Plus, another 25 stocks to avoid this month
Chip stocks were all the rage in 2023 amid artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. While the sector still looks promising, there's one name in particular investors may want to avoid in early 2024. More specifically, Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:QCOM) has historically underperformed in January, and seems to be sticking to this trend so far today, last seen down 1.6% at $137.99.
Per data from Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, QCOM averaged a January loss of 3.3% over the past 10 years, and finished the month in the red seven of those times. A comparable move from the security's current perch would place it below $135.
Shares are today testing support from the 20-day moving average, which has been in place since early November, as they continue to pull back from their Dec. 28, 52-week high of $146.89.
Qualcomm stock still sports an impressive 30.8% year-over-year lead.
An unwinding of optimism in the options pits could hurt QCOM. Over at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), QCOM's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.01 ranks higher than 89% of readings from the past year.
Premiums are affordably priced, per the equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 24% that sits higher than just 10% of annual readings, meaning short-term options are pricing in lower-than-usual volatility expectations.