CVS Corp. (NYSE: CVS) opened at $31.90. So far today the stock has hit a low of $31.81 and a high of $32.28. As of 12:40 this afternoon, CVS is trading at $32.03, up $0.71 (2.3%).Shares have recovered a bit over the past few months, showing support around $31. Though rival Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX) has increased its offer for the hostile takeover of Caremark Rx (NYSE: CMX), CVS officials say that the CVS buyout offer will likely prevail due to antitrust concerns regarding the Express Scripts offer. The technical indicators for CVS have been bullish but deteriorating, while S&P gives the stock a very positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a May bull-put credit spread below the $27.50 range. CVS hasn't been below $27.50 in the past year except for a few days in November and has shown support around $30.75. This trade could be risky depending on what happens with the CMX-ESRX-CVS mess, but even if CVS pulls back some, this position could be protected by the strong support just below $28.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer (Free Subscription). DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about.
Comfort Zone Investing: The unmighty dollar
Five winners of a weak dollar
For a quick-read on the U.S. economy, check the price of gasoline
