MCD is rallying back to the price level where the news was announced back in early March that the CEO was going to retire in June. Since that time, KO (Coca-Cola), BUD (Budweiser) and other global consumer non-cyclical stocks have made moves higher and the stock market has moved back up as well. MCD is rallying to catch back up from the bad news, but you can see on this chart that there was a meaningful seller that was aggressive at the 101 level and would sell down to the 99 level on three different occasions.
You can also see that the new low in March was a washout of the previous low and set the tone of this stock into a "downtrend" which is now reversing and yet this "higher-high" is putting MCD right into "supply" where I think there is a low-risk entry on the short side.
I am only looking for a retest of the 96 level where the lowest range occurred in this last decline. I view risk normally as 3 average ranges. The 1 year avg range is 1.08/share. It looks like this rally may have some momentum to lift it back up a little further into the green circle on the chart.
By: Technical Tim, April 3, 2012 1:28PM EST
Comments
Algokid
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Agreed Tim , I too starting to be "bearish" MCD but , cautious, it had a very nice run over the past 2 years or so
Tim, thank you - great chart. Where do you think MCD is headed now ?
timwest
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I believe it is going to be in a defensive phase and decline or hold this price for the next month or two. The reason for my "guess" is that the strength in the dollar makes MCD's foreign earnings translate to fewer US$'s and the sellers that I pointed out on the chart were pretty aggressive and that stock might take awhile to find strong hands. When people look at the valuations of some of these stocks, I think they will find that there are plenty of other stocks that are far more attractive and present better risk/reward ratios. So, relative to other stocks, I believe that MCD is very expensive or "less attractive". So, if you own MCD and refuse to sell the stock down here, consider selling LEAPS calls against the position to generate additional income. Use strike prices at 90, 95, or 100. Alternatively, if you are already out of MCD and wish to find a place to buy it, I would consider selling LEAPS puts at strike prices of 75 and 70 going out 1 and 2 years. Consider WMT and look at how attractively priced it is relative to MCD for its sales growth, balance sheet strength, stability of earnings and cheap valuation.
StopPrintinMoney
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Thank you Tim, you're a great asset to all of us. Very helpful!
timwest
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You are welcome. Thank you for your kind comments. My pleasure. Tim
timwest
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Wish I had put this trade on - long WMT, short MCD. It's probably still a great trade, long term.