opportunities
Tech stocks have been on a tear lately, with the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) and its exchange-traded fund (ETF) affiliates hitting record highs, led by titans like
Apple stock and Facebook. However, it's not too late to get in on the sector rally, if you look hard enough. In fact, two tech stocks sending up "buy" signals are software maker
Open Text Corp (USA) (NASDAQ:OTEX) and analytics services provider
Teradata Corporation (NYSE:TDC). Below, we'll take a look at OTEX and TDC shares, and explain why now could be an opportune time to buy short-term options.
OTEX Stock Pullback Presents Buying Opportunity
Open Text stock took a hit last week, after the company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings. As such, the shares breached their lower Bollinger Band -- one of the
best "buy" signals of 2016. The stock is also now testing its 200-day moving average, which helped contain dips in the fourth quarter. Against this backdrop -- and considering OTEX's sentiment backdrop, which we'll get into shortly -- now could be an opportune time to get in on the stock's longer-term rally. In fact, OTEX stock has rallied roughly 77% since its 2015 lows, touching an all-time high of $35.21 in late April.
Short interest on Open Text Corp has been dwindling, down 1.1% during the most recent reporting period, but there are still plenty of shorts that could be squeezed. With close to 6.3 million OTEX shares dedicated to short interest, it would take these bears more than three weeks to buy back their positions, at the stock's average pace of trading.
For traders anticipating short-term upside for Open Text stock, now is a great time to buy short-term options. Following the post-earnings volatility crush, the equity's
Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 20% is lower than 98% of all other readings from the past year, pointing to historically attractive near-term option premiums right now.
TDC Stock Testing Multiple Layers of Support
Teradata stock suffered a similar fate as OTEX, gapping lower in late April in the wake of a poorly received earnings report. However, TDC stock seems to have found support in the $28-$29 neighborhood, home to its 320-day moving average, as well as a trendline connecting TDC's higher lows since early 2016. In fact, since its 2016 lows, Teradata has advanced about 33%. Further, the aforementioned earnings gap sent TDC stock below its lower Bollinger Band, and there's plenty of sideline cash to fuel a notable bounce.
As with OTEX, Teradata shorts have been hitting the bricks, with short interest down 7.2% in the most recent reporting period. Still, it would take these pessimists eight sessions to buy back their positions, at TDC's average daily trading volume.
Plus, analysts remain skeptical of TDC. The shares boast just three "buy" or better ratings, compared to 10 "hold" or worse recommendations. Should Teradata stock resume its journey higher, a round of upgrades could lure more buyers to TDC's corner.
Speculators looking to bet on short-term upside can pick up Teradata Corporation call options at a relative discount. The stock's SVI of 21% is lower than 99% of all other readings from the past 12 months, indicating TDC's short-term options have rarely been more attractively priced, from a historical volatility standpoint.