
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:
ABT) opened at $55.08. So far today, the stock has hit a low of $55.05 and a high of $56.18. As of 1:20, ABT is trading at $56.41, up $2.55 (4.7%).
The stock is hitting a new 52-week high today after a study showed that Abbott's Xience
heart stent performed better than competitor Boston Scientific's (NYSE:
BSX) Taxus stent. In addition, two analysts have reiterated their buy ratings for ABT today. The technical indicators for ABT have been bullish but deteriorating, while
S&P gives the stock a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August
bull-put credit spread below the $50 range. ABT hasn't been below $50 since January and has shown support around $53 recently. This trade could be risky if the mid-April earnings for ABT disappoint, but even if the stock dips a little, it looks like it might find support around its 50 day moving average.
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.