Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

Buzz Stocks: Apple, Sony Corp, and Walgreens

Today's stocks to watch in the news include AAPL, SNE, and WAG

Dec 23, 2014 at 9:06 AM
facebook X logo linkedin


Markets are poised to extend their record-setting run ahead of a busy day on Wall Street. Among specific equities in focus are iPhone purveyor Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), media titan Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE), and drugstore chain Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG).

  • AAPL yesterday launched its inaugural automated security update for Macintosh computers to guard against vulnerabilities which could allow hackers remote access. According to a spokesperson for Apple Inc., "The update is seamless. It doesn't even require a restart." AAPL's trek up the charts has been fairly seamless in recent months, as well, thanks to a lift from its 80-day moving average. In fact, since climbing atop this trendline in late April, the shares have rallied nearly 51% to their present perch at $112.94. Short-term speculators have displayed a growing appetite for puts over calls, though, as evidenced by the equity's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.08, which ranks 4 percentage points from a 52-week peak. An unwinding of these bearish bets in the face of AAPL's continued climb could translate into additional gains.

  • Speaking of hackers, recently compromised SNE is threatening to sue Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) over users who have been posting screenshots of the firm's stolen emails. In a letter, SNE said it will hold TWTR legally responsible if "stolen information continues to be disseminated by Twitter in any manner." On the charts, it's been a tough month for SNE, which is down 5.5% to trade at $20.78, and option bears have been piling on at a rapid-fire rate. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), for example, SNE's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 5.62 ranks in the 99th annual percentile. In other words, puts have been bought to open over calls with more rapidity just 1% of the time within the past year.

  • WAG is ready to rally more than 2% out of the gate, after the company posted a better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter profit. Heading into today's session, the stock is up 29.3% year-to-date, and, not surprisingly, sentiment around the Street is skewed toward the bullish side. However, there are still pockets of pessimism to be found. Specifically, WAG's consensus 12-month price target of $69.82 stands at a discount to last night's close at $74.27. Going forward, a round of post-earnings price-target hikes could translate into a fresh wave of buying power for Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG).
 
 

You have the chance to join one of Bernie's most exclusive programs, complete access at HUGE savings!

As we prepare for a new administration to take the reins in Washington, the near-term market landscape is rife with uncertainty.

The Federal Reserve has already hinted at the turbulence ahead, lowering its interest rate outlook for 2025.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other transformative sectors have unlocked incredible profit potential.

But these opportunities are fleeting, and timing is everything. That's where Quick-Hit Trader comes in.

Quick-Hit Trader is designed for precision and speed, getting you in and out of the market in a flash. While other investors scramble to navigate volatile conditions, you'll have access to expertly curated trades that leverage these rapid shifts to deliver explosive profits in short order.

This is your chance to capitalize on the fast-moving market like never before. Are you ready to make your move?

 

 

(function(doc, script) { var js, fjs = doc.getElementsByTagName(script)[0], frag = doc.createDocumentFragment(), add = function(url, id) { if (doc.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = doc.createElement(script); js.src = url; id && (js.id = id); frag.appendChild( js ); }; // Google+ button //add('https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js', async="defer"); // Facebook SDK add('//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1&appId=772755279557744', 'facebook-jssdk'); // Twitter SDK //add('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js', charset='utf-8'); fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(frag, fjs); }(document, 'script'));